Professor Brodowski strengthens academic ties at Kyiv summit meeting

In a festive ceremony on 10 September, Dominik Brodowski, Vice-President for Internationalization and European Relations at Saarland University and Professor of Europeanization, Internationalization and Digitalization of Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure Law, was appointed Ambassador of Mariupol State University by Rector Mykola Trofymenko. Trofymenko expressed his university's deep gratitude for the support provided by Saarland University and the entire Transform4Europe Alliance.

Professor Brodowski then gave a lecture to approximately 150 students from various disciplines, focusing on the relationship between the rule of law and education. He explained: “A basic education in law is vital to the resilience of the rule of law — and we need the rule of law to resolve conflicts, sustain peace, and promote freedom, both at the individual and the nation-state level.” He also expressed his admiration for the resilience of Mariupol State University: "It is a shining example for the whole of Europe of how tirelessly and successfully researchers, students and staff at Mariupol State University are working to promote a cosmopolitan and innovative Ukraine.”

The 5th Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen on 10 and 11 September focused on "Education Shaping the World". Its core theme was how education can be used as a universal tool to promote peace, sustainable development and global cooperation. In addition to high-ranking politicians and their partners, the international guests included experts from the fields of science and business, Anette Kroeber-Riel, Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy Europe at Google and member of the University Council of Saarland University, moderated a panel discussion on the role of artificial intelligence in shaping innovative education.

Mariupol State University is an associate partner in the European university alliance Transform4Europe, which is coordinated by Saarland University. Before the Russian war of aggression, around 5,000 people were studying at the university. After the destruction and occupation of the city of Mariupol, the university set up its temporary headquarters in Kyiv. With the support of European partners, it is rebuilding its infrastructure there. Today, it has modern laboratories for inclusive education, STEM subjects, drone technology and cyber security. 

The Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen was launched in 2021 by Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine. The Summit offers a global platform for cooperation and the exchange of ideas and aims to jointly overcome social and humanitarian challenges. The fifth summit in 2025 was attended by the partners of the heads of state from Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Lithuania and Serbia, as well as the President of Finland, travelled to Kyiv. In addition to Olena Zelenska, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was also in attendance.