Academia is one of the most crucial factors in Poznań's development. Work on an update of the Academic and Scientific Strategy of the City of Poznań is due to start later this year.
More than 102,000 students are studying in Poznań at the Adam Mickiewicz University and 23 other universities, including almost 8,000 international students from 120 countries. Based on data from the Central Statistical Office (CSO), Poznań ranks first among the greatest Polish cities in terms of the number of students per 1,000 inhabitants.
- 'It is mainly thanks to the academic community of Poznań that the City is so diverse, open and tolerant. It gives space for dialogue, exchange of courageous views and creative discussion. The attractiveness, dynamism, and well-developed varied economy of Poznan is also mainly the merit of universities and scientific institutions of which, as the City, we are very proud,' says Mariusz Wisniewski, Deputy Mayor of the City of Poznan.
A joint initiative of the City and the academic community
Academic excellence depends not only on universities and scientific institutions but also on the City, as it cares about its residents' quality of life, economic opportunities and the completion of their life goals.
- 'There are eight public universities in Poznań and all of them work together perfectly within the framework of the Rectors' Collegium of the City of Poznań. It also includes the head of a branch of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the president of the Poznań Society of the Friends of Science. This is a strong representation of the academic community. The cooperation has been lasting for a long time,' says Prof. Maciej Żukowski, rector of the UEP and chairman of the Collegium of Rectors of the City of Poznań. - 'We are happy to develop a new strategy and to be able to adapt it jointly to the present times.'
In our joint efforts to strengthen the position of Poznań internationally, the founders are guided by the provisions of the Strategy for the Development of the City of Poznań 2020+ and documents relating to specific areas of life in the City, including the Academic and Scientific Strategy of the City of Poznań, in force since 2006. Today, after almost 20 years, these documents need to be updated, given the dynamically changing reality.
Therefore, the City of Poznań, jointly with the Collegium of Rectors of the City of Poznań, decided to commence work on a new document as of this academic year. The strategy update is an initiative of the academic community and the Municipality. A joint project team will be created. The success of the new document will depend on the involvement of all stakeholders.
The invention of the new Strategy will undoubtedly foster the integration of the academic and scientific community of Poznań. The final stage of the work is planned for autumn 2024. On the City's part, the action will be coordinated, by the City Development and International Cooperation Department.
The academic community is a highly significant group of Poznań's inhabitants and an enormous social capital. Students are not only consumers or employees but also people running their businesses, service providers, animators of cultural and social life, activists, and people involved in voluntary work.
Universities have an impact on the development of entrepreneurship and are large employers, they influence the level of human capital, and the potential of educated staff attracts investors. Research units initiate international contacts all over the world. The universities also shape the architecture of the City and organise many events open to the public.
Scholarships, internships, scientific conferences
The City collaborates with the academic and scientific community in many spheres. These include, e.g. the promotion of talents and achievements of Poznań science (e.g. scholarships for students and scientists, competition for the best doctoral and master theses or the Poznań Scientific Award and the Poznań Literary Award). It also involves the joint promotion of the City and universities at educational fairs and the "Poznań Attracts" campaign, as well as popularisation of science through open lectures by eminent scientists, artists and specialists from all over the globe. In contrast, in terms of supporting the internationalisation of studies, the City offers scholarships and supports integration events for international students.
As part of professional activation and support for academic entrepreneurship, Poznań offers, among other things, an internship programme for students in the City Hall and city units, training for those planning to start a business, counselling and events for operating and potential start-ups, as well as the opportunity to use the co-working space "+one".
Collaborative activities are also launched to develop and solve current problems. The City and universities have joined forces during the COVID-19 pandemic and after the outbreak of war in Ukraine, among others. The scientific community has become involved in the work on the Educational Policy of the City of Poznań. Poznan scientists are members of the Consultative Council for Environment and Climate Protection. Traditional scientific conferences are held, as well as several analytical and research works. The City cooperates with the Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Centre on an ongoing basis. The PTBS programme "Housing for Graduates" continues. The City regularly transfers city land to universities for new investments - either free of charge or with a discount.
PoMost - a unique agreement between universities
Poznań's universities also cooperate to make it easier for students to study. On 12 October this year, a unique agreement was signed at the University of Economics by all of Poznań's public universities on the PoMost project. It enables students to study a chosen subject (except for PE and foreign language classes) at another university in Poznań. For instance, a management student from Adam Mickiewicz University will be able to follow a lecture on literature at another university. It is the first project of this kind in Poland.
The exchange is possible for first- and second-cycle students, master's degree students and internationals. The project gives students a considerably broader range of opportunities to develop and broaden their horizons. The programme also demonstrates the unique cooperation and integration of Poznań's universities.
Learn more about the academic nature of Poznań at https://www.poznan.pl/mim/studia/en/