9th International Training Week at BUT
20-12-2022
Representatives of university authorities, academic teachers and staff of international cooperation offices from all over the world (e.g.: Albania, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, China, Ecuador, Estonia, Guatemala, Spain, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Costa Rica, Lithuania, Latvia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Moldova, Nepal, Germany, Portugal, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, or Italy), became acquainted with the laboratory and educational facilities of the faculties of Bialystok University of Technology, went on a sightseeing tour around Bialystok and took part in workshops and presentations organised by IRO with the participation of employees of the university’s faculties, the Centre for Polish Language and Culture POLISH LAB and the Foreign Language Centre of Bialystok University of Technology.
We started the International Training Week (ITW) on 12 December. On that day, our guests had the opportunity to get to know each other during a speed networking event organised at the start, and then present the offer of their home universities at individual, cultural stands.
During the meeting, visitors could taste delicacies from various corners of the world, exchange contacts or talk about living and studying conditions in a given country. This was one of the most interesting elements of the event’s programme, open to all those interested in culture, cuisine and, above all, the educational offer of the universities participating in the International Week.
After the official part of the event, ITW participants went on a guided tour to get to know our city and its history better.
On Tuesday, 13 December, a workshop was held for administrative staff from partner universities, and in the evening a cultural meeting was organised, with the performance of the Podlasie Folk Song and Dance Ensemble and regional refreshments.
The day ended with a festive Christmas meeting with the President of Bialystok, representatives of the University and several dozen foreign students of Bialystok University of Technology.
The guests were welcomed by the Vice-Rector for International Cooperation of Bialystok University of Technology, Assoc. Prof. Dorota Krawczyk, DSc, PhD, Eng.
– The Christmas Meeting with President is a cyclical event. It serves the purpose of integration, getting to know cultures and approaches to tradition. Foreign students are eager to show how Christmas is celebrated in their home countries. And the differences are great. Such meetings allow us to understand the customs of different cultures, – said the Vice-Rector.
In turn, President Tadeusz Truskolaski emphasised the role of the Erasmus programme and wished the participants of the meeting a merry and peaceful holidays.
– For many years, Białystok universities have taken part in the Erasmus programme. Our students go to partner universities and foreigners come to us. Our universities are able to offer attractive education to students from abroad, and during their stay in Białystok they get to know the culture of Poland and the Podlasie region, – said the President.
There were also competitions, musical performances and a Christmas Eve atmosphere over a shared meal.
The afternoon was spent learning about the history of our region – visiting the Siberian Memorial Museum.
There was no shortage of expressions of appreciation, exchange of experiences and comments after the week spent together.
During the IT week, cooperation agreements were signed with four universities: Rezekne Academy of Technologies (Latvia), University of Tripoli (Libya), Pokhara University (Nepal) and Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (Guatemala).
We are convinced that this is only the beginning of a growing international cooperation thanks to such events.
