Mid-Atlantic Christian University (MACU) celebrates a historic milestone as two of its esteemed faculty members represented the university on the international stage during the week of September 21. Their participation underscored MACU’s expanding global presence in both academic collaboration and archaeological research.
On September 23, Dr. Patrik Skultety, Director of Online Education and Associate Professor of Management at MACU, was honored at the opening academic convocation of the University of Prešov in Slovakia. The ceremony, which included the attendance of the Slovak Prime Minister, recognized Dr. Skultety for his outstanding contributions to the internationalization of education at the University of Prešov.
“Dr. Skultety’s active participation in faculty training and his engagement in the International Audit project have been invaluable,” said Dr. Maria Kardis, Vice-Rector for International Relations and External Affairs at the University of Prešov. “Moreover, his lectures and expertise in online education tools, learning management systems, and artificial intelligence integrations have significantly enriched our academic community.”
As part of the ceremony, Dr. Skultety formally represented MACU by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on Academic and Research Cooperation between Mid-Atlantic Christian University and the University of Prešov. This agreement paves the way for a vibrant international partnership, including:
- Faculty and student exchanges
- Collaborative research initiatives
- Shared academic materials and publications
- Joint use of library and auxiliary academic resources
Dr. Kardis added, “His dedication, leadership, and vision have been instrumental in bringing this partnership to fruition, and we are grateful for his tireless efforts.”
Simultaneously, on September 25, Dr. Robert Smith, Distinguished Professor of History at MACU, presented at the Sixteenth International Conference on the History and Archaeology of Jordan, held in Athens, Greece, and hosted by the National and Kapodistrian University.
Dr. Smith’s presentation, titled “Shared Christian and Muslim Use of the Abila Pilgrimage Complex during the Umayyad Caliphate,” drew from his nearly four decades of excavation and archaeological research at Abila, Jordan.
“MACU is grateful for Dr. Smith’s commitment to revealing the ancient world and helping us appreciate the past, with an eye to learning how to live today,” said Dr. Kevin Larsen, Vice President for Academic Affairs at MACU.
Together, these international contributions mark a historic moment for Mid-Atlantic Christian University the first time a MACU professor has been formally honored by a foreign university with dignitaries in attendance while also reaffirming MACU’s deep commitment to academic excellence and global engagement.