- A gigantic amount of work has been done in the last 20 years - we have gone from a level of a few thousand foreign students to an impressive number of one hundred thousand, reaching a European average internationalisation rate of 8.7% of international students in the past year. Opportunities for Polish science related to internationalisation, as well as the problems and difficulties facing higher education in this area, were discussed at the University of Gdańsk during the jubilee conference ‘Foreign Students in Poland 2025’ held as part of the ‘Study in Poland’ programme.
- Our university today is a place where different cultures, ideas and perspectives meet, making it a unique space for learning and development. I am sure that this is the case at every university that understands the importance of international cooperation and treats it as an inseparable part of its mission and strategy. Internationalised education, joint research projects, exchanges at every level of the academic community, international partnerships, enrich our university communities, but also change ourselves, teach us all tolerance, openness and respect for diversity - said, opening the conference, prof. Piotr Stepnowski, Rector of the University of Gdańsk. He also mentioned the challenges facing higher education in the context of internationalisation: the construction of a new strategy for academic foreign cooperation of the Polish state, the visa law under procedure, the implementation of new migration policies, challenges for the accreditation of faculties in European partnerships, and the swirling international security.
Dr Bianka Siwińska, President of the Educational Foundation ‘Perspektywy’ addressed words of thanks to the University of Gdańsk authorities: - ‘ Thank you for the effort that the University of Gdańsk has put into making this event at such a high level, and for your cordiality and sympathy, your willingness to act and innovate, your wonderful energy and dynamism. I am delighted that we have such a partner and can feel inspired. It is a haven on the map of Polish science for doing important, new things, which is always open and where you can revel in creativity and innovation. Ludwik Szakiel, Deputy Director of the Department of Economic Development at the Marshal's Office of Pomorskie Voivodeship, spoke on behalf of the Pomeranian Voivodeship self-government: - We are extremely pleased that this very conference, an anniversary conference in many respects, is taking place in Pomerania. We are living in crucial times, in which the challenges addressed by this conference, concerning attracting talent, attracting students, employees, are becoming more and more pressing.
- January 2025 is important for yet another reason - Poland's assumption of the European presidency. It is a great opportunity for HEIs, students and science so that the level of internationalisation, which has been growing steadily for years and which is facilitated by the ‘Study in Poland’ programme, is raised even higher, so that Poland, as a centre of academic education and a place for good and honest science, is recognised by Europe and the world,’ said prof. Bogumiła Kaniewska, President of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland, Rector of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań.
The guest of honour at the conference was Andrzej Szeptycki, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Science and Higher Education: - Today's conference is an attempt to summarise the previous year, which was quite dynamic and full of emotions for the academic community in connection with efforts to eliminate irregularities in the Polish visa system, in connection with work on Poland's migration strategy. This obviously had an impact on the recruitment of foreign students. A gigantic amount of work has been done in the last 20 years - we have gone from a level of a few thousand foreign students to an impressive 100,000, achieving a European average internationalisation rate of 8.7% of international students in the past year. The Minister also spoke about the crucial importance of international accreditation, the work on the European Diploma, the internationalisation of doctoral schools and the quality of service provided to international students: -It is very important that the presence of foreign students in Polish universities has a direct impact on the quality of the teaching provided in higher education institutions. Finally, he declared the readiness of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education to cooperate for the benefit of internationalisation.
The topic of the first plenary session was ‘Main Challenges of Internationalisation of Higher Education in Poland 2025-28’. The internationalisation rate of Polish higher education is 8.5% and is currently at a high level of the European average. With the cooperation and support of government institutions, non-profit organisations and companies operating in the international knowledge and education market, it is necessary to strengthen the quantitative success with a qualitative dimension. The invited speakers discussed the key internationalisation tasks facing Polish science and higher education. The panel included the heads of institutions and organisations funded by national and EU budgets: Prof. Bogumiła Kaniewska, Chairwoman of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland, Rector of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. The discussion was chaired by prof . Bogumiła Kaniewska, Chairwoman of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland, Rector of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Ludwik Szakiel, Deputy Director of the Department of Economic Development at the Marshal's Office of Pomorskie Voivodeship, Mirosław Marczewski, General Director of the National Agency of Erasmus+ Programme and European Solidarity Corps (FRSE), dr Wojciech Karczewski, Director of the National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA), prof. Janusz Uriasz, President of the Polish Accreditation Committee, and prof. Grzegorz Mazurek, Rector of Leon Koźmiński Academy. The discussion was chaired by Waldemar Siwiński, President of the IREG Observatory on Academic Ranking and Excellence, Founding President of the ‘Perspektywy’ Educational Foundation.
