From 28 May to 3 June 2026, Abdullah Gül University in Kayseri, Türkiye, hosted the second part of the international Polish-Turkish School, organised within the framework of the PROM programme. The event followed the first stage of the programme, which took place at the University of Zielona Góra in March this year.
The Polish side of the project was coordinated by Dr Magdalena Pokrzyńska, in cooperation with Prof. Sylwia Kondej, while the Turkish component of the programme was led by Dr Yasin Turan of Abdullah Gül University.
The programme brought together students from the University of Zielona Góra representing a range of academic disciplines, including Sociology, Special Education, Logistics, and Biotechnology. During their stay in Kayseri, participants attended classes and workshops and met with students from Abdullah Gül University as well as local residents taking part in language courses offered by the host institution.
As a result, the programme became a vibrant platform for intercultural dialogue, academic exchange, and the sharing of experiences.
An important component of the school was its academic programme, which included lectures and scholarly meetings. Particular attention should be given to the online lecture delivered by Prof. Barbara Literska, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Quality of Education at the University of Zielona Góra, dedicated to the work of the Polish composer Tadeusz Baird.
The lecture enriched the programme by highlighting cultural connections between Poland and Türkiye, reminding participants that Baird's music became the inspiration for a poem by Nâzım Hikmet, one of the most prominent Turkish poets of the twentieth century.
The programme also featured numerous meetings with representatives of the International Office of Abdullah Gül University. These sessions provided an opportunity to exchange experiences in the field of university internationalisation and to discuss prospects for further cooperation between the two institutions.
As part of the programme, Kamila Rabiko from the International Relations Office of the University of Zielona Góra delivered an online presentation showcasing the University's educational offer and its international activities.
The visit to Türkiye also created an opportunity to meet Utku Özkan and Elif Şahin, alumni of Abdullah Gül University who had previously studied and completed Erasmus+ traineeships at the University of Zielona Góra during the 2021/2022 academic year. Thanks to their support and commitment, the UZ delegation was also able to visit a unique private educational institution in Kayseri that provides education from pre-school to secondary level.
The school was not limited to its academic dimension. It also offered participants a rich social and cultural experience. Students had the opportunity to explore the history and heritage of Cappadocia, visiting its famous underground cities and extraordinary geological formations.
Shared excursions and informal meetings fostered integration and provided participants with a deeper understanding of Turkish culture and everyday life.
Both parts of the programme, implemented with the support of the PROM project, enabled students to gain new experiences, engage with a different culture, and strengthen cooperation between the University of Zielona Góra and Abdullah Gül University.
The Polish-Turkish School is another international initiative organised as part of the celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the University of Zielona Góra, further demonstrating the University's commitment to internationalisation and intercultural cooperation.
