On October 30th, the International Congress Center in Katowice hosted a panel discussion titled “Who Benefits from Polish-American Academic Exchange?”. The event, part of American Day and organized under the Congress of Small and Medium Enterprises, featured Fulbright alumni sharing their experiences from academic stays in the United States. The session attracted a diverse audience eager to explore the dynamics and benefits of Polish-American academic exchange.
The panelists included:
- Agata Daszkowska-Golec, Vice Dean for Research Promotion and Internationalization at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia (Fulbright STEM Impact Award 2023-24),
- Krzysztof Rajczykowski, Director of the Center for Environmental Protection at the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals (Fulbright Junior Research Award 2017-18),
- Adam Wylęgała, ophthalmologist and professor at the Medical University of Silesia (Fulbright Senior Award 2020-21), and
- Ewa Syta, professor of computer science and Head of the Department of Computer Science at Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut (Fulbright U.S. Scholar at NASK – National Research Institute).
- The panel was moderated by Łukasz Chyla, a PhD candidate at Jagiellonian University and a Fulbright Program ambassador in Kraków.
The discussion revolved around the practical aspects of academic exchange programs between Poland and the United States. It highlighted the benefits these programs offer to participants, institutions, local communities, and the broader Polish economy. Each panelist shared their unique journey as a Fulbright scholar:
- Agata Daszkowska-Golec reflected on her time at the University of Minnesota under the Fulbright STEM program, emphasizing how even brief international stays can enrich research perspectives and offer fresh insights into university management and international collaboration.
- Ewa Syta recounted her exchange at NASK – National Research Institute in Warsaw, underscoring the invaluable opportunities the Fulbright Program provides for fostering collaboration between Polish and American researchers.
- Krzysztof Rajczykowski spoke about his time as a Visiting Researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, highlighting the long-term benefits his exchange continues to bring to his research career in Poland.
- Adam Wylęgała described his experience at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Florida, explaining how the Fulbright Program deepened his understanding of the American healthcare system and patient-centered care.
- Moderator Łukasz Chyla shared insights from his comparative research on capital markets conducted at Columbia Law School in New York, adding another layer of depth to the discussion.
Panelists emphasized that Fulbright scholarships go beyond individual growth, fostering institutional development and international cooperation. Key points included:
- The role of academic exchanges in driving innovation and knowledge transfer.
- Strengthening ties between Poland and the U.S. through long-term collaboration.
- Challenges scholars overcame during their exchanges and the lasting impact on their careers and home institutions.
- The audience also gained valuable insights into the ease of building professional networks and the far-reaching benefits of academic exchanges that extend well beyond the scholarship period.
The panelists unanimously described their Fulbright experiences as transformative, opening doors to new cultural and professional horizons. They encouraged attendees to explore Fulbright Program opportunities, stressing the substantial benefits for individuals, their institutions, and society at large.
The discussion underscored how academic exchanges contribute to human capital development, knowledge sharing, and the strengthening of bilateral relations between Poland and the United States.
The event concluded with gratitude to the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Katowice for organizing American Day and for providing the platform to facilitate this insightful dialogue.
