WARSAW, May 14. /Dunyo IA/. Representatives of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Warsaw met with Professor Jarosław Górniak, Vice-Rector of Jagiellonian University, and Izabela Zawisza, Head of the university’s Office of International Cooperation, to discuss prospects for the development of academic and humanitarian ties, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Founded in 1364 by King Casimir III the Great, Jagiellonian University is one of Europe’s leading academic institutions. It consistently ranks highly in international rankings (QS, Shanghai) and offers around 150 degree programs in Polish, English, and German. Among its notable alumni are Nicolaus Copernicus, Pope John Paul II, Wisława Szymborska, and current President of Poland Andrzej Duda.

During the meeting, diplomats provided an overview of ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan’s higher education sector and efforts to expand international partnerships. The sides also reviewed outcomes of the 2nd Rectors’ Forum of Higher Education Institutions of Poland and Uzbekistan and discussed potential steps to enhance academic cooperation, with particular attention paid to regional-level interaction.

The potential for collaboration between Samarkand region and Lesser Poland Voivodeship was highlighted. In this context, a proposal was made for Jagiellonian University representatives to join the upcoming visit of a Polish delegation to Uzbekistan led by the Voivode of Lesser Poland.

The university leadership expressed strong interest in establishing a partnership with the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED) in the field of international relations. Proposed initiatives include faculty exchanges, joint summer courses, and collaborative research projects.

Discussions also covered potential cooperation between Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies and Jagiellonian University’s Institute of Oriental Studies, focusing on archaeology, religious studies, Eastern languages, and participation in EU programs such as Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe. Notably, 11 students from Uzbekistan are currently enrolled at Jagiellonian University.

As a result of the meeting, the parties agreed to organize online negotiations between the international relations faculties of UWED and Jagiellonian University, as well as between the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies and Institute of Oriental Studies at the Jagiellonian University.