On November 23th 2018, the Rector of the University of Constantine the Philosopher in Nitra, prof. RNDr. Libor Vozár, CSc., received the Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Slovakia. His Excellency Andrew Garth was informed about the history of the University and its program focus. The Rector of CPU also noted that many educational activities at the University have been supported by the British Council.

The Vice-Rector, PhDr. Martina Pavlíková, PhD., informed H.E. Andrew Garth about International Projects of the University. The Ambassador expressed his endeavour to support further academic cooperation between the U.K. and the EU within the Erasmus + project framework, and he expressed the intention of the Embassy to cooperate with CPU.

Afterwards, H.E. Andrew Garth gave CPU students a lecture on Brexit. At the beginning, he mentioned that he had been in Slovakia for 4 years, several times to Nitra, but for the first time to the University of Constantine the Philosopher. In the introduction, he encouraged students to accept offers to study in the U.K. He said, ´Brexit is not the threat, it's an opportunity´. ´We need to assume responsibility for our country again, ´ he added. The lecture on the whole reflected the idea that Brexit does not mean the end of cooperation with the European Union.

He explained that students would be still able to opt for study offers in the U.K. The U.K. will continue in its research programmes with foreign scientists and continue to participate in different international programs with the EU.

By the end of his visit to CPU, the Ambassador was interviewed by doctoral students from the Department Journalism Mgr. Matúš Veselý and Mgr. Ľubica Račeková. In the interview, H.E. Andrew Garth answered questions concerning issues of Brexit. The interview will be soon published in the university magazine Náš čas.

Text: PhDr. Martina Pavlíková, PhD. – the authorized person to perform the activities of the Vice-Rector for International Relations