Welcome to Poland -- Centre for International Affairs

AGH University Welcomes You!

The “Welcome to Poland” programme supports universities in developing services for international students, doctoral candidates, and staff. By participating in this initiative, the AGH University of Kraków strengthens its international image and openness. Throughout two editions of the project, staff competencies have been enhanced, and facilities for serving international guests have been created and modernised, including those with special needs. These efforts promote AGH University as an attractive place for studying, conducting research, and teaching for people from abroad.

Welcome to Poland is a programme of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) aimed at supporting the institutional capacity of universities holding the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education and scientific institutions involved in educating and assisting international students, doctoral candidates, and academic staff.

At the AGH University, internationalisation is not only a strategic goal – it is an integral part of the university’s identity. By participating in the Welcome to Poland programme, coordinated by NAWA, AGH University strengthens its position as an open, supportive, and welcoming university for students, researchers, and academics from all over the world.

Projects implemented by the Centre for International Affairs under this programme have contributed to the development of information and support services for international guests and to the creation of AGH University’s positive image as a modern and globally engaged institution.

First Edition: Foundations of Support

Project title: Comprehensive and Professional Support for International Students, Doctoral Candidates, and Academic Staff at AGH University
Project reference number: BPI/WTP/2021/1/00077
Implementation period: 1 May 2022 – 30 April 2023
Funding amount: 398,132.18 PLN

As part of the first edition of the programme, AGH University established the Welcome Point – an information centre dedicated to the international community, designed to facilitate adaptation and everyday life in Poland.

Other project activities included:

Preparing and printing information booklets to support international students, doctoral candidates, and staff.
Launching the Welcome Point website with a chatbot for communication
Organising training sessions for AGH University employees on procedures related to the legalisation of stay for international guests (38 participants).
Conducting English language courses for administrative staff serving international visitors (35 participants).
Delivering workshops on communication, intercultural differences, and anti-discrimination for AGH University employees (60 participants).
Organising a hybrid conference: The Impact of Internationalization on the Openness and Tolerance of the University Environment"

These initiatives established the foundation for further activities supporting the internationalisation of AGH University.

The 2021 edition of the WTP programme was implemented under the project “Enhancing the Competencies of Academic Staff and Institutional Capacity in Welcoming International Guests – Welcome to Poland,” within the Operational Programme Knowledge Education Development, co-financed by the European Social Fund.

Second Edition: Service Development and International Promotion

Project title: Developing AGH University’s Capacity for Comprehensive International Guest Support and Effective Global Promotion
Project reference number: BNP/WTP/2023/1/00147
Implementation period: 1 September 2024 – 31 August 2026
Funding amount: 499,938.36 PLN

The second edition of the programme continues and expands upon the earlier initiatives, with a focus on broadening the range of support services and enhancing AGH’s international image.

Completed and planned activities:

re-branding, positioning, and development of the WTP website,
production of an informational and promotional video and brochure introducing Poland, AGH University of Krakow, and profiles of Japanese AGH University graduates, highlighting the distinctiveness, novelty, and quality of AGH University's offers,
organisation of AGH University delegation visits to Tokyo and Osaka titled “AGH University Week in Japan”: (inauguration of the Alumni Assocation in Japan, meetings with high school students in Tokyo, presentations of AGH University's educational offer, popular science lectures, presentation of AGH University's educational and scientific capacity during “Polish Week” at EXPO 2025,
training for foreign guests of AGH University (students/doctoral students/academic staff) - “Cultural orientation in Poland”,
training for foreign guests of AGH University (students/doctoral students/young scientists) - “My 2 minutes”,
training for foreign guests (students/doctoral students/young scientists) - “How to create my first start-up in Poland”,
organization of two editions of International Mental Health Week at AGH University for foreign guests.