The signing of a cooperation agreement in the field of higher education between the two countries, the opening of the Polish-Turkish Studies Centre at the University of Gdańsk, and above all, the deepening of relations between the academic communities of Poland and Turkey and the development of specific tools to support institutional cooperation between universities. The 2nd Forum of Rectors of Poland and Turkey has begun at the University of Gdańsk, attended by rectors and vice-rectors from Polish and Turkish universities, as well as representatives of the ministries responsible for higher education in both countries. The event is attended by 150 participants from 79 institutions in Poland and Turkey.
This meeting of Polish and Turkish university authorities is the result of academic cooperation developed in recent years. A new phase of inter-university dialogue began in Ankara a year ago, during the 1st Forum of Rectors of Poland and Turkey, which initiated numerous joint research and teaching initiatives.
‘We are delighted to be hosting a delegation from over 60 universities in Poland and Turkey here at the University of Gdańsk today,’ welcomed the participants prof. Piotr Stepnowski. Referring to the fact that 150 participants were attending the Forum, the Rector of the University of Gdańsk noted that this was a great success in terms of attendance, and also proof that our agreements from Ankara are taking Polish-Turkish cooperation to a completely new level. ‘We firmly believe that the cooperation agreement in the field of higher education between our two countries will benefit both sides and serve as an excellent platform for developing joint research projects and even more intensive academic exchange. This is precisely the strategic objective of our forum today. We are moving from ideas and declarations to very concrete arrangements and agreements,’ emphasised the Rector.
The Chairman of the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Erol Özvar, took the floor and referred to the long history that links the two countries. ‘Let us remember that Polish-Turkish relations date back over 600 years. The Polish-Turkish Centre for Studies will expand and explore our shared past and history. The cooperation agreement signed between the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and the Polish Ministry serves as the foundation upon which we will jointly develop our innovative initiatives.’
‘Polish and Turkish researchers are among the most collaborative in Europe. Let this be a milestone that we will build upon for our future,’ emphasised Erol Özvar.
The Polish Minister of Science and Higher Education, dr Marcin Kulasek, noted that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by the two ministries demonstrates that the partnership, which has been in place since last year and will continue for years to come, will strengthen the position of both Polish and Turkish science. - Academic exchanges between students, joint research by scientists, joint projects, joint grants, including European ones. This is the direction we are striving for, which we are demonstrating and which we wish to continue pursuing together with our partners. The signing of the memorandum will further strengthen this partnership, and we will cooperate not only in the field of Polish and Turkish science, but also in the broader economy of both countries.
CRASP President prof. Bogumiła Kaniewska, speaking at the press conference, said that the 2nd Forum of Rectors of Poland and Turkey, as well as the agreement signed by the Polish and Turkish ministries, is not the beginning of the cooperation. ‘Turkey is a country with which Polish universities cooperate exceptionally closely. Many students from this beautiful country come to us. We run academic exchanges and also conduct joint research. The fact that today’s agreement was concluded at the state level, above the university level, shows us that this is the right direction, that we have the support of our ministries and our governments, and that this cooperation can develop excellently and has excellent prospects ahead of it. Therefore, on behalf of all of us - the rectors of Polish universities - to everyone, from the staff of our institutions to the ministers, and remembering the foundations that support us, I would like to thank you for enabling this cooperation to develop, and of course we ask for more.’
A platform bringing together academic communities
Immediately after the press conference, Minister Marcin Kulasek, YÖK President Prof. Erol Özvar, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Poland Rauf Alp Denktaş and the Rector of the University of Gdańsk, Prof. Piotr Stepnowski, officially opened the University of Gdańsk Polish-Turkish Centre for Studies and cut the ribbon.
The University of Gdańsk Polish-Turkish Centre for Studies will be interdisciplinary in nature and will involve the implementation of joint research and development projects, the development of study programmes - including English-language courses - as well as the intensification of student and academic staff mobility (including under the Erasmus+ programme). Another key area of activity will be the organisation of conferences, seminars and summer schools, as well as cooperation with the wider socio-economic community.
The Polish-Turkish Centre for Studies will function as a platform integrating academic communities and external partners, focusing on the development of joint grant projects (including under Horizon Europe, NSC, TÜBİTAK), the creation of international teaching programmes (including BIP and COIL), as well as the organisation of scientific and cultural events and the strengthening of academic mobility.
During the 2nd Forum of Rectors of Polish and Turkish Universities, the Polish Minister of Science and Higher Education, Marcin Kulasek, and the President of the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Erol Özvar, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in Science and Higher Education concerning cooperation in the field of higher education between the two countries.
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