3rd Forum of Rectors of Poland and Uzbekistan in Samarkand

On 13-14 April, the 3rd Forum of Rectors of Poland and Uzbekistan is taking place in Samarkand. It is one of the most important events connecting Europe and Central Asia. Ministers, rectors and representatives of dozens of universities from both countries are participating in the event. During the opening ceremony, speeches were delivered, among others, by: Minister of Science and Higher Education dr inż. Marcin Kulasek, Marcin Iskra, Director General at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Chair of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland prof. dr hab. Bogumiła Kaniewska, and Waldemar Siwiński, President of the IREG Observatory on Academic Ranking and Excellence. The University of Economics in Katowice is represented by: HM the Rector prof. dr hab. inż. Celina M. Olszak.

The aim of the Forum of Rectors of Poland and Uzbekistan is to develop partnerships, initiate joint research projects and strengthen the internationalisation of higher education. The event is preceded by the first Congress of Universities of Central Asia and the European Union, organised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of Uzbekistan in cooperation with the Perspektywy Education Foundation and the IREG Observatory on Academic Ranking and Excellence. Leading universities from European Union and Central Asian countries have been invited to participate in the Congress.

The programme of the Congress and accompanying events in Samarkand refers to the strategic EU-Central Asia cooperation agreement concluded in this city a year ago by the European Union, represented by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, together with the presidents of five Central Asian countries.

The Congress focuses primarily on strategies for cooperation between universities, including joint research projects, internationalisation of studies, development of digital and technological competences, data-driven economic transformation, innovation in technical and medical education, as well as academic mobility and EU programmes.

In the session entitled “Social and Economic Sciences. How can universities in the EU and Central Asia jointly shape ethical, data-driven, and inclusive socio-economic transformation?”, HM the Rector prof. dr hab. inż. Celina M. Olszak will participate, delivering a speech entitled “From big data to smart economic governance”.

The event has a strategic and networking character, and its outcomes include new agreements between universities as well as the development of joint study programmes and research initiatives. An agreement on direct and mutual cooperation in the field of higher education, science and culture has been signed between the University of Economics in Katowice and the State Economic University with a branch in Samarkand, with the aim of increasing the effectiveness of teaching, methodological and research activities.

Delegations at the highest level are participating in the forum, including ministers and rectors of leading universities, as well as representatives of:

the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Poland
the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA)
the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland (KRASP)

Poland is represented by economic universities: the SGH Warsaw School of Economics, the University of Economics in Katowice, Kozminski University; technical universities: AGH University of Krakow, Warsaw University of Technology, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Silesian University of Technology, Poznań University of Technology, Lodz University of Technology, Koszalin University of Technology, Bialystok University of Technology; medical universities: Medical University of Warsaw, Medical University of Lodz, Medical University of Silesia, Medical University of Bialystok; as well as universities: the University of Gdańsk and Pomeranian University in Słupsk.

On the Polish side, the event is organised by KRASP - the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland - and the Perspektywy Education Foundation, while on the Uzbek side by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.