It is not at all necessary to be fluent in Polish to study in our country. An increasing number of international students, including a growing population of Polish emigrants’ children from different nations, are finding out about this, writes Prof. Paweł Śnitała, Vice-Rector for International Exchange at the Poznań University of Technology.

Polish universities are not standing still and are sometimes developing more impressively than the major academic centres in 'old’ Europe. What makes us stand out is our highly advantageous price-quality ratio. Our country offers an affordable cost of education and living for students, while maintaining high standards of quality in education, research facilities, and overall quality of life. According to statistics from the OECD, our country stands out as one of the safest places in the world to reside. This is a significant factor for parents who are entrusting their children to study abroad. Especially for parents of Polish origin. I am always astonished when I take part in different educational fairs abroad, particularly in the USA, by the limited awareness that Polish expatriates still have about the potential of Polish universities. Many people are often unaware that studying in our country is free for people with Polish citizenship, which is highly appealing compared to the expenses of studying in countries like the USA or the United Kingdom.

It is worth noting that our range of English-taught programs is quite extensive, and this can be particularly beneficial for Polish parents who are raising their children abroad and may not have regular contact with the Polish language.

We try to respond on an ongoing basis with our new courses to the new challenges of today. I see this, particularly in computer science, which is very close to my research interests, and especially in the currently fashionable subjects of artificial intelligence or cyber security. Polish researchers in this field are among the world leaders. It is worth noting that the Poznań University of Technology, which I represent, was the first university to open a master’s degree course in Artificial Intelligence, and among the most frequently cited authors in this field are professors from our university.

We are the only leader of the European University in Poland – a consortium of 10 European universities. We are also supported in these activities by the National Agency for Academic Exchange. The 'Nawa Ster’ program has greatly facilitated international collaboration among our doctoral students. Additionally, we have successfully broadened our international teaching network through programs like 'Nawa Spinaker’ and 'Nawa Strategic Partnership’. An example of this is the launched English-language master’s programme – cyber security, run jointly with foreign partners.

The number of international students at our university has doubled in just four years, highlighting the growing appreciation for our institution among students from abroad. They greatly value our location, which is conveniently situated halfway between Berlin and Warsaw. Additionally, the vibrant student atmosphere of the city is highly revered (we proudly boast the highest number of students per 1,000 inhabitants in Poland), along with our exceptional educational offerings.

I am confident that this will also be highly valued by the young children of Polish emigrants, should they choose to pursue their studies in their homeland. For those who are undecided, I particularly recommend coming to Poland for the so-called Summer School, which is a several-week summer course. Prospective university applicants have the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the vibrant studying conditions in Poland, delve into captivating scientific topics, and explore fascinating locations. Several Polish universities cooperate to organize summer schools covering various themes, depending on the interests of the group. Students at the Summer School get to know the campus, the lecturers, the level of education, and the academic facilities and make interesting contacts with young people from all over the world. If, after experiencing our university, they discover that it is the right fit for them, they have the opportunity to apply for regular studies, available in both Polish and English.

They may be convinced by the high level of education we possess, the state-of-the-art laboratories we have at our disposal, or even by the unique combination of owning an airport that doubles as a science laboratory. Most importantly, they will have the opportunity to discover the beauty of Poland – in countless instances, the very land of their forefathers.

Author: Prof. Paweł Śniatała

Photo: Pixabay

Article has been firstly published on DlaPolonii.pl