Bialystok University of Technology at APAIE 2026 in Hong Kong
Participation in the APAIE (Asia-Pacific Association for International Education Conference and Exhibition), held on 23–27 February 2026 in Hong Kong, provided Bialystok University of Technology with an opportunity to highlight its presence on the global higher education map.
The event is regarded as one of the most important gatherings of the academic community and serves as a platform facilitating the establishment of educational and research cooperation between world regions. This year’s APAIE, held under the theme “Asia-Pacific Partnerships for the Global Good”, brought together several thousand representatives of universities and educational institutions from 70 countries.
Bialystok University of Technology participated in APAIE 2026 at the invitation of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange. Under the auspices of NAWA, at the stand branded #Study and Research in Poland, several Polish universities presented their offer. Together, they formed one of the strongest national representations at the event in Hong Kong and contributed to increasing the visibility of Polish higher education internationally.
While presenting the potential of Bialystok University of Technology in academic mobility, educational projects and research, particular emphasis was placed on its membership in the European University Across – European University for Cross-Border Knowledge Sharing. During numerous bilateral meetings with representatives of universities from Asia, Europe and other regions of the world, the objectives and activities of the alliance were presented, including the development of cross-border cooperation, joint study programmes and research initiatives.
– Meetings, discussions and new contacts established during APAIE in Hong Kong are already beginning to take on a tangible dimension – says Assoc. Prof. Dorota Anna Krawczyk, DSc, PhD, Eng., Vice-Rector for International Cooperation. – Together with partners from universities in different parts of the world, we are taking the first steps to ensure that the ideas developed during the conference translate into concrete initiatives: projects, international summer schools and academic mobility, which we hope will lead to long-term cooperation.
The mission of Bialystok University of Technology to Hong Kong extended beyond the APAIE conference itself. The University’s representatives also took part in PolyU Partners Day 2026, organised by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, which educates nearly 34,000 students.
– The meeting was held in an iconic building designed by Zaha Hadid. The Jockey Club Innovation Tower became not only an architectural inspiration, but above all a space for intensive networking. Discussions on double degree programmes and joint research projects laid the foundations for lasting global partnerships – emphasises Prof. Marta Kosior-Kazberuk.
Australia: building relations with the Polish diaspora and universities
The next stage of the global mission of Bialystok University of Technology was a visit to Australia, organised with the support of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange and under the patronage of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland (CRASP).
The delegation visited leading academic institutions in Brisbane and Sydney, including:
- University of Queensland (UQ) and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) – world-renowned universities with which discussions focused on international research cooperation;
- Torrens University Australia, University of Sydney Business School, University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and Western Sydney University.
Particular attention was paid to the QUT Gardens Point campus in Brisbane, where a significant group of Polish researchers work. Discussions focused on academic mobility, joint educational projects and modern models of academic staff exchange.
An important part of the visit to Australia was meetings with the Polish diaspora. Events in Brisbane (Polish Club Milton) and at the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Sydney attracted a large audience, including young people, parents and teachers interested in the educational offer of Bialystok University of Technology.
As noted by Assoc. Prof. Marta Kosior-Kazberuk, DSc, PhD, Eng., Rector, interest in the Polish higher education system, recognition of diplomas and BUT Summer Schools exceeded expectations.
– The Polish language remains alive in the Antipodes, and the ambitions of young people of Polish descent are considerable. Discussions on scholarships and study programmes delivered in English are a real step towards attracting talented students who may become ambassadors of our University in Australia – emphasises Prof. Marta Kosior-Kazberuk.
Assoc. Prof. Marta Kosior-Kazberuk, DSc, PhD, Eng., Rector, also promoted study opportunities at the University on SBS Polish radio, which broadcasts in 74 languages across all Australian states. Listeners could learn about educational and research exchange opportunities for the Polish diaspora. The broadcast featuring Prof. Kosior-Kazberuk and Dr Piotr Serafin, Chief Specialist at the NAWA Scientific Programmes Office, is available on the SBS Polish website.
Outcomes of global engagement
The participation of Bialystok University of Technology in events such as APAIE 2026, as well as bilateral meetings in Australia, forms part of a well-planned strategy to build the University’s presence in Asian and Oceanian markets.
Support from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE), and Polish diplomatic missions (Consulates in Hong Kong and Sydney) gave these activities a systemic dimension.
The results of the visits are already visible – the University is taking the first steps towards implementing the developed initiatives.
The next edition of APAIE will take place in March 2027 in Kuala Lumpur, giving Bialystok University of Technology time to turn newly established contacts into concrete, multilateral research and educational projects.
Prepared by Monika Rokicka
Bialystok University of Technology at the APAIE 2026 conference in Hong Kong, photos: NAWA social media and M. Kosior-Kazberuk and D. Krawczyk, as well as photo by P. Zabielski:
Bialystok University of Technology in Australia, photos: NAWA social media and M. Kosior-Kazberuk and D. Krawczyk:
