{"id":182665,"date":"2026-06-25T12:18:22","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T10:18:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pb.edu.pl\/2026\/06\/25\/europejski-wymiar-4podlaskie-delegaci-z-finlandii-hiszpanii-oraz-rumunii-z-wizyta-w-politechnice-bialostockiej\/"},"modified":"2026-07-17T11:02:38","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T09:02:38","slug":"the-european-dimension-of-4podlaskie-delegations-from-finland-spain-and-romania-visit-bialystok-university-of-technology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pb.edu.pl\/en\/2026\/06\/25\/the-european-dimension-of-4podlaskie-delegations-from-finland-spain-and-romania-visit-bialystok-university-of-technology\/","title":{"rendered":"The European Dimension of 4Podlaskie. Delegations from Finland, Spain and Romania Visit Bialystok University of Technology"},"content":{"rendered":"
Bialystok University of Technology hosted foreign delegations comprising local government representatives, researchers and experts in regional development and agriculture from Finland, Spain and Romania. The study visit provided an excellent opportunity to present the University\u2019s advanced research infrastructure and its role in the Innovation Ecosystem Agricultural Valley 4.0 initiative (4Podlaskie brand<\/a>).<\/div>\n
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Representatives of institutions cooperating within 4Podlaskie had the opportunity to see first-hand how science and business in Podlasie respond to contemporary market and environmental challenges. The event took place at a special moment: immediately after the International 4Podlaskie Conference \u2018Innovations in Agriculture, Food and Health. Cooperation \u2013 Technologies \u2013 Funding\u2019<\/a> (23 June 2026) and the first edition of the natureTECH Forum at Bialystok University of Technology<\/a> (22 June 2026).<\/p>\n

The foreign partners of 4Podlaskie were welcomed at Bialystok University of Technology by Assoc. Prof. Dorota Krawczyk, DSc, PhD, Eng., Vice-Rector for International Cooperation.
\n\u2013 We are delighted to welcome our partners from Finland, Spain and Romania \u2013 said Assoc. Prof. Dorota Krawczyk, DSc, PhD, Eng. \u2013 Cooperation with universities and institutions from these countries is among our strategic priorities. We are open both to scientific partnerships and close relations with the business sector. I sincerely hope that the presentation of our laboratories will translate into concrete joint initiatives.<\/p>\n

Presentation of research potential<\/strong><\/p>\n

The visit programme included tours of the most advanced R&D laboratories located at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.
\nThe guests learned about the unique research facilities of the interdisciplinary natureTECH Centre for Natural Products Research at Bialystok University of Technology, which develops and implements innovative technologies based on natural raw materials for the agricultural, forestry, food, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.<\/p>\n

\u2013 We are presenting what we have best \u2013 our research and development facilities, which directly support, among other things, the implementation of our tasks within the 4Podlaskie project. Our projects are consistent with the region\u2019s smart specialisations, the strategy of the Podlaskie Voivodeship and the University\u2019s own strategy<\/em> \u2013 explained Assoc. Prof. Monika Kalinowska, DSc, PhD, Eng., Director of the natureTECH Centre. \u2013 We are hosting representatives of strong centres operating in the agri-food and biotechnology sectors. We hope that these contacts will result in new R&D projects.<\/em><\/p>\n

The value of international networking and the potential of interdisciplinary research consortia were also emphasised by Ewa Zapora, PhD, from the Institute of Forest Sciences at Bialystok University of Technology and co-founder of natureTECH:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Representatives from Finland, Spain and Romania are partners whom we have also had the opportunity to host. We hope that these meetings will lead to concrete projects, including within prestigious cross-cutting programmes, where we have already identified international leaders. Presenting the research potential of Bialystok University of Technology is an excellent way to receive invitations to international consortia, which is crucial for the development of our University.<\/em><\/p>\n

The aim of the natureTECH Centre for Natural Products Research at Bialystok University of Technology is to intensify the University\u2019s activities related not only to the development but also to the dissemination of the best technologies in the areas of agrifood, biotechnology and food production.<\/p>\n

In the chemical, biotechnology, agri-food engineering and solid fuel combustion laboratories, as well as in microscopy and biomaterials laboratories, our researchers presented advanced technologies and the University\u2019s modern research equipment. They also discussed long-standing research into the utilisation of industrial waste and the development of solutions for its effective processing into valuable raw materials, which perfectly aligns with the principles of the circular economy.<\/p>\n

\u2013 We are able to precisely indicate to farmers and food processors real opportunities for managing waste generated on their farms and in their facilities in order to generate clean energy independently. All post-production residues can be utilised in many different ways: for food, feed, fertiliser or fuel purposes<\/em> \u2013 said Prof. S\u0142awomir Obidzi\u0144ski, DSc, PhD, Eng., from the Department of Agri-Food Engineering and Environmental Management at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences of Bialystok University of Technology. \u2013 By combining brewery and construction waste, we create valuable soil and lime fertilisers. We have also implemented technologies for producing fuel pellets with the addition of potato flour and waste rice cakes. The same raw materials can be used as components of feed mixtures or \u2013 due to their valuable nutritional properties \u2013 as a basis for producing fibre and other innovative food products.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Podlasie Ecosystem at a glance<\/strong><\/p>\n

The three-day programme of the foreign guests\u2019 stay in the region was designed to demonstrate the full synergy between science and business taking place within the Innovation Ecosystem Agricultural Valley 4.0. The main objective of this initiative is comprehensive R&D networking, connecting entrepreneurs with one another, businesses with researchers, and scientists from different academic centres.<\/p>\n

The delegation visited:<\/p>\n