Polish-American student workshops

Between 16th May and 3rd June 2013, the Faculty of Biology and Animal Science has been playing host to a group of 10 students from Iowa State University (ISU), which was supervised by Prof Jacek Koziel. The workshops’ main topic focused on animal breeding technology in the USA and in Poland in respect of balanced development, environmental protection and economy in animal production.

The students have been preparing for this visit since the beginning of March – researching the agriculture and economy of the partner country, however, information about each other’s history and culture was also important. The students from Iowa State University prepared themselves by learning about the modern history of our country, as well as studying films about Polish history. So as well as visits to poultry, cattle and pig farms, a biogas plant, Cargill company and Książ Stud and Stables, they also decided to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, having watched Roman Polański's "Pianist".

- Our world has become smaller. Currently, a farmer from Iowa and another from Poland have formed a partnership operating in the same global market, which is why the experience gained abroad is so significant – said Prof Jacek Koziel, one of the student’s supervisors from Iowa State University. The first European workshops for American students were organised three years ago and no one expected that they would be so well received. – Poland is a place that inspires very good memories. Students that had the chance to take part in the Polish workshops have become very good ambassadors. Not only did they benefit from gaining great experience and knowledge, they also made long lasting friendships – he added.

– It has been the best experience in my life – said Alyssa Joann Goodson, adding that she particularly appreciated the contacts with Polish students and friendliness and hospitality of the hosts. Polish students particularly appreciated their new friendships too, with not only the opportunity of being able to compare their two cultures, but also the chance to improve their English.

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In April 2013, Wrocław’s University of Environmental and Life Sciences signed a partnership agreement with Iowa State University in the USA. The agreement relates to joint projects, the exchange of scientific workers, which depends on the financial possibilities of the partners, and the publishing of resulting articles in scientific magazines. As a part of the agreement, Dr Sebastian Opaliński and Dr Mariusz Korczyński from the Department of Environmental Hygiene and Animal Welfare went for a month’s internship to the States. As members of Prof Koziel's team, they undertook a project looking at fish bone waste deodorisation. A paper summarising this work is due to be published soon.

The universities have also agreed to join forces in terms of educational work. This will include exchanges of educational programmes, teaching staff, course books, teaching aids, monographs and other publications. The schools also committed to supporting applications from students and doctoral students alike applying for enrolment. Those that fulfil the requirements will be considered for admittance to the university programmes.

The agreement, which had been brought to Poland by Prof Koziel, was signed by Prof Roman Kołacz, the Rector of Wrocław’s University of Environmental and Life Sciences, and by Prof Jonathan Wickert, the Senior Vice President and Provost of the Iowa State University.

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