On October 20, 2022, the ambassador for the Kingdom of Spain in Slovakia, J. E. Lorea Arribalzaga Ceballos and her councillor for education, Joaquín Támara Espot visited Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra with the goal of strengthening mutual yearlong cooperation and discussing further possibilities in the field of science and education.

The meeting took place in the Faculty of Arts Dean’s office and was opened by the Dean of the faculty, prof. PhDr. Martin Hetenyi, PhD. He welcomed the guests and introduced them to the representatives of the university. Vice-rector for international relations doc. PhDr. Martina Pavlíková, PhD. informed the Spanish ambassador about the university’s cooperation with Spanish scientific institutions, possibilities for student mobility within the exchange program Erasmus + and has subsequently agreed with the ambassador on further cooperation between Spanish universities and Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra based on bilateral agreements.

The vice-dean for international relations and development Dr. Daša Nováčiková, PhD. familiarized the Spanish ambassador with the organizational structure of the Faculty of Arts and discussed more possibilities for cooperation with the faculty.

The Head of the Department of Romance and German Studies, prof. Eva Stranovská, PhD., thanked the ambassador for mediation of cooperation with Spanish universities in Murcia, Barcelona, Burgos and Seville. The universities have expressed their willingness to be involved in the application for the Horizont project, Marie Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, Doctoral Networks (MSCA DN 2022), the aim of which is to create a network of universities offering doctoral degrees. The Department of Romance and German Studies was represented at the meeting by teachers of Spanish language, assoc. prof. Mirko Lampis, PhD. and assoc. prof. Martin Štúr, PhD. who discussed with the ambassador the opportunities for studying Spanish and its future prospects, as well as the necessity of supporting a Spanish lecturer.

The visit of the ambassador for the Kingdom of Spain, J. E. Lorea Arribalzaga Ceballos, has continued the cooperation between the ambassador for the Italian Republic, J. E. Catherine Flumiani, and Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra. Like the ambassador for the Italian Republic, J. E. Lorea Arribalzaga Ceballos, has agreed on specifics for future cooperation, as well as preparing her visit to high schools in Nitra and conducting lectures for the university students.

Text: prof. PaedDr. Eva Stranovská, PhD.
Translation: Mgr. Augustín Sokol
Photo: PaedDr. Peter Horváth