A delegation from Kherson State University headed by its Rector, Professor Oleksandr Spivakovsky, paid a special visit to our University to present the award. It is noteworthy that in the extensive history of Kherson State University, this award has been granted merely three times, highlighting its exceptional rarity and significance. The occasion occurred during the celebration of the 106th anniversary of Kherson State University, where the Academic Council of the University honoured our Rector unanimously.

During the ceremony, both Rectors emphasized that the war had introduced an extra layer to the cooperation between the Universities. Despite the challenges posed by the conflict, they expressed hopefulness and extended mutual wishes for an end to the war, particularly acknowledging its severe impact on the city of Kherson. The KSU itself is currently operating from accommodating facilities in Ivano-Frankivsk, offering a degree of distance from the immediate hostilities, ensuring the continuity of its operations amidst the turbulent times.

The gold medal serves as a symbolic culmination of many years of cooperation between our Universities. Since 2013, students from Kherson have been actively participating in an international semester exchange programme with us, alongside engaging in the 'double diploma' programme. The result of these collaborative initiatives is evident in the success of over 100 graduates who have obtained a diploma from our University in addition to the one from the Kherson State University.