The conference Foreign Students in Poland 2025, organised as part of the Study in Poland programme, has already gone down in history. This year's edition was hosted by the University of Gdansk, and Poznan University of Technology was represented by His Magnificence the Rector, Prof. Teofil Jesionowski, the Vice Rector for International Relations, Prof. Mariusz Głąbowski, as well as representatives of the International Relations Office and the EUNICE European University Office.
This year's edition of the conference coincided with two anniversaries: The 20th anniversary of the ‘Study in Poland’ programme, run jointly by the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland and the Educational Foundation ‘Perspektywy’, and the 55th anniversary of the University of Gdansk.
The twenty-year history of the ‘Study in Poland’ programme is a true success story of the internationalisation of Polish higher education. When in 2005 the Educational Foundation ‘Perspektywy’ together with the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland established this programme, there were only eight thousand foreigners studying in Poland; today there are more than one hundred thousand - said Waldemar Siwiński, the President-Founder of the Educational Foundation ‘Perspektywy’ during the press conference.
The three intensive days provided participants with many reflections on the internationalisation of Polish universities, but also reasons to be proud. Although much has been achieved, there are still many challenges on the horizon for the entire academic community.
The conference was preceded by a side event entitled ‘European and National Funds for the Internationalisation of Polish Universities’. It was an excellent opportunity to learn about opportunities for additional funding for various activities under the Erasmus+ Central Actions, Horizon Europe (the National Centre for Research and Development), the NAWA programme or structural and regional funds for education and research.
The conference was officially opened on Thursday, 30 January. It brought together many distinguished special guests, including Professor Andrzej Szeptycki, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland; Dr Karolina Zioło-Pużak, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education; directors of institutions such as NAWA or FRSE; rectors and pro-rectors of public and non-public universities. In total, the meeting was attended by more than 350 participants from over 60 HEIs in Poland - Gdansk attracted a huge group of representatives of the academic community contributing to the internationalisation of science and higher education every day.
During the conference, participants had the opportunity to take part in a number of inspiring plenary sessions, with the participation of prominent figures from the Polish higher education internationalisation scene or representatives of ministries.
The session entitled. ‘Key to the ‘Horizon’ - How to increase the effectiveness of Polish universities in EU grant competitions?’ was chaired by the JM Rector, Prof. Teofil Jesionowski. During the session, JM Rector, together with panellists - heads of Polish scientific and research representations in Brussels and Warsaw and rectors of leading technical universities in Poland - considered how the Polish system of science and innovation can more effectively support universities in obtaining European grants and also build strong European consortia with Polish participation. All attendees agreed that Polish universities have a huge research potential, which allows them to reach for European grants without any shame, while pointing out the need to increase participation in this area and to move forward boldly.
In the plenary session entitled. ‘European Universities: Quo vadis? On the future of the European Universities Initiative from different perspectives', EUNICE Secretary General Magdalena Sikorska provided a perspective of the EUNICE consortium related to the legal status of the alliance and the governance structure of the alliance. She also shared her professional history, emphasising that women in administrative positions in higher education not only can, but should, ambitiously develop their careers and reach for their dreams without hesitation.
This year's edition also featured a gala during which the traditional INTERSTUDENT and Internationalisation Stars awards were handed out. These awards were presented to the best foreign students in Poland and to individuals from the Polish academic community who make an exceptional contribution to the internationalisation of Polish universities.
We would like to thank the University of Gdansk and the Perspektywy Foundation for their warm welcome and fantastic organisation of the event.
We return full of inspiration and positive energy, with the still resonating words of the Rector of UG, Prof. Piotr Stepnowski: ‘I think the conference has really enriched us. I hope you leave Gdansk with the conviction that despite the difficult times and challenges of internationalisation, we will not be so easily defeated, whatever this ‘dragon’ is that we are fighting.’
We invite you to watch a short video report of the event here.
Photo gallery here.