International School of Engineering at Bialystok University of Technology – students from Tianjin Chengjian University at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences

Bialystok University of Technology has launched two courses within the International School of Engineering at Tianjin Chengjian University (ISE for short). Twelve students from China are pursuing their second cycle studies in Bialystok in the field of study Civil Engineering at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences. Another group of 120 students will arrive next autumn. They will undertake first cycle studies in the fields of study: Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering.

The pandemic and the geopolitical situation have slightly delayed the arrival of Chinese students. Despite the difficulties, it was possible. A group of 12 students was able to commence their education in the field of study Civil Engineering in the summer semester. The future engineers were quickly introduced to the education system of the International School of Engineering (ISE), acquiring technical skills during classes at the BUT Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences.

It is worth recalling that the students’ arrival was possible thanks to the active cooperation of Bialystok University of Technology with universities in China under the strategic programme of the Chinese government: Belt & Road. Joint educational activities sealed the establishment of the International School of Engineering at Tianjin Chengjian University, which offers first- and second-cycle studies in Poland in four fields of study. Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering are conducted in cooperation with Bialystok University of Technology, while Architecture and Landscape Architecture are conducted in cooperation with Cracow University of Technology.

Assoc. Prof. Marta Kosior-Kazberuk, DSc, PhD, Eng, Rector of Bialystok University of Technology, convinces that this joint undertaking is unique in many respects.

– Polish universities will have a real and tangible – in the form of a double diploma – impact on educating Chinese engineers. It is a huge challenge, but also an honour for Bialystok University of Technology. The Chinese side has not only appreciated our didactic programmes, but also invited our lecturers to co-create the curriculum – explains the Rector of Bialystok University of Technology.

First cycle students are obliged to study at Bialystok University of Technology for one academic year and second cycle students for one semester. What is important, the study programmes meet the educational quality standards applicable in both Poland and China. Apart from a double diploma, future specialists can also count on other benefits.

– Staying at Bialystok University of Technology for a few months is undoubtedly a big challenge for young students, but at the same time it is a great chance to take advantage of the opportunities offered by our university. It is also a chance for personal development through getting to know another country and culture, improving English skills and many other benefits – emphasises Dariusz Andraka, PhD, Eng, Vice-Dean of the International School of Engineering.

And indeed, students majoring in Civil Engineering eagerly take advantage of every opportunity to gain new experience, especially professional ones. The classes are conducted in English, and they provide specialist knowledge in such areas as the basics of designing concrete, steel and bridge structures, masonry and wooden structures, road construction, the basics of static-strength analysis, or organisation of construction works. Students acquire new competences using the latest engineering tools and software, while exploring innovative solutions in low-energy construction, which is very popular in the construction market.

– During their stay at our university, Chinese students have the opportunity to make use of the specialised research facilities of the building structures laboratory, which allows them to study the mechanical parameters of the durability of materials and elements of reinforced concrete and steel structures. The students also have at their disposal laboratories for dynamic and static diagnostics, as well as for diagnostics and thermal protection,– says Beata Backiel-Brzozowska, PhD, Eng, Deputy Director of the ISE in the field of study Civil Engineering.

Education is conducted not only in the innovative laboratories of Bialystok University of Technology. Thanks to cooperation with companies in the region, which offer study visits to construction sites, students from China have the opportunity to learn about the profession from the practical side. An example is Rogowski Development, which hosted students from Asia on one of its construction investments. The future engineers learned the technology of reinforced concrete structures. These classes were an excellent opportunity to share professional knowledge and experience.

–  We put great emphasis on practical classes, that is why it is so important they are conducted onsite, at Bialystok University of Technology, with active participation of students, and not online – explains Dariusz Andraka, PhD, Eng, convincing that in the era of the coronavirus pandemic, Bialystok University of Technology makes every effort to ensure that classes are conducted in safe conditions.

Chinese students appreciate the opportunity to learn about the local culture, clean air and proximity to unspoilt nature. They consider Bialystok to be a friendly place to study and live in. As far as the study conditions are concerned, they emphasise the comfortable accommodation in the Student Residence Halls of Bialystok University of Technology.

Their priority during their stay in Poland is studying. They praise the quality of education and teaching skills of Bialystok University of Technology staff, thanks to which they can improve their engineering competences.

– I recommend studying at Bialystok University of Technology, says Long Wang, a student from Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. – Practical classes are of great value, thanks to which I will be more competitive in my field. You can also improve your English language skills.

Due to the covid restrictions in China, academic teachers from Bialystok University of Technology do not have the opportunity to travel to Tianjin Chengjian University – a partner university of ISE, hence the classes in the 4th semester of the first-cycle studies will be conducted online in the fields of: Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering.

– Bialystok University of Technology is ready to host students in these two fields of study from October. They will study in modern laboratories equipped with extensive research and measurement equipment. Under the supervision of the best academic teachers, 120 students will be able to attend classes that will familiarise them with issues from the areas of e.g. wastewater technology, water treatment, water supply systems, waste management or sanitary installations – says Ewa Szatyłowicz, PhD, Eng, Deputy Director of the ISE in the field of Environmental Engineering.

Confucius used to say “Choose a job you like and you will never have to work a day in your life”. We believe that thanks to the studies in the International School of Engineering, which is co-run by Bialystok University of Technology, an engineer diploma will allow Chinese students to pursue their professional path with passion.

Bialystok University of Technology has been cooperating with Tianjin Chengjian University since 2013. The university was founded in 1978 in the city of Tianjin, located 114 km southeast of Beijing. Tianjin is an important port on the Yellow Sea, a centre for oil extraction from Bohai Bay and the largest salt producer in China. There are more than a dozen universities in the city. In 2016, the population of Tianjin reached over 15.5 million.