On 2 June 2023 the oldest Polish higher education institution was visited by the Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to Poland Juris Poikāns, accompanied by the Embassy counsellor Inga Ozoliņa. On behalf of the JU Rector, the diplomats were received in Collegium Novum by the JU Vice-Rector for Human Resources and Financial Management Prof. Piotr Jedynak.
The meeting started with a discussion on the recent World Copernican Congress, which marked the 550th anniversary of the birth of the eminent Polish astronomer, probably the most famous graduate of the Jagiellonian University. The meeting participants discussed various aspects of collaboration between the Jagiellonian University and Latvian institutions, especially in the field of research and higher education
Ambassador Juris Poikāns expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to visit the Jagiellonian University, and then briefly discussed the diplomatic relations between Poland and Latvia, which date back to the 16th century. He also pointed out that the relations between the two countries have never been so good, largely because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which brought together democratic states of the region. He also expressed his admiration for the Polish help to Ukraine and refugees from this country.
Prof. Piotr Jedynak pointed to the challenges posed by the current situation in both geopolitical and economic terms, partially resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine as well as the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. He expressed his hope that Ukraine will ultimately prevail in the ongoing conflict. The Vice-Rector also stressed that the Ukrainian refugees who came to Kraków feel at home in the city and became a valuable part of its community.
