Graduates of the ISE of Bialystok University of Technology continue their studies in the USA

The International School of Engineering (ISE), offering study programmes in Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering, has so far educated 152 engineers and 42 Master’s degree graduates.

– The ISE is an example of consistently developed international cooperation that brings benefits both to students and to the University – emphasises Assoc. Prof. Marta Kosior-Kazberuk, DSc, PhD, Eng., Rector of Bialystok University of Technology. – Thanks to this project, Bialystok University of Technology strengthens its presence in the international academic arena, while students gain the opportunity to study in an environment based on diverse experiences and educational standards.

Differences arise not only from culture, ways of thinking and language, but also from the level of higher education.

– We had experience with a double degree programme with China, under which students came to us for second-cycle studies – says Prof. Katarzyna Zabielska-Adamska, DSc, PhD, Eng., from the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences of Bialystok University of Technology, Member of the ISE Academic Committee. – We noticed then that the courses offered by us were completely different from those they had taken in China. It turned out that they practically have no laboratory classes there – all classes, including laboratory ones, are discussed exclusively theoretically at the blackboard. This shows that the standard of education in China is completely different.

Tianjin Chengjian University consistently strengthens the potential of its students. As a result, the knowledge gained at Bialystok University of Technology and Cracow University of Technology is appreciated by the best universities in the United States.

– We strive to create an English language immersion environment. We have established a centre for counselling on overseas studies and a language training centre – lists Prof. Huang Lingxiang, Dean of the ISE at Tianjin Chengjian University (TCU). – We have conducted 18 joint defence sessions for bachelor’s degree students and 6 for Master’s degree students. The overall pass rate reached 99%. Students have won 8 national and 36 provincial awards in academic competitions. 30 students have been admitted to universities ranked in the Top 100 in the USA, including 13 to the Top 50.

The number of students interested in education in an international dimension is steadily increasing.

– The scale of ISE activities is systematically growing – says Ewa Śleszyńska from the Polish–Chinese Cooperation Centre at Bialystok University of Technology. – The programme currently covers hundreds of students at various stages of education, and its structure allows for combining teaching carried out in China and in Poland. This requires very good coordination, staff involvement and organisational support on the part of Bialystok University of Technology.

Students complete courses both in Poland and in China, under the supervision of lecturers from all three universities, gaining experience in an international environment. In the academic year 2025/2026, 47 academic teachers from Bialystok University of Technology are involved in the programme, delivering on-campus classes, online teaching and teaching mobility at TCU.

– We are currently in the period of annexing agreements and introducing new changes, but I must emphasise that the programme has not lost its momentum from the very beginning – explains Beata Backiel-Brzozowska, PhD, Eng. from the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences of Bialystok University of Technology, Vice-Dean of the International School of Engineering ISE at Tianjin Chengjian University. – The differences between education in China and in Poland are substantial. As a result, we constantly encounter new challenges, which makes the project exceptionally valuable and developmental for us.

During the fifth meeting of the ISE Management Committee and Academic Committee at Bialystok University of Technology, we learned about the working plan of the International School of Engineering for the years 2025–2030. It includes, among others, sustainable construction, environmental technologies, water management and innovations in urban engineering. The plan provides for joint scientific publications, research reports and the establishment of international research teams.

– Long-term teaching cooperation creates solid foundations for intensifying scientific activities and joint participation in international research undertakings – emphasises Assoc. Prof. Marta Kosior-Kazberuk, DSc, PhD, Eng.

The ISE plans for the years 2026–2028 include, among others:

• further strengthening of student and staff mobility,
• expansion of the study programme offer to include Electrical Engineering and Digital Technologies
• deepening scientific cooperation within grant-funded projects.

– In strategic academic areas, we want to emphasise our involvement in the development of Mechanical Engineering and Transport Engineering – disciplines key to sustainable development, intelligent mobility and modern infrastructure – says Prof. Andrzej Szarata, DSc, PhD, Eng., Rector of Cracow University of Technology, Vice-Chair of the ISE Joint Management Committee. – By combining scientific potential, research infrastructure and educational experience, we create programmes that respond to global challenges while also addressing the needs of industry and society.

