ZNU visited Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Federal FNR in Ukraine Christoph Vayl and General Consul of FNR in Donetsk Detlef Voltaire
October 8 to Zaporizhzhya National University with an official work visit made their way Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of German Federal Republic in Ukraine Christoph Vayl and General Consul of FNR in Donetsk Detlef Voltaire. The purpose of their visit was to take part in the inauguration of the exhibition of ZNU "We want to be free people! The popular uprising in the GDR 17 June 1953", unique materials which are devoted to the massive anti-government protests in the GDR in 1953, known as the "Berlin rebellion".
During his visit in our universities, Mr. Vayl conduct a lecture to students of ZNU dedicated to the current state and prospects of relations between the EU and Ukraine. Also two special guests met with the leadership of the University, discussed the prospects development of partnership between ZNU and German universities and organizations on which our students are able to pass practice and made a tour of university campus.
Visit of Christoph Vayl started with a meeting with students of Zaporizhzhya National University. 
At the beginning of the lecture Rector of ZNU, professor Mykola Frolov presented to the audience honored guests of the University - Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Federal FNR in Ukraine Christoph Vayl, Deputy Head of Zaporizhzhya Regional State Administration Andriy Zaporozhchenko, who accompanied an honorary guest during the visit, the Ambassador and his daughter, third-year student of the Medical Faculty of the University Haldeberh (Germany) Sophia – and expressed his hope for a fruitful dialogue between them and our students.
Mr. Vayl suggested to those present of the meeting choose not to communicate in lecture format, but in the format "question and answer". In a few words he described the current state of relations between the EU and Ukraine and prospects for their further cooperation. He noted that German businessmen are interested in investment to Ukrainian economy, 
therefore also are hoping for signature in November of the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine. Then Mr. Vayl offered to students of ZNU ask their questions. As it turned out, our students are interested in a wide range of issues: the impact of signing a cooperation agreement with the EU on Ukraine's economy and the conditions under which it will be possible accession of our country to European Union countries, the possibility of future visa regime facilitation with Germany. They are also interested in prospects to launch dual degree program with German universities like program that operates for several years between ZNU and the University du Maine (France), and the possibility to the Faculty of Foreign Languages with a series of lectures attended by teachers of German universities. On the last question answered Rector of ZNU Mykola Frolov, assuring that our university is working towards 
partnerships with particular German universities.
At the conclusion of discussion with students Christoph Vayl noticed: «When I see the enlightened face of young Ukrainian women and Ukrainian, the future this country does not cause me concern. However, you have to remember that it is they have to take responsibility for the further development of Ukraine in their hands, its future depends on the initiative and activity of each of them».
The visit continued with conversation of Christoph Vayl, Detlef Voltaire and Andriy Zaporozhchenko with Rector of ZNU Mykola Frolov, First Vice-Rector Oleksandr Bondar, 
Vice-Rector for Science and Research Victor Gristchak, Vice-Rector for Maintenance and Supply Sergiy Kushnir, Dean of Faculty of Foreign Languages Galyna Moroshkina, Head of International Relations and work with foreign students Olena Tupakhina, the head of of Zaporizhzhya branch of the Goethe-Institut, that functions on the basis of ZNU, Yuliya Romanenko and others.
Rector of ZNU Mykola Frolov described the main areas of cooperation of our university with the German universities and organizations. Also, Mykola Oleksandrovych told about fruitful cooperation of Zaporizhzhya National University with Institute of Facility Management (Germany), cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce Magdeburg, training our students on the basis of German companies and organizations. He also highlighted the main principles that guide ZNU during their international activities: it is - focus on cooperation 
with a particular foreign universities, creating double diploma programs, as well as equal partnerships, which would be mutually beneficial for both universities.
Mr. Vayl said that he really like this approach to cases. «I note that not all higher educational institutions of Ukraine, where I managed to get a visit, demonstrated such an initiative on possible international cooperation. Sometimes we had first make proposals for cooperation. Also, I am pleased that the meeting with your students and their questions suggested that the university ruled by the spirit of freedom, there is no censorship. I got great pleasure to visit your university», - he assured.
Mykola Frolov gave to Christopher Vayl proposals on possible cooperation with representatives of the University of Germany. Mykola Oleksandrovych also presented to honorable guest a book released for the anniversary of our university and got a souvenir from the honored guests of ZNU.
Tamila Tarasenko
