The comprehensive offer that will attract young people to Białystok for the duration of their studies but will also inspire them to stay in the city and region after completing their education was discussed on Wednesday, March 5 this year by the rectors of the three largest universities in the region, the authorities of Białystok and representatives of the Marshal's Office. The meeting was held at the University of Białystok. The first specifics are already there. A team will be established to take specific actions promoting the universities, the city and the region.
- This meeting is co-organized by the three largest universities in the Podlaskie Province and its aim is to discuss specific proposals for actions that will convince young people that it is worth studying in Białystok, that it is worth studying in the Podlaskie Province. If we manage to achieve this goal, there is a huge chance that the young people who studied at our universities will stay in the region: live and work here - said prof. dr hab. Mariusz Popławski, Rector of the University of Białystok, welcoming the guests.
The meeting was also attended by prof. dr hab. Marcin Moniuszko - Rector of the Medical University of Białystok, dr hab. inż. Jacek Mariusz Żmojda, prof. PB - Vice-Rector of the Białystok University of Technology for Student Affairs, prof. UwB Tomasz Bajkowski - Vice-Rector of the University of Białystok for Development, the Mayor of the city of Białystok Tadeusz Truskolaski and his Deputy Rafał Rudnicki, as well as representatives of the Marshal's Office: Katarzyna Jamróz - Deputy Director of the Office of Management of the Promotion of the Province, Ewa Suprynowicz - Director of the Office of Management of the Promotion of the Province, Karolina Perkowska - Director of the Department of Funds and Programs Management and student Emilia Ramatowska - the Marshal's proxy for cooperation with youth. The meeting - which was of a working nature - was also attended by representatives of university departments and offices of promotion and recruitment. And in such a group, a discussion took place on specific promotional proposals prepared by the University of Białystok, the Białystok University of Technology and the Medical University of Białystok. These included, among others, an internet campaign and a film promoting Białystok and the province as a dynamic and modern educational center, a special trade fair stand "Study in Białystok. Study in Podlaskie", the Białystok Student Card, Student October in Białystok, the Academic Tour - a specially marked bus that would visit selected cities and towns, the Academic Bus Line, the Student Zone - a space for creativity and the mobile application "Białystok in your pocket".
It is worth investing in the promotion of universities, in attracting students to Białystok. One złoty invested in science - this is empirical data - returns from 4 to 7 złoty in the economy. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am convinced that every złoty we spend on the promotion of studies in our region will return tenfold. We, as universities, undertake promotional activities but I am convinced that if we work together, the effect we will achieve will be more satisfactory - emphasized prof. Mariusz Popławski during the meeting.
- The fact that we are here together is a great success. It is not that we have done something wrong so far but we should prepare for more difficult times when there will be fewer high school graduates. The declared support of the President and the Marshal is incredibly important - said prof. Marcin Moniuszko, Rector of UMB.
The meeting participants pointed out that it is worth involving students in the proposed activities because young people are most easily reached by young people. It is also important to diagnose how Białystok and the region are seen by future students what attracts them and what should be improved. There was also a proposal to mark events in the city and region that concern young people with the slogan: Study in Białystok. Study in Podlaskie.
- It is important to encourage studying but also to make the city of Białystok an attractive place to live, cheap, accessible by transport. These are the things that young people pay attention to. There are questions about places where they can spend their free time where they can meet - pointed out prof. Mariusz Żmojda, Vice-Rector of the Białystok University of Technology.
- We need to think of universities not only as places of education but also as institutions that can contribute to young people staying in the region or attracting students from other parts of the country - said Karolina Perkowska, representative of the Marshal's Office who is responsible for the development strategy of the Podlaskie Voivodeship.
The UwB guests agreed that cooperation between local governments and universities is necessary which is why the meeting ended with a decision to establish a special team that will take care of specific actions. It will be composed of representatives of UwB, PB, UMB, the City Office in Białystok, the Marshal's Office of the Podlaskie Voivodeship, as well as students and pupils. The first meeting is to take place this month. The team coordinator is the deputy mayor of Białystok, Rafał Rudnicki.
During the meeting, the Mayor of Białystok, Tadeusz Truskolaski, reminded that supporting young people is not an expense but an investment in the future because it is followed by, among other things, the development of housing construction, new jobs, taxes.
- This is how we give a chance to this city and region which is currently in a very difficult geopolitical situation - unfortunately. I hope that this will change quickly and what is a barrier will become a positive factor - emphasized Tadeusz Truskolaski.
