Honorary doctorate for Schulte-Nölke: A sign of hope for Ukraine

Honorary doctorate for Schulte-Nölke: A sign of hope for Ukraine

On May 20, 2025, Professor Dr. Hans Schulte-Nölke from the West Ukrainian National University (WUNU) was awarded the title of “Doctor honoris causa”. Rector Oksana Desyatnyuk announced the honorable award, which was given due to Schulte-Nölke's exceptional achievements in researching and teaching European private law as well as his promotion of cooperation between universities. This extraordinary ceremony took place at the University of Osnabrück, as the Ukrainian delegation was unable to travel to their home university in Ternopil due to the current war.

The award was part of a four-day conference dealing with European Union law and its importance for Ukraine. Many honored guests from Ukraine were present, despite the difficult conditions. Professor Dr. Susanne Menzel, President of the University of Osnabrück, expressed her gratitude for the participation of the Ukrainian guests and highlighted their commitment, despite difficult circumstances. She emphasized that the University of Osnabrück had accepted nine scientists from Ukraine as part of the Philipp Schwartz Initiative, which supports refugee scientists - more than any other German university.

The West Ukrainian National University

WUNU, located in Ternopil, Ukraine, was founded in 1966 and received university status in 2005. On August 25, 2020, the name was changed to West Ukrainian National University. In 2024, WUNU was ranked 14th among 200 universities in Ukraine and received special recognition in several national and international rankings. In addition to strengthening academic teaching, WUNU also offers numerous programs to promote international cooperation. There are over 160 collaborations with universities in 41 countries, and the university is active in exchange programs such as Erasmus+ and DAAD.

With an enrollment of over 5,800 students and an academic staff of 640 members, including 150 Doctors of Science, WUNU offers a wide range of degree programs. The most sought-after study programs include “Customs and Taxation”, “Law Enforcement” as well as “Psychology” and “Marketing”. Additionally, the university is known for its state-of-the-art facilities, including dormitories, sports facilities and an extensive library with over 685,000 items.

Schulte-Nölke's influence and commitment

In his acceptance speech, Professor Schulte-Nölke, who has spent his academic career at various international institutions, emphasized the admirable work of Ukrainian researchers and teachers who, despite challenging circumstances, are working to implement constitutional principles. He expressed hope for future peaceful cooperation in Ternopil. This exchange is important not only for the Ukrainian side, but also for the European partners who recognize the value of intercultural academic cooperation.

In summary, it can be said that the honorary doctorate for Professor Schulte-Nölke is not only a personal award, but also a symbol of the important cooperation between academic institutions in difficult times.