Strengthening the potential of Polish science and higher education abroad is one of the challenges currently faced by Polish universities. The day with the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange in Gdańsk, held at the University of Gdańsk, was an opportunity to present the programmes and support offered to universities by NAWA as well as to discuss the internationalisation of Tri-City universities.
The Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange began its activity on 1 October 2017, with its main objectives comprising support for scientific excellence, the internationalisation of Polish universities and research institutions, the promotion of Poland as a country of attractive education and scientific opportunities as well as the promotion of Polish language and culture abroad.
The organisers of the Day with NAWA in Gdańsk were three Tri-City universities ─ the University of Gdańsk, the Gdańsk University of Technology and the Medical University of Gdańsk but participants included representatives of almost all Pomeranian higher education institutions – researchers and students interested in foreign exchange and mobility programmes, employees involved in issues of internationalisation, promotion or admission as well as international projects.
The meeting was opened by Prof. Piotr Stepnowski, Vice-Rector for Research and International Cooperation of the University of Gdańsk, who underlined the importance of the internationalisation of Polish universities and the necessity for the cooperation from many partners: “Internationalisation is a current strategic objective of Polish universities, including the University of Gdańsk. At present the University of Gdańsk has over 700 undergraduate and 55 doctoral students from abroad, this year we have also welcomed 14 visiting professors while 60 research and didactic staff have gone abroad to conduct classes. So far we have signed over 700 agreements with universities and scientific and research institutions regarding international cooperation. However, we wish to improve these ratios by developing international cooperation in numerous fields, amongst others through the mobility of researchers, the international exchange of undergraduate and doctoral students, internationally significant publications with a high citation ratio, placements as well as scientific programmes and projects such as, for instance, the International Research Agendas, in which we employ foreign doctoral students and researchers”.
Prof. Piotr Stepnowski also stressed the importance of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange in the implementation of strategic goals connected with internationalisation and the cooperation of the three largest Tri-City universities, the University of Gdańsk, the Gdańsk University of Technology and the Medical University of Gdańsk, in this area.
Łukasz Wojdyga, Director of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange, presented NAWA’s goals, mission and programmes and the vice-rectors of Tri-City universities – Prof. Piotr Dominiak, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation and Innovation of the Gdańsk University of Technology, and Prof. Tomasz Bączek, Vice-Rector for Research of the Medical University of Gdańsk, presented the significant activities and achievements of their universities with regard to internationalisation. Foreign students constitute over 17 percent of all students of the Medical University of Gdańsk, making it the most internationalised university in Pomerania, while the Gdańsk University of Technology offers courses in English in 19 programmes of first-cycle and second-cycle studies and can currently boast a total of 771 foreign students.
One of the guests also included Ludwik Szakiel, Deputy Director for Economic Promotion of the Department of Economic Development at the Pomeranian Voivodeship Marshal’s Office and coordinator of the Study in Pomorskie programme, who presented the activity of the Marshal’s Office with regard to providing support for the internationalisation of Pomeranian universities, including cooperation with businesses, and clearly stressed the role of foreign students in the strengthening of the development potential of the Pomeranian Voivodeship.
Presentations had been prepared for participants in the Day with the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange at the University of Gdańsk, on the topic of NAWA’s activity and programmes, such as, for example, “Polskie Powroty” (Polish Returns), exchange as part of bilateral cooperation or mid-term trips by doctoral students. Anna Chylak, Head of NAWA’s Communication and Promotion, presented the possibilities and support offered by NAWA with regard to promoting Polish higher education abroad (international fairs and the Ready, Study, Go! Poland campaign). Anna Balcerzak from NAWA’s Programmes for Institutions presented programmes such as International Academic Partnerships, Welcome to Poland, the PROM Programme – scholarship exchange for doctoral students and researchers, Foreign Alumni or the STER Programme – international third-cycle studies. Marta Klimaszewska from NAWA spoke on academic recognition and the authentication of documents.
A press briefing was held during a break, attended by representatives of Tri-City universities – Prof. Piotr Stepnowski, Vice-Rector for Research and International Cooperation of the University of Gdańsk, Prof. Piotr Dominiak, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation and Innovation of the Gdańsk University of Technology and Prof. Tomasz Bączek, Vice-Rector for Research of the Medical University of Gdańsk as well as Mr Łukasz Wojdyga, Director of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange and Mr Ludwik Szakiel, Deputy Director for Economic Promotion of the Department of Economic Development at the Pomeranian Voivodeship Marshal’s Office.
The day with NAWA in Gdańsk was held at the Faculty of Biology of the University of Gdańsk.
Information on NAWA: https://nawa.gov.pl/
Dr Beata Czechowska-Derkacz, University of Gdańsk spokesperson
