Young PoloniaTech Academy at Bialystok University of Technology

Workshops devoted to innovation and new technologies, classes in communication and Podlasie dialect, integration exercises with students of the Academic Secondary School of Bialystok University of Technology, presentations of achievements by young people from the Podlasie region, and trips into the city’s history — all this awaits the participants of the Young PoloniaTech Academy at Bialystok University of Technology over the next two weeks.

– I really like the university – admits Evelina Tsipko, a high school student from Horodok in Podolia. – I can already see that the level of education is very high, and the lecturers explain things very clearly.

Evelina speaks Polish fluently and is considering studying at Bialystok University of Technology.

– I like that the student residence halls are close to the university – it’s a great place to study – says the young Polish girl from Ukraine. – I really like Bialystok, and people here are very friendly.

The 36-member group began by exploring biotechnology prospects during a lecture by Assoc. Prof. Elżbieta Wołejko, DSc, PhD, Eng. from the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences of Bialystok University of Technology, and then visited the university’s laboratories.

– I came to Bialystok because I’m considering studying biotechnology in Poland – says Ernest Ilukovič from the John Paul II Secondary School in Vilnius.

Before coming to Bialystok, young Poles from Vilnius took part in online interviews to assess their knowledge of the language of their ancestors. They are doing very well at the university.

– I filled out a questionnaire at school because I’m interested in physics, chemistry, and biology – explains Maria Roščinska, a student from Vilnius. – I’m considering studying in Poland, and now I have the opportunity to explore all study programmes at Bialystok University of Technology.

Dmytro Veiko from Horodok was fascinated by the biotechnology laboratories and easily communicated with students.

– I would like to become a massage therapist or physiotherapist – says the high school student. But he watched the laboratories of Bialystok University of Technology with a spark in his eye.

– The young people will get to know Bialystok as a place to study and experience student life. They will also go on trips to Warsaw, see the natural treasures of Białowieża, and visit the Museum of Siberian Memory to learn about the difficult history of Poles in the East – says Paweł Malinowski, Deputy Head of the Academic Secondary School of Bialystok University of Technology. – The Polish diaspora will discover a modern country that offers them excellent prospects, and who knows — perhaps they will come to study with us?

The Young PoloniaTech Academy project is being implemented with the participation of the Academic Secondary School of Bialystok University of Technology, whose students are engaged in cultural and linguistic exchange as well as integration activities with their peers from abroad. The programme includes:

• Integration meeting “Let’s get to know each other” – exercises with a moderator to help create a well-integrated group ready for further cooperation
• Board game and puzzle tournament
• Sports tournament (organised by the Physical Education and Sports Centre)
• Motivational and development workshops:

– “How to Achieve Success” – a class led by Adam Zdanowicz, a Bialystok native and graduate of Bialystok University of Technology, a world-renowned creator of custom bicycles,

– “Unconventional Polish Communication” – a session aimed at presenting contemporary Polish language, including youth slang and borrowings from other languages. The special guest will be social media creator Karol Stefanowicz – “Kolorek07”, who will introduce participants to the Podlasie dialect.

The visit of young Poles to Bialystok University of Technology will culminate in the Young Polonia Project Day Gala, attended by representatives of the university authorities and local government. During the event at the Centre for Modern Education of Bialystok University of Technology on 17 October, the participants will present the outcomes of their activities and projects. One of the attractions will be a concert by the band Szklanki w garażu from the Academic Secondary School of Bialystok University of Technology.

Bialystok University of Technology supports foreign nationals through many initiatives, including the POLISH LAB – Centre for Polish Language and Culture. Operating within the Foreign Language Centre, the Centre integrates the international community through Polish language learning and activities promoting Polish culture and traditions.

Bialystok University of Technology attaches great importance to the highest quality of education. As many as nine study programmes have received the EUR-ACE® Label – European Quality Certificate, enabling graduates to apply for the title of European Engineer. In addition, the programmes offered by the Faculty of Engineering Management hold international accreditations that allow graduates to enter the global job market.

The University’s internationalisation strategy is also reflected in cooperation with foreign universities within the European University Across alliance.

The Young PoloniaTech Academy project is implemented jointly with the “Wspólnota Polska” Association, a non-governmental organisation whose goal is to strengthen ties with Poland among people of Polish origin and Poles living abroad.

The project has received PLN 345,580 in funding from the state budget as a targeted grant under the Senate of the Republic of Poland’s programme of care for the Polish diaspora and Poles abroad. The total value of the project is PLN 370,380.

(jd)