It was an exceptional week at the University of Zielona Góra (UZ). International delegations from over forty universities gathered to participate in this year's edition of the Erasmus+ Staff Week. The event provided an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences, establish new professional networks, and expand knowledge regarding academic activities and international cooperation.
The official opening ceremony took place on Monday, May 11th. Within the walls of UZ, representatives from countries such as Turkey, Georgia, Uzbekistan, and Albania met alongside guests from Spain, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Lithuania.
"When we talk about increasing internationalisation—simply put, bringing more students from Europe and beyond to our university—we initiate this dialogue directly with our partner institutions. We invited them here to experience firsthand what the University of Zielona Góra and our city have to offer. We also presented our research laboratories and educational systems. It is incredibly important that upon returning home, they speak highly of us and remain fully aware that our educational offer is highly competitive. We provide a completely safe laboratory infrastructure that guarantees top-tier education. I strongly believe that these discussions, university fairs, and presentations will result in a growing number of international students choosing to study with us," emphasises Prof. Justyna Patalas-Maliszewska, Vice-Rector for Science and International Cooperation at UZ.
As noted by the organisers of the Erasmus+ Staff Week 2026, promoting internationalisation is of paramount importance.
"Our event serves as a wonderful platform for forging new partnerships and integrating within the Erasmus community. Following this week, we expect to see successful outcomes in the form of new bilateral agreements, collaborative projects, and mutual opportunities. I believe it will also leave us all with wonderful memories," adds Julia Kowalczykiewicz from the International Cooperation Office at UZ.
The event commenced with a unique candlelit concert. Among the key highlights of the week was also the educational fair. As part of the University Fairs, participants had the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the educational offers of foreign universities, including institutions from Uzbekistan, Georgia, and Turkey.
"It is fantastic to host so many guests from Europe and beyond. We are delighted that some of these partnerships have already lasted for over twenty years. We can see that academic staff are very eager to visit us, which means that students will be just as keen to come. I see absolutely no downsides to the Erasmus+ Staff Week. It is an excellent promotion for our university on the international stage. Thanks to this event, one can get a behind-the-scenes look at how the university operates. It allows us to exchange valuable experiences," explains Dr. Habil. Marek Smoluk, Professor at UZ and Plenipotentiary for Foreign Cooperation.
Participants of the Erasmus+ Staff Week 2026 at the University of Zielona Góra took part in networking and study visits, as well as plenary sessions.
