20 years of AGH University-SIT partnership and inauguration of Alumni Association in Tokio

During the Tuesday events the AGH University was represented by the AGH University Rector, Professor Jerzy Lis; Vice-Rector for Cooperation, Professor Rafał Wiśniowski; Coordinator for Cooperation with Japan, Professor Janusz Szmyd; and Director of the Centre for International Affairs, Paweł Świerk. 

Professor Jerzy Lis was conferred the “Honorary Doctoral Degree Shibaura Institute of Technology.” The said distinction reflects our joint accomplishments and long-term cooperation between universities. While celebrating the jubilee of our cooperation, we keep in mind the fact that we owe the success to the engagement of the academic community and the support on the part of public institutions and international organisations.

On the following day, i.e. 6 November, we celebrated the inauguration of the Alumni Association in Japan as part of a NAWA project in Welcome to Poland. This ground-breaking event was organised under the honorary patronage of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Tokio. The inauguration took place in the seat of the Embassy in Tokio.

The meeting brought together alumni, friends, and academic partners of the AGH University from both countries, making room for networking and establishing cooperation. The event was attended by prominent representatives from prestigious Japanese institutions, including the Shibaura Institute of Technology, University of Tokyo, Hokkaido University, Nagoya Institute of Technology and Tohoku University.

The AGH University Rector emphasised the value of the new initiative as a backbone connecting AGH University alumni and partners in Japan with their Polish alma mater.

Tomasz Gwozdowski, Deputy Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Tokio, inclined that the association may contribute to the advancement of Polish-Japanese relationships in education and research:

The AGH University Alumni Association in Japan is supposed to be a platform dedicated to AGH University alumni, friends, and partners. The Association aims to:

• reinforce the community of AGH University alumni living in Japan,
• encourage academic and research cooperation between Polish and Japanese institutions,
• provide opportunities for professional and personal development to AGH University alumni in Japan.

It should be noted that the role of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange NAWA in the organisation of the event was significant, as it was financed with funds under the “Welcome to Poland” programme. Thanks to NAWA's support, our university will organise a series of events, including meetings with secondary school students in Tokyo, a visit to Osaka during EXPO 2025, as well as a series of training courses to help foreign students and young researchers adapt to the AGH University, in terms of cultural differences or topics such as planning their career path or setting up their own start-up in Poland.