It was a unique and symbolic event. The rectors of the University of Białystok, Bialystok University of Technology and the Medical University of Białystok and representatives of Polish organizations in Lithuania signed a letter of intent regarding cooperation in the field of joint education, promotion of science and culture in Lithuania. The agreement was concluded on December 10, 2024 at the new headquarters of the UwB Branch in Vilnius.
The letter of intent was signed by: prof. Mariusz Popławski – Rector of the University of Białystok, prof. Marta Kosior-Kazberuk, Rector of the Białystok University of Technology and prof. Marcin Moniuszko - Rector of the Medical University of Białystok and representatives of the following organizations: Foundation Supporting Polish Education "Samostanowienie", Association of Polish Engineers and Technicians in Lithuania, Polish University of the Third Age in Vilnius, Association of Teachers of Polish Schools in Lithuania "Macierz Szkolna", Association of Polish Lawyers in Lithuania, Polish Association of the Disabled "Litpolinva", Polish Scouting Association in Lithuania, Polish Theater in Vilnius, Polish Medical Association in Lithuania, Association of Polish Scientists in Lithuania, Polish Cultural Center in Vilnius and Fundatio Vilnensis Medicorum.
The largest universities in Białystok and partners from Lithuania committed to tighten cooperation, the aim of which will be, among others, joint preparation of education programs and conducting studies for Poles in Lithuania, organizing and providing scientific and didactic support to teachers and students of Polish schools in Lithuania, organizing scientific, educational and cultural events and strengthening ties between academic communities and the local community, engaging students, pupils, teachers and researchers in educational and cultural activities. The mission of the Podlaskie Universities is to work for the benefit of the Polish community in Lithuania by disseminating knowledge in Polish and creating a platform for exchanging views. Bearing in mind the common goal of the Podlaskie Universities, which is to provide education at the highest level, jointly organize and conduct fields of study, support school education, especially the pedagogical environment in Lithuania and develop and promote science, culture and national heritage in the spirit of mutual respect, the Białystok Universities and The partners declare their willingness to cooperate in this area" -we read in the letter.
- This is an extraordinary meeting because the rectors and vice-rectors of the three largest public universities in north-eastern Poland meet at the headquarters of the University of Białystok in Vilnius to talk about cooperation with you - representatives of the community of Poles living in Lithuania, to talk about these aspects, as part of which we will make a difference, we will make young people who study here want to study in Vilnius or will think about studying in Białystok. We have really excellent universities, we provide excellent education, we have something to be proud of on a national scale - said rector UwB during the meeting in Vilnius.
It was organized at the new headquarters of the UwB branch, at Makowa Street in Vilnius. Several dozen people took part in it, including: Vice-Rectors of the University of Białystok: prof. UwB Krzysztof Korotkach, dr. Hab. Agnieszka Piekutowska, dr hab. Anna Jałowiec-Gardocka prof. UwB and dr hab. Tomasz Bajkowski prof. UwB, as well as the Vice-Rector of the Białystok University of Technology, dr hab. Jacek Żmojda prof. PB, Vice-Rector of the Medical University of Białystok prof. Adrian Chabowski, prof. Jolanta Urbanowicz from the Michał Romer University in Vilnius and the Dean authorities of the UwB Branch in Vilnius.
The UwB Branch in Vilnius is unique beyond borders. This meeting is proof of that. The phenomenon of this place is also the fact that we are constantly educating Poles who live here - emphasized dr hab. Urszula Wróblewska, prof. UwB – Dean of the UwB Branch in Vilnius.
The meeting participants could get to know better not only the Branch and the University of Białystok but also the Białystok University of Technology and the Medical University of Białystok.
- I would like to thank the Rector of the University of Białystok for inviting us here and for this initiative. We can expect and plan but until we start doing something, it won't happen and today something happened - emphasized prof. Marta Kosior-Kazberuk, Rector of the Białystok University of Technology.
- As the three largest universities in the entire macro-region, we want to be here with you and show that we are for you, your acquaintances, students and friends. We know that the choices of young people are very different. Some have plans to stay with mom and dad, others have a restless spirit and want to leave and sail out into the open sea. If they wanted to "set sail" beyond the borders of Vilnius, they could choose a really beautiful city like Białystok - reminded prof. Marcin Moniuszko – Rector of the Medical University of Białystok.
- The mission of our universities is to educate regardless of age, nationality and citizenship. We are thinking about how we could develop our mission even further, directing our cultural and scientific offer to all those who expect it. We want to hear it from you – emphasized prof. Krzysztof Korotkich the Vice-Rector of the University of Bialystok while addressing the representatives of Polish organizations in Lithuania.
The next day (December 11, 2024) a Rector-Dean meeting was held at the new headquarters of the UwB Branch in Vilnius. The Rectors of the Białystok University of Technology and the Medical University of Białystok also took part in this meeting.
