Rector of the National Technical University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» Yevgen Sokol took part in the ceremony of signing the updated Magna Charta Universitatum. The event took place at the University of Lodz (Poland). The Magna Charta Universitatum was first signed in 1988 in Bologna, Italy, and revised in 2020. The document defines the basic principles of higher education for the coming decades and is the basis of the mission and activities of universities. Currently, its signatories are 950 rectors around the world. It should be noted that for the first time in the history of the Charter, it was presented in Ukrainian language. In addition, Rector Yevgen Sokol and Vice-rector Gennadiy Khrypunov took part in the international conference «Universities and Re-Construction of Cities: the Role of Research and Education», where they presented an innovative project of Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute scientists on energy efficiency in Kharkiv.
Each year, Magna Charta Universitatum Observatory organizes an international conference to discuss contemporary challenges to upholding fundamental values and serving society responsibly, and holds a solemn ceremony of signing the Magna Charta Universitatum. This year’s conference and ceremony took place in Lodz, Poland. The aim of the conference was to enable universities to respond more effectively to the challenges they face and foresee, and to strengthen their ability to uphold fundamental values for the benefit of society in the face of global challenges and transformations. The theme of the 2023 conference was «Universities and Re-Construction of Cities: the Role of Research and Education». The event featured renowned international speakers who shared their views and held discussions. More than 130 participants representing educational institutions from 37 countries had the opportunity to interact closely during various small group discussions.
The conference was attended by Yevgen Sokol, Rector of NTU «KhPI», and Gennadiy Khrypunov, Vice-rector for International Relations of the university. They presented an innovative project developed by the university’s researchers, Kharkiv Energy Efficient, dedicated to ensuring the sustainable development of Kharkiv in the post-war recovery.
The conference marked a significant event for global higher education – the rectors of the world’s leading universities solemnly signed the updated Magna Charta Universitatum MCU2020. This document defines the basic principles of higher education for decades. The ceremony took place at the Magna Charta Observatory and the University of Lodz. It was attended by the Rector of the National University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» Yevgen Sokol.
The Magna Carta Universitatum was first signed in 1988 in the presence of many political leaders and representatives of society and revised in 2020. The purpose of the revision is to reflect the changes in the world that universities are facing. It has now been signed by more than 950 university leaders from around the world. The Magna Carta Universitatum is based on the principles of academic freedom and institutional autonomy as a guideline for effective management and development of universities. It should be noted that for the first time this year this document (in addition to English and Polish) was presented in Ukrainian language, which demonstrates the solidarity of the international university community with Ukrainian universities. The support of Ukrainian universities was declared not only from the conference tribune, but also during the meeting of the Rector of the university Yevgen Sokol with the General Secretary of Magna Charta Observatory David J. Lock.
To watch the video broadcast of the signing of the Magna Charta Universitatum, please follow the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMFI218nxKA