Internationalization remains one of the top priorities for the University of Zielona Góra (UZ). This is further evidenced by a recent multi-day visit by UZ authorities to three universities in Turkey. The main objective of the trip was to discuss the continuation of joint efforts toward developing international academic cooperation.
On the first day, the delegation from Zielona Góra visited Gaziantep University (GAÜN). This public institution currently boasts 20 faculties, serving 45,000 students and employing 2,000 academic staff. The meeting between the authorities of both academic centers provided an opportunity to review and discuss existing agreements. The talks resulted in arrangements to tighten bilateral cooperation across various disciplines and to diversify the involved faculties. The Rector of GAÜN, Prof. Sait Mesut Doğan, stated that collaboration with the University of Zielona Góra will bring mutual scientific and cultural contributions.
The next stop on the itinerary was Hasan Kalyoncu University (HKU), the first private university established in the Southeastern Anatolia region. Located on the historic Silk Road, the university operates under the Gaziantep Education and Service Foundation (Gaziantep Eğitim ve Hizmet Vakfı).
"We aim to strengthen our long-standing cooperation with the University of Zielona Góra. In addition to expanding the number of joint faculties and boosting mobility within the Erasmus+ program, we are striving for joint participation in more complex international initiatives, such as Horizon Europe, KA2 projects, and joint certification programs," explains Prof. Gül Rengin Küçükerdoğan, Acting Rector of HKU.
On the third day, representatives from the University of Zielona Góra visited Harran University. Established in 1992, this state university offers a wide range of education across 14 faculties, with a particular focus on health sciences, engineering, and agriculture. The university is located in Şanlıurfa. A key highlight of the visit was an official ceremony held in the Senate Hall at the Rectorate of the Osmanbey Campus.
During each meeting, new protocols were signed to further advance academic cooperation.
"We have been collaborating with two of the universities we visited for over ten years, a partnership originally rooted in the Erasmus program. The primary purpose of this visit, however, was to explore new areas for cooperation. This includes not only student and staff exchanges but also the preparation of joint international projects. We are also keen on finding opportunities for direct bilateral cooperation between our institutions," explains Prof. Wojciech Strzyżewski, PhD, DSc, Rector of the University of Zielona Góra.
The meetings between the UZ authorities and representatives of the Turkish academic centers took place within the framework of the Erasmus+ program, which aims to increase student and staff mobility, develop joint academic programs, and foster closer cooperation. The University of Zielona Góra was represented during the visit by Prof. Wojciech Strzyżewski (Rector of UZ), Katarzyna Łasińska, PhD, Eng. (Chancellor of UZ), and Assoc. Prof. Marek Smoluk (UZ Representative for International Cooperation).
