This year, Corresponding Member of National Academy of Legal Science Professor Viacheslav Tuliakov from the Department of Criminal Law at the National University «Odesa Law Academy» temporarily left his beloved Alma Mater to take part in an academic mobility program at ESIC University (Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain). In this cozy suburb of the Spanish capital, he not only taught a course on Human Rights Law but also engaged in a true cultural exchange mission — promoting the Odesa style in education: with humor, substance, and deep respect for human dignity.
ESIC University is one of Spain’s leading business universities, known for its interdisciplinary approach and strong international orientation. Despite its core focus on marketing and management, the university actively develops academic paths in human rights, global politics, and sustainable development.
Professor Tuliakov taught students of the School of New Law — young professionals not merely learning theory but preparing for careers in international organizations, diplomacy, and global think tanks. In this setting, the Ukrainian experience served not just as an academic reference but as a living case study in resilience, dignity, and the real-time defense of human rights.
Over the course of three months, Professor Tuliakov delivered an English-language course specifically designed for an international student audience. The program included:
the universality of human rights concepts;
protection mechanisms under the United Nations and Council of Europe systems;
legal aspects of armed conflict, including international responsibility and CRSV (conflict-related sexual violence);
and case law from the European Court of Human Rights — where, by the way, Professor Tuliakov not only represents the Odesa Law Academy but also serves as an ad hoc judge of the European Court of Human Rights for Ukraine.
Within three months — four written exams. While students at first raised eyebrows («Four? Really?!»), they soon came to appreciate that human rights are not just about emotion — but also about analysis, critique, and logic. And above all, about respect, dignity, and responsibility — qualities not easily captured in a test, but clearly reflected in deep academic discussion.
The experience was documented in a personal academic report submitted to the department and the Office of International Relations. It will become a valuable guide for colleagues planning future teaching missions abroad. Additionally Course presentations are submitted to a dedicated chapter in the University Library Repository, a practice particularly crucial for legal professionals. This specialized Course containing case analyses, statutory interpretations, and precedent discussions is searchable, and accessible for future reference. For lawyers and law students, this organized collection serves as a vital resource for accessing authoritative legal reasoning, supporting continued professional development, and facilitating evidence-based practice in an ever-evolving legal landscape." (https://hdl.handle.net/11300/29339)
And from Odesa, we’re not just sending sunny greetings to Pozuelo – we’re sharing the legacy of the Odesa School of Law. Academic mobility isn’t just about Erasmus or a one-way ticket – it’s about a distinctive institutional style, shaped over decades of tradition, challenge, and the ability to uphold academic excellence – both at home and on the international stage.
