On 2 February 2023, the Rector of the Jagiellonian University Prof. Jacek Popiel received a German delegation led by Britta Ernst, State Minister for Education, Youth and Sport of Brandenburg.
The meeting with the delegation was held in Collegium Novum Senate Room and its participants also included the JU Vice-Rector for International Relations Prof. Dorota Malec and the Dean of the JU Faculty of History Prof. Stanisław Sroka, as well as the Consul General of Germany to Kraków Dr Michael Groß and the Coordinator of German‑Polish Intersocietal and Cross‑Border Cooperation Dietmar Nietan.
Having welcomed the guests, the JU Rector presented the crucial facts about the Jagiellonian University’s past and present, whereas the JU Vice-Rector for International Relations discussed the current state and future prospects of the JU’s collaboration with German higher education institutions, which takes place within the framework of European university networks (such as The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities, Coimbra Group, or Una Europa) as well as numerous bilateral agreements. In this context, the Rector of the Jagiellonian University stressed the importance of the University’s cooperation with the Max Planck Society, including the creation of Dioscuri Centres of Scientific Excellence, several of which are to be established next year. He also stressed that the very fruitful relations with German partners are fostered by very successful cooperation with the German Consulate General in Kraków.
During the meeting, Minister Britta Ernst briefly discussed the major contemporary challenges related to the education of German younger generation, both at school and university level. She also expressed her admiration towards the rich history and tradition of the Jagiellonian University, as well as the institution’s recent achievements and the role it plays on both European and local level.
After the meeting, the German delegation took a guided tour of the historic University buildings of Collegium Novum and Collegium Maius.
