TNMU Establishes Cooperation with the German City of Iserlohn

On January 30, 2026, a delegation from the city of Iserlohn (Germany) visited Ternopil National Medical University to establish cooperation and discuss key areas. The delegation included Iserlohn City Council member and Head of the “Iserlohn–Ternopil” Committee Silvia Olbrich, her deputy Khrystyna Kozakul, “Peaceful Sky” project coordinator and communications specialist Manuela Bonne, education projects coordinator Kateryna Ryltseva, and social policy and youth projects coordinator Svitlana Hladun.

The Acting Rector of TNMU, Professor Mykhailo Korda, presented the university’s achievements, its material and technical facilities, and strategic development plans to the guests, emphasizing the institution’s openness to international innovation and cooperation.

During the discussion, both parties identified two main areas of cooperation. One of them concerns academic exchanges of teachers and students majoring in Nursing. Iserlohn is home to one of the oldest nursing schools in Germany, which has long-standing educational traditions. In addition, German nurses are interested in the experiences of their Ukrainian colleagues in caring for wounded military personnel.

Another area discussed during the meeting focused on developing systems and methodologies to provide psychological support to Ukrainian veterans.

As noted by Silvia Olbrich, upon returning to Iserlohn, she plans to hold a series of meetings and negotiations to identify the most optimal opportunities for developing cooperation in the aforementioned areas.

The German city of Iserlohn established a sister-city partnership with Ternopil in May 2022. The relevant decision was approved in the same month at a meeting of the Iserlohn City Council (North Rhine–Westphalia). The initiative was put forward by local Green Party leader Silvia Olbrich. Representatives of Iserlohn’s local authorities consider the establishment of this partnership a symbolic sign of solidarity with Ukraine and an important step toward the country’s recovery.