By the decision of the Academic Council on 13 November, the honorary titles Doctor Honoris Causa were conferred upon two representatives of the University of Liverpool – a long-term partner of Sumy State University (SumDU) within the framework of the UK–Ukraine Twinning Initiative.

The honorary doctorates were awarded to Professor Gavin Mark Brown, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and institutional coordinator of the twinning partnership with SumDU, and Professor Igor Potapov, Professor at the Department of Computer Science and the lead of the research twinning partnership.

According to SumDU Rector Vasyl Karpusha, cooperation with the University of Liverpool covers a wide range of academic and research areas: academic mobility of students and staff, professional development programmes, summer schools for students and staff, active collaboration between libraries and media teams, as well as the implementation of joint research and grant projects. Among them are initiatives in digital science and digital transformation of Ukraine, involving nearly all major research and educational directions of SumDU, including the joint PhD co-supervision programme with research placements for internships on campus at the partner university.

“Over the three years of partnership, the University of Liverpool has mobilised more than 60 million UAH to support activities within the twinning collaboration with SumDU. More than 300 representatives of our university – students, postgraduate researchers, academics, and staff – have participated in the UK–Ukraine Twinning Initiative, including 80 who visited the University of Liverpool in person,” emphasized Rector Vasyl Karpusha.

Professor Gavin Mark Brown praised the high academic and research standards of SumDU scholars, teachers, and students, underlining the success of the Twinning Initiative and expressing his hope to personally visit the university of which he has now become an Honorary Doctor.

Professor Igor Potapov highlighted the importance of further scientific networking between researchers and lecturers of SumDU and the University of Liverpool, strengthening existing academic ties through joint research and grant proposals, and expressed sincere hope for continued and deepened cooperation between the two universities.

On 14 November, Tetyana Mayboroda, Deputy Head of the International Relations Office, had the honour to present the Doctor Honoris Causa certificates and commemorative gifts to Professors Gavin Brown and Igor Potapov during a meeting at the University of Liverpool campus. This moment became a symbolic culmination of three years of fruitful partnership between the universities uniting educational, scientific, and cultural initiatives, and reaffirming the deep gratitude of the SumDU community for the support, friendship, and solidarity shown by their Liverpool colleagues.

The Sumy State University community warmly congratulates Professors Gavin Mark Brown and Igor Potapov on receiving this distinguished title, expresses profound appreciation for their unwavering support, and looks forward to further strengthening cooperation and friendship between the two universities.