The Forum of Polish Universities has concluded. This year’s annual reporting and electoral assembly was hosted by the Student Parliament of the University of Zielona Góra (UZ). Representatives of twenty-one student governments from across Poland gathered on the premises of the University of Zielona Góra, including delegates from universities in Rzeszów, Kraków, and Opole.
The official opening of the event took place on Saturday, 17 January, in the Senate Hall of the University of Zielona Góra. During the proceedings, students engaged in discussions on, among other issues, the social and living conditions at Polish higher education institutions. Matters concerning the autonomy of student governments were also addressed, alongside deliberations on cooperation between student self-governments and the authorities of individual universities. “Our regular meetings serve as a source of inspiration for action and often provide support in addressing the challenges we face on a daily basis. We join forces and engage in intensive discussions about the future of Polish students,” explained Julia Kolendowicz, Chair of the Student Parliament of the University of Zielona Góra.
The Forum of Polish Universities is one of the sectoral committees of the Student Parliament of the Republic of Poland. It brings together the student communities of Poland’s classical universities, with the aim of enhancing activities undertaken for the benefit of local academic environments. “Student initiatives constitute an important signal for introducing changes in various projects. Such a voice is of great significance to us. From a higher administrative level, the problems of individual institutions or specific groups are sometimes not fully visible. Each academic centre faces different challenges,” noted Prof. Maria Mrówczyńska, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education.
The authorities of the University of Zielona Góra also emphasised the positive significance of the forum being held in Zielona Góra. “This testifies to our strong position within the academic community. Our students and their parliament are recognised at the national level. It is proof that we play an important role within this forum,” added Prof. Wojciech Strzyżewski, Rector of the University of Zielona Góra.
It is also worth noting that one of the key elements of the Forum of Polish Universities was the election of a new presidium. As a result of the vote, one of the positions was entrusted to the Chair of the Student Parliament of the University of Zielona Góra. During her one-year term, Julia Kolendowicz will serve as Vice-Chair for Internal Communication and Support of the Forum of Polish Universities.
