Bialystok University of Technology establishes cooperation with universities in the USA

– Our visit to American universities was partly connected with the implementation of Bialystok University of Technology’s strategy, which prioritises comprehensive internationalisation, and partly with the search for new partners to collaborate on exciting sustainable construction projects, – explained Assoc. Prof. Dorota Anna Krawczyk, DSc, PhD, Eng, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation.

Until now, the university’s cooperation with American institutions has been focused on working with the University of Houston, Texas. This time, following an invitation from David Wright, PhD, Assistant Vice President for Global Education, and Peter Gorder, PhD, Head of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, the representatives had the opportunity to explore two institutions in Colorado.

During their visit to the Colorado School of Mines, they were introduced to the university’s activities, toured the campus, and visited the laboratory facilities. Potential collaboration opportunities were discussed with the heads of several departments and the Director of the Division of Advanced Materials and Energy at the Office of Research and Technology Transfer. A particularly fruitful meeting was held with Professor John Bradford, Vice President for Global Initiatives, during which they discussed possible scientific and educational cooperation in energy and sustainable construction, as well as related joint initiatives. Another valuable outcome was the contact established with Marcus Bianchi, Head of Development at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). He invited the Bialystok University of Technology representatives to visit NREL’s labs and discuss forms of international cooperation for 2024. The Colorado School of Mines is also interested in student exchanges, particularly within international summer schools and the COIL programme (Collaborative Online International Learning, which facilitates international cooperation between universities using online tools). The first group of American students and their supervisors are expected to visit Bialystok University of Technology in spring 2024.

At the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, the representatives met with Don Rabern, PhD, Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science, and Peter Gorder, PhD. UCCS is particularly interested in involving Bialystok University of Technology in joint initiatives with local businesses.

– It is worth noting that both Wright and Gorder, who coordinated our visit to the Colorado universities, heard about our institution and faculty during an educational conference in Spain. One of the presentations highlighted international summer schools conducted by our Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences within international consortia. Our activities caught their attention due to the unique and original approach to sustainable construction, particularly the interdisciplinary nature and the concept of developing research and education based on collaboration between experts from different technical fields. In this context, I am very pleased that our previous work on international projects like VIPSKILLS, GLOCAL, ADD ON SKILLS, and the summer school ‘Energy-Efficient, User-Friendly, and Environmentally Friendly Construction’ is recognised globally and opens the door to further exciting collaborations, – emphasised Assoc. Prof. Dorota Krawczyk, DSc, PhD, Eng.

by mr