Exchange of students and academic staff between universities in Katowice and Batumi

The agreement on scientific and academic cooperation concluded between universities is connected to the agreement on cooperation and the development of friendly relations, concluded five years ago by the Silesian Province and the Autonomous Republic of Adjara.

Rector of the University of Silesia Prof. Wiesław Banyś, emphasised that it was important that this partnership was a part of "a very broad cooperation". "We have been repeating for a long time, in accordance with the Magna Charta Universitatum Great Charter of European Universities, that the development of modern cities and regions today is not possible without intensive cooperation with the academic community" - said Prof. Banyś. Magna Charta Universitatum, the Great Charter of European Universities, is a fundamental document defining standards at universities across Europe.

Members of the Adjara delegation emphasised the importance of this step for the Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University. Minister for Education, Culture and Sport of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara Giorgi Tavamaishvili added that he expects that in the future this cooperation will result in "joint activities for both parties".

The agreement between the University of Silesia in Katowice and the Shota Rustaveli State University entails not only the exchange of students and academic staff, but also - according to the spokesman of the Katowice college Jacek Szymik-Kozaczko - scientific cooperation, joint projects, exchange of publications, joint research, guest lectures and conferences.

Rector of the Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University Prof. Merab Khalvashi said that in addition to the University of Silesia, the Adjara university also maintains contacts with other universities in Poland. "By concluding a memorandum we will cooperate in many areas" - he pointed out and added that the essential aspects would include scientific cooperation, the exchange of students and professors.

6 thousand students study at the Adjara university, approx. 30 thousand at the University of Silesia.

"The signing of the agreement is the next step in building relations between our regions. I am confident that this cooperation will serve well both our regions and nothing is as conducive as cultural and scientific exchange, education. They are the cement that helps to build the strongest, lasting relationships" - said Kazimierz Karolczak, Silesian Province board member.

Adjara is an autonomous republic in western Georgia on the Black Sea. Agreement on cooperation and development of friendly relations between the Silesian Province and the Autonomous Republic of Adjara was signed on 17 June 2011 year. "The aim of cooperation (...) will be to use all the potential, in particular the economic and cultural potential, for the development and mutual promotion of the Silesian Province and the Autonomous Republic of Adjara" - reads the document.

PAP - Science and Scholarship in Poland

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