55 years of Fulbright Program in Poland

"This is one of the most prestigious, continually ongoing academic exchange programs between Poland and the U.S." - said Minister of Science Prof. Lena Kolarska-Bobińska. She added that the program is "part of the common history shared by both our nations".

The Minister reminded that before 1989 the opportunity to stay in the U.S. and receive these scholarships "opened a window to the world to Polish scientists, giving the opportunity to experience American democracy and free market mechanisms". When the communist system collapsed, "the knowledge, skills and experience brought to the country by the scholars provided useful instruments in the transformation of our economy" - she said.

Kolarska-Bobińska also noted that along with the great changes taking place in our country, the nature of the scholarships also changed. "Now they do not have to be a window to the closed western world. They are, however, a form of support for the scholars, giving them the opportunity to study in a world that has opened even wider" - emphasized Minister, thanking those who had supported and developed this program in Poland for over half a century.

Academic exchange under the Fulbright Program is crucial for understanding the world and shaping it for future generations - Minister believes. "Now we must respond to the new, global challenges, and shape the scholarship program accordingly, especially in light of the events taking place on the eastern border of the EU, in the light of the events in Ukraine and its thrust towards democracy" - she said.

The genius of this program lies in mutual understanding between two cultures and bringing them closer together, added Tom Healy, Chairman of the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, which oversees the Fulbright program worldwide. According to Healy, the program is not about resting on our laurels being satisfied, but about taking risks, learning and being open to change.

The program is an example of how the free flow of ideas can change the lives of people, bring together countries such as the United States and Poland, said U.S. Ambassador to Poland Stephen D. Mull. He reminded that Fulbright scholars worldwide are a community of about 250 thousand people from over 150 countries.

The Fulbright Program was developed by an American lawyer, professor and politician, Senator James William Fulbright (1905-1995). Its legal basis was created in 1946 by means of a bill approved by Congress and signed by President Harry Truman.

Under the Fulbright Program, eminent foreign scientists become eligible for scholarships to study, conduct research at American universities, and American scientists may qualify to do the same abroad. The program supports activities in the field of science, higher education, education, culture and art; beneficiaries are representatives of science, culture and art, students, trainees, lecturers, teachers and journalists.

Polish Fulbright scholars include politicians and scientists: Leszek Balcerowicz, Marek Belka, Henryka Bochniarz, Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz, Danuta Huebner and Grzegorz Kołodko, as well as director Juliusz Machulski and conductor Antoni Wit. Among the well-known foreign scholars are composer Philip Glass, writer Umberto Eco and actress Faye Dunaway.

Funding for the Fulbright Program as appropriated by the U.S. Congress. 51 Fulbright Commissions in different countries oversee the implementation of the program on behalf of the U.S. government and local governments.

In Poland, the Fulbright Program is present since 1959, and it has benefited about 4 thousand people. Since the 1990s, it is overseen by Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission.

To celebrate of the 55th anniversary of the Fulbright Program in Poland, international conference "Leadership, Education, Innovation" was organized in Warsaw on 15-16 May. Main aim of the Conference was to initiate a dialogue between academic and business environment. Participants discussed the impact, scope and strategic plans for the Polish - U.S. scientific and academic exchange for the coming years, and the strategic role of the United States in shaping Poland’s science.

PAP - Science and Scholarship in Poland was one of the media sponsors of the event.

PAP - Science and Scholarship in Poland

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