Bialystok University of Technology is systematically developing teaching activities carried out jointly with the university in China.

– We are also developing scientific cooperation – emphasises Assoc. Prof. Dorota Krawczyk, DSc, PhD, Eng., Vice-Rector for International Cooperation of Bialystok University of Technology and Member of the ISE Academic Committee. – Joint programmes of our scientists with Chinese partners have already started or are planned for the near future. We hope that the cooperation will be multi-level and will include various forms of exchange of knowledge and experience.

The committee meeting made it possible to assess the results of cooperation to date, present the successes of graduates and define directions for the further development of the International School of Engineering ISE, one of the key internationalisation projects of Bialystok University of Technology.

– The ISE has grown from a small sapling into a vibrant young tree that is beginning to bear abundant fruit, yet it still requires long-term care and the joint effort of all partners to become a model example of Polish–Chinese cooperation in higher education – says Prof. Huang Lingxiang.

So far, 194 graduates have completed studies within the framework of the International School of Engineering ISE, including:

• 76 graduates of first-cycle Civil Engineering,
• 76 graduates of first-cycle Environmental Engineering,
• 27 graduates of second-cycle Civil Engineering,
• 15 graduates of second-cycle Environmental Engineering.

Currently, 447 students are studying at the International School of Engineering ISE, including:

• 185 in first-cycle Civil Engineering,
• 192 in first-cycle Environmental Engineering,
• 36 in second-cycle Civil Engineering,
• 34 in second-cycle Environmental Engineering.

The meeting on 9 January 2026 was attended by Members of the Joint Management Committee and the Academic Committee of the ISE.
Bialystok University of Technology:

• Assoc. Prof. Marta Kosior-Kazberuk, DSc, PhD, Eng., Rector of BUT – member of the JMC
• Assoc. Prof. Mirosław Świercz, DSc, PhD, Eng., Vice-Rector for Development – Vice-Chair of the JMC
• Assoc. Prof. Dorota Anna Krawczyk, DSc, PhD, Eng., Vice-Rector for International Cooperation – member of the AC
• Prof. Katarzyna Zabielska-Adamska, DSc, PhD, Eng. – member of the AC
• Beata Backiel-Brzozowska, PhD, Eng. Vice-Dean of the ISE
• Ewa Śleszyńska, MA , Polish–Chinese Cooperation Centre at BUT

Tianjin Chengjian University (TCU):

• Wang Zhongliang, President (Rector) of TCU – Chair of the JMC and the AC
• Yang Jing, Vice-President of TCU – President of the ISE, member of the JMC
• Huang Lingxiang, Dean of the ISE – member of the JMC and the AC
• Yang Ping, Chair of the ISE – member of the JMC
• Wang Li, Head of the International Cooperation Office of TCU – member and Secretary of the JMC
• Zhao Guomin, Head of the Academic Affairs Office of TCU – member of the AC
• Liu Ge, Head of Postgraduate Studies at TCU – member of the AC
• Wang Jianghua, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture of TCU – member of the AC
• Zhang Hai, Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering of TCU – member of the AC
• Liu Zhihua, Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Urban Engineering of TCU – member of the AC
• Li Guangmin, Vice-Dean of the ISE – Secretary of the AC

Cracow University of Technology:

• Prof. Andrzej Szarata, DSc, PhD, Eng., Rector of CUT – Vice-Chair of the JMC
• MA Katarzyna Baron-Lisiakiewicz, Head of the International Relations Office of CUT – member of the JMC
• Assoc. Prof. Rafał Blazy, DSc, PhD, Eng., Arch., Vice-Dean of the ISE
• Assoc. Prof. Rafał Zawisza, PhD, Eng., Arch., Vice-Director of the ISE for the Architecture study programme, member of the AC
• Assoc. Prof. Katarzyna Łakomy, DSc, PhD, Eng., Arch., Vice-Director of the ISE for the Landscape Architecture study programme, member of the AC.

Katarzyna Kozioł