Today, a delegation from the University of Gdańsk, consisting of Vice-Rector for Education Prof. Ewa Szymczak, Director of the Education Office Anna Smykowska, Head of the Department of Statistics Prof. Ewa Wycinka, and Prof. Wojciech Grabowski, Director of the Polish-Turkish Studies Centre at the University of Gdańsk, participated in a meeting at Istanbul University.
The meeting focused on building collaborative networks and partnerships in the fields of research, education, innovation, and societal impact. The programme included discussions on developing interdisciplinary cooperation in research, teaching, and project-based activities between our universities.
Representatives of the University of Gdańsk also joined the discussions online together with representatives of individual units from Istanbul University. The University of Gdańsk was represented by Marta Siara (Projects Office), Ewa Chmurzyńska (Cooperation and International Relations Office), Prof. Błażej Szepietowski (Vice-Dean for Research and Internationalisation, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics), Prof. Rafał Sądej (Vice-Dean for Internationalisation and Development), Prof. Andrea Lipińska, and Katarzyna Gronowska (Technology Transfer Office).
During the meetings, participants presented the activities and potential of their respective units and discussed concrete areas for future cooperation. Many of the conversations initiated today will continue within smaller working groups over the coming weeks, with the aim of developing joint projects, academic initiatives, and events.
This was the first broad and substantive discussion dedicated to strengthening cooperation between the University of Gdańsk and Istanbul University—the oldest and one of the largest universities in Türkiye.
Special recognition should also be given to the exceptional Turkish hospitality we experienced throughout the day. The programme concluded with a meeting with the Rector of Istanbul University, Prof. Bülent Zülfikar, which symbolically underscored the importance of the partnership we are developing. Our hosts also arranged a performance by the university music ensemble, while the shared lunch and evening dinner provided an excellent opportunity for informal discussions, relationship-building, and mutual understanding.
We are also pleased that the Polish-Turkish Studies Centre at the University of Gdańsk is a co-organiser of this initiative and, in line with its mission, serves as a bridge connecting research, education, and cultures between Poland and Türkiye.
Polish-Turkish Studies Centre