On 4 April 2017, the Jagiellonian University was visited by a delegation from the Belgian University Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, led by Prof. Georges Gielen, Vice-Rector for Science, Engineering and Technology and Academic Staff Policy.
The delegation was received in the Senate Room of Collegium Novum by the JU Vice-Rector for Research and Structural Funds Prof. Stanisław Kistryn. The Jagiellonian University was also represented by Prof. Piotr Laidler from the JU Internationalisation Committee, as well as members of the Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology and several faculties: of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science, of