The second plenary session ‘Internationalisation of Research and Europe's Development Priorities’ discussed what changes Polish universities operating in an international environment can bring to change the way we think about the future in terms of Europe's development. Europe is facing the challenge of an urgent digital, energy or medical transformation, as confirmed by reports made in 2024. The conclusions of these reports were the starting point of the debate, which was attended by prof. Piotr Sankowski, University of Warsaw, MIM Solution, prof. Lucyna Woźniak, Vice-Rector of the Medical University of Łódź, Chairwoman of the Commission for Presidency and Cooperation with the European Commission of the CRASP, prof. Marcin Moniuszko, Rector of the Medical University of Białystok, prof. Jarosław Górniak, Vice-Rector of the Jagiellonian University for International Cooperation, and prof. Sebastian Werle, Vice-Rector for Science and International Cooperation of the Silesian University of Technology. A discussion was also held on how to nurture intellectual capital so that ambitious young people from abroad come to Poland, and so that Poles do not have to leave in pursuit of their own scientific dreams. The second plenary session was chaired by dr Bianka Siwińska, President of the ‘Perspektywy’ Educational Foundation, Head of the Quantum Computing Team at the Council for Digitalisation, Ministry of Digitalisation.
Session A ‘Strategy for the internationalisation of science and higher education in Poland: cooperation, synergy and directions for development’, one of three parallel sessions, dealt with issues related to international academic exchange, both of foreign students and researchers. Also discussed were paths to international academic careers and good practices in hosting students and researchers from abroad. The outcome of the session will be the development of postulates for a strategic document being created under the auspices of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The session was chaired by dr Wojciech Karczewski, Director of NAWA, and the panellists were: Przemysław Skrodzki, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Science and Higher Education, dr hab. Katarzyna Byrka, prof. at SWPS University, dr Bartłomiej E. Nowak, Chair of the NAWA Council, dr hab. Łukasz Zamęcki, prof. UW and dr Izabela Zawiska, Chair of the IROs Forum.
‘How Erasmus+ is changing higher education. From theory to evidence’ was the title of Session B, during which participants discussed how to research the Erasmus+ programme and European University initiatives. The session analysed the results of research conducted by, among others, FRSE, and the discussion was based on the presentation of different points of view. The recommendations developed at the meeting will inspire further research and publication work by FRSE. Participants in the discussion included: dr inż. Dorota Piotrowska, prof. of the Technical University of Łódź, Magdalena Sawicz, Director of the Cooperation and International Relations Office at the University of Gdańsk, Grzegorz Robak, Director of the Centre for International Cooperation at the Warsaw University of Technology, and Anna Kowalczyk, President of the Erasmus Student Network. The panel was chaired by Krzysztof Szwałek, Director of the FRSE Research and Publishing Office.
The last parallel session (session C), ‘Relations with foreign graduates as an important element of the internationalisation process of a university’, was devoted to the importance of building relations with foreign graduates as a key element of the internationalisation strategy of higher education institutions. Among other things, there was a discussion about the role of ties in creating lasting relationships with alumni, which can support the promotional activities of a university and its recognition in the international arena. Numerous examples of good practice were also presented showing how alumni relations can contribute to the development of a university and its global positioning. The session was chaired by Edyta Lachowicz-Santos, Director of the Internationalisation Office at the University of Economics in Katowice. Participants in the discussion included: Ewa Kiszka, Chair of the IROs Forum, Head of the Internationalisation Office, Medical University of Gdańsk, Anna Kiryjow-Radzka, President of the Association of PR and Promotion of Polish Universities ‘PRom’, specialist in public relations and social media, Warsaw School of Economics. dr Piotr Kępski, Director of the Office of Programmes for Institutions at NAWA, dr hab. Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek, prof. UŁ, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation of Science and Education, University of Łódź, Rene Helmans, Director of the Alumni Cooperation Office, Kozminski University.
'Winter of internationalisation or just the changing conditions of internationalisation? - A look from the perspective of the NIK, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Border Guard’ was the topic of the final plenary session held on the first day of the conference. During the session, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior and Administration, the Border Guard and the Supreme Chamber of Control presented an up-to-date picture of student migration to Poland, as well as identified risks and problems associated with this area. The starting point for the discussion was the difficult and responsible task of, in the context of global migration tensions, streamlining the visa process and harmonising the interests of universities with national security rationales. The introduction to the session was made by Marian Banaś, President of the Supreme Chamber of Control, which conducted a comprehensive audit of the MFA's supervision of consular activities and the visa policy implemented by the ministry in 2024. The panel also included: Justyna Chrzanowska, Director of the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tomasz Cytrynowicz, Head of the Office for Foreigners and Capt. Dorota Skrzypczyk, Deputy Director of the Board for Foreigners of the Border Guard Headquarters. The discussion was chaired by dr hab. Marta Mendel, prof. SGGW, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation, 1st Deputy Rector, Warsaw University of Life Sciences.
Simultaneously with the ‘Foreign Students in Poland 2025’ conference, a meeting of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland (CRASP) was also held at the University of Gdańsk.
The event was held under the honorary patronage of the Minister of Science.
Organisers: CRASP, ‘Perspektywy’ Educational Foundation, University of Gdańsk.
Partners: Foundation for the Development of the Education System, National Agency for the Erasmus+ Programme and European Solidarity Corps, and National Agency for Academic Exchange. Patronage: Marshal of the Pomorskie Voivodeship.
