University of Customs and Finance / International Relations Department

Many have already shared their reflections on this special occasion - but we decided to take a moment and look back on everything that made it so memorable.

Last Saturday, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Academy of Customs Service of Ukraine, now the University of Customs and Finance.

How could a single post possibly capture everything that happened that day?

The programme included the Customs Professionals Forum, tours of our educational and research facilities, a ceremony honouring those who contributed to the development of Ukraine’s customs service and the education of future customs professionals, as well as a festive concert and an opportunity to reconnect over coffee.

Together with us were the leadership of the State Customs Service of Ukraine, members of the UCF Supervisory Board, customs service veterans, heads and representatives of 20 customs offices, UCF faculty members, alumni, and students. All of them proudly reflected on the University's achievements and growth over the past three decades.

We were also honoured to receive video messages from UCF Honorary Doctors: Kunio Mikuriya (Japan), three-time Secretary General of the World Customs Organization; David Widdowson (Australia), President of the International Network of Customs Universities (INCU); and Professor Wiesław Czyżowicz (Poland), a distinguished expert in customs and taxation affairs.

Time will tell who will join us in celebrating our 35th anniversary.

Today, we are not just strengthening our international presence - we are actively shaping it.

Join us!

Dr Wieslaw Czyzowicz
Professor at Warsaw School of Economics and Warsaw College of Customs and Logistics as well as a former Director-General of the Polish Customs Service
Honorary Doctor of the Університет митної справи та фінансів

My Dear Friends,
I am delighted to be with you on this solemn day – the 30th anniversary celebration of a unique university, not only in Ukraine but also one of the few in the world dedicated to customs – the Dnipro University of Finance and Customs.
I have been with you for 25 years. During this time, I have not only become friends with many of your outstanding scholars, professors, and customs specialists, but have also become acquainted with this beautiful city, its monuments, and its impressive history.
Above all, however, I have lectured to students. I have striven to pass on my theoretical knowledge and practical experience to several generations of students regarding customs policy and customs law, both Polish, EU, and international. I hope I have made my modest contribution to preparing new, highly educated specialists for the Ukrainian Customs Service.
This is evidenced by their achievements in service to the homeland. It is the customs service that is on the front lines of the fight, not so much military, although many university students and graduates are fighting the Russian aggressor for the country's independence, but peacefully, to realize the Ukrainians' dream of joining the European Union Customs Union. I am certain that this dream will soon be realized, thanks in part to the intellectual, organizational, and legal contributions of our university.
I keep my fingers crossed for this and wholeheartedly support these efforts.
In closing, I thank you once again for the opportunity to offer these few words of greetings and congratulations. I express my hope for a swift end to the war with Russia and the achievement of a just peace. This will allow us to continue our interpersonal, friendly, educational, and scientific contacts and cooperation. SŁAWA UKRAINIE!

The special section of the exhibition featured works created by Design, Cultural Studies, Journalism, History, Philology, and International Economics students in collaboration with publishing representative Holger Bommer, with the support of Professor Thorsten Krings

From 1 to 5 June 2026, Dmytro Prokopovych-Tkachenko, Head of the Department of Cybersecurity and Information Technologies at the University of Customs and Finance, participated in the international workshop “AI-Driven Cybersecurity: Strengthening European Research Collaboration in AI-Enabled Cybersecurity”, held at Halmstad University, Sweden.

The event was organized within the framework of the Future Industry Research Programme and the Swedish Institute-funded project “AI-Driven Cybersecurity: Opportunities and Challenges (2025–2027).” The workshop brought together researchers, university representatives, industry experts, and research organizations from Sweden, Ukraine, and Poland to discuss current challenges and future opportunities in the application of artificial intelligence to cybersecurity, as well as the development of joint European research initiatives.

The programme included scientific sessions, roundtable discussions with representatives of SoftServe and Siemens Sweden, thematic workshops on AI-driven cybersecurity, and discussions on funding opportunities available through the Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ programmes.

Particular attention was devoted to the development of international research consortia, the preparation of joint applications for European Union grant programmes, and the promotion of academic mobility for students, doctoral candidates, and academic staff.

During the visit, Dmytro Prokopovych-Tkachenko had the opportunity to explore Halmstad University’s research and educational infrastructure, including Cisco Networking Academy laboratories, cyber ranges, modern server facilities, and innovative learning environments. The experience gained and the professional connections established during the event open up new opportunities for the development of international educational and research initiatives involving the University of Customs and Finance.

The University of Customs and Finance extends its sincere gratitude to Halmstad University, the workshop organizers, and international partners for their openness to cooperation. The University also thanks Dmytro Prokopovych-Tkachenko for contributing new memorabilia from the visit to the University’s “Academic Exchange” exhibition.

Respect, tact, and openness are the cornerstones of effective intercultural communication.

These were the key themes discussed during a meeting between students from the University of Customs and Finance and Olha Nakonechna, Director of the School of Business Ethics and Etiquette and Head of the Ukrainian House in Kazakhstan, a volunteer initiative of diplomats’ spouses.

The meeting was held within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding on Academic Cooperation between the University of Customs and Finance and the School of Business Ethics and Etiquette.

The event offered a vivid example of how theoretical knowledge comes to life in practice. Olha Nakonechna’s collection of “diplomatic mistakes” provided participants with a wealth of fascinating and instructive real-world cases. Together, they explored the reasons behind failures in high-level negotiations, discussing how a single handshake can influence the atmosphere of an entire meeting, how a First Lady’s hat once offended an entire nation, and why even the length of a letter can carry diplomatic significance.

The open lecture brought together students specializing in International Economic Relations and Finance. Despite their different academic backgrounds, the topic proved both relevant and valuable to everyone in attendance. Future international relations professionals deepened their understanding of diplomatic protocol, while finance students explored professional ethics and effective client communication in financial institutions.

Participants agreed that attentiveness to others, respectful negotiation practices, and adherence to professional ethics help foster trust and mutual understanding. At the same time, a genuine interest in another country’s culture demonstrates a willingness to build meaningful partnerships and contributes to stronger international ties.

That is why, in international communication, no detail is too small.

We invite you to embark on a culinary journey around the world. What food associations come to mind?
Without a doubt, Italy is famous for pizza, pasta, and lasagna; France for croissants and onion soup; Britain for fish and chips; Japan for sushi; and Ukraine, of course, for borshch and varenyky. But what about Germany? Bavarian sausages, you might say? Not quite - at least according to Professor Thorsten Krings!
What better way to spend the final day of a two-week visit than enjoying a delicious meal, especially one prepared with your own hands?
Professor Thorsten Krings, Honorary Doctor of the UСF, conducted a master class on traditional German cuisine for students of the “Hotel and Restaurant Business and Catering” educational program. He shared all the secrets behind preparing appetizers, salads, the main course - chicken with mushrooms in a creamy sauce - an unusual style of mashed potatoes, and a chocolate-strawberry dessert.
While the students could always turn to the chef for guidance during the cooking process, presenting the dishes proved to be a real challenge. They debated, exchanged ideas, searched for compromises, and ultimately worked together as a team - because collaboration is what leads to the best results.
Thanks to their joint efforts, every dish was ready by the time the guests arrived. The chef personally welcomed everyone eager to experience German cuisine, including Rector Dmytro Bocharov and world-renowned sculptor Volodymyr Nebozhenko.
Anyone who tasted Professor Thorsten Krings’ culinary creations could not help but admire his talent. The guests were absolutely delighted with the meal prepared by the chef - and even that hardly captures their enthusiasm.
Now we can only wonder what other talents Professor Thorsten Krings will surprise us with next!