The 17th Podlasie Children’s University has begun. 250 students have started classes at Bialystok University of Technology.

The inaugural lecture was a flurry of questions: what does the Rector use the mace for? Does she always wear an ermine cloak? What kind of scientific research does she conduct? And does she join the students in celebrating the University Festival? The youngest students at Bialystok University of Technology boldly posed questions to the Rector, Assoc. Prof. Marta Kosior-Kazberuk, DSc, PhD, Eng .They proved their inquisitiveness knows no bounds!

Oliwier Biernacki, a ten-year-old from Białystok, has not yet finished his fourth year of school, but he has already started studying at Białystok University of Technology.

– I really like it here. “I’m interested in Bialystok University of Technology,” says Oliwer. – No one ever told me who the rector was. I knew who the director was, but until now, I had no idea how a university operated. I’m looking forward to the next class!

During the inauguration of the 17th edition of the Podlasie Children’s University, the children received their first student IDs and attended a lecture titled “Who is the Rector of Bialystok University of Technology?” A university leader who values learning and innovative ideas. They made excellent use of their opportunity to ask questions, demonstrating their curiosity about the world and openness to learning new information.

Are there universities in London that operate like Bialystok University of Technology? How many languages should a university head know? What do you enjoy most about your job? The Rector of Bialystok University of Technology, Marta Kosior-Kazberuk, patiently answered questions and explained the role of universities in expanding our knowledge of the world.

– These are young and receptive minds, as we saw during the inaugural lecture. During classes at the Podlasie Children’s University, we aim to harness their curiosity about the world to inspire them to continue seeking knowledge – emphasises Assoc. Prof. Marta Kosior-Kazberuk, DSc, PhD, Eng, Rector of Bialystok University of Technology. – The classes we offer them are primarily focused on practical application and collaborative exploration of the principles governing the worlds of mathematics, technology, and entrepreneurship.

In the 2025/2026 academic year, the youngest students at Bialystok University of Technology will have 15 on-campus meetings. These include classes introducing the basics of mechanics and construction, mathematical curiosities, laboratory sessions, an introduction to peer mediation, and developing personal ideas within the tourism industry. The Army Museum in Białystok and the Polish-Chinese Cooperation Centre, which will focus on Chinese culture, have also prepared their proposals. Through classes at Bialystok University of Technology, young students will broaden their knowledge of the world, learn how to organise simple projects, and develop soft skills.

– Every year, we introduce new offerings to the Podlasie Children’s University programme. There’s no room for boredom here, – says Assoc. Prof. Jacek Mariusz Żmojda, DSc, PhD, Eng., Vice-Rector for Student Affairs at Bialystok University of Technology. – I believe this is one of the reasons our project is so successful and so well received by young people.

Under agreements with partner cities, 250 children in grades 4–6 from Białystok, Augustów, Bielsk Podlaski, Hajnówka, and Siemiatycze were selected to participate in the project.
The inauguration of the 17th edition of the Podlasie Children’s University was attended by primary school pupils, along with Łukasz Prokorym, Marshal of the Podlasie Voivodeship; Jacek Brzozowski, Voivode of Podlasie; Tomasz Klim, Deputy President of Białystok; Piotr Siniakowicz, Mayor of Siemiatycze; Mirosław Korolczuk, Mayor of Augustów; and Diana Bisz from the Education and Culture Department of the Bielsk Podlaski City Hall.

For many years, we have been bringing children from Siemiatycze to classes at Bialystok University of Technology. Piotr Siniakowicz, the mayor of Siemiatycze, emphasises that there is a great deal of interest.

– I hope that through fun, engaging lectures, practical workshops, and laboratory classes here at Bialystok University of Technology, young people from Augustów will develop a passion for studying and expanding their knowledge – says Mirosław Korolczuk, Mayor of Augustów.

The Podlasie Children’s University has been operating since 2009. Its mission is to educate young people from Podlasie (students in years 4-6) and to instil in them a passion for scientific curiosity. Since the project began, nearly 2,500 young people have taken part. Classes are free and take place at weekends.

The programme is made possible thanks to the financial and organisational support of local and regional governments. The partners for the 17th edition of PUD include the Podlaskie Voivodeship, the cities of Augustów, Białystok, Bielsk Podlaski, Hajnówka, and Siemiatycze. The initiative received the honorary patronage of the Voivode of Podlasie.

Author: Monika Rokicka