About the project

The Welcome to Poland programme is funded by the European Union through the European Social Fund 2021–2027 (ESF) as part of the project entitled: “Support for higher education and research institutions in assisting foreign nationals and Polish citizens going abroad”, No. FERS.01.05.IP.08-0003/24.

Project title: CSI BUT – Culture, skills and integration at BUT

Project budget: PLN 549 420,00

Project duration: May 1, 2026 – April 30, 2028

Main goal of the project:

The main objective of the project is to develop the capacity of the Białystok University of Technology to welcome and support students, researchers and staff from abroad, and to consistently enhance its competitiveness on the international market. This objective will be achieved through the implementation of planned activities, as a result of which participants will enhance their skills related to the internationalisation of the academic environment, the efficiency of the Welcome Centre will increase, and students and visitors from abroad will strengthen their sense of integration into their new surroundings. These activities include training and development support for BUT staff, as well as cultural and sporting activities, bringing together the cultural diversity of international students at BUT with the local community. In addition, the existing Welcome Centre will expand the scope of its activities to include expertise in the legalisation of foreign nationals’ residence and translation support for the University, thereby ensuring professional and even more comprehensive service for those participating in international exchange programmes. There are also plans to purchase electronic equipment for the operations of the Welcome Centre.

Target group / project participants receiving support: Białystok University of Technology staff members. 
Beneficiaries of the project activities: academic community, especially international students and guests.  

Project outcomes: 

– at least 60 BUT staff members will enhance their skills,
– at least 400 hours of training will be delivered,
– at least 500 international students and staff members will receive support and the opportunity to participate in project activities,
– 8 BUT staff members will take part in trips to international conferences,
– 5 BUT student halls of residence will be equipped with professional interpreting equipment,
– Welcome Centre will be equipped with a laptop and a tablet, as well as professional interpreting equipment.
Planned outcomes of the project in terms of internationalisation:
– BUT staff will enhance their skills in working with international students and in international cooperation; their effectiveness in working within a cross-cultural environment and in managing the internationalisation process will increase,
– BUT staff and students, as well as international visitors, will acquire skills such as openness to cultural differences, the ability to make friends and integrate into new environments, and increased self-confidence, which will translate into greater mobility in the future and an easier time adapting to new environments; the language skills of those taking part in the activities and their level of tolerance will improve;
– international students’ satisfaction with their studies and their stay at BUT will increase,
– BUT’s visibility within the higher education sector in Poland and Europe will increase, as will the University’s prestige and attractiveness on the international market,
– Bialystok and the Podlaskie Voivodeship will gain a reputation amongst international students and guests as a welcoming place.

Project manager: Marta Orpik, m.orpik@pb.edu.pl tel. 85 746 70 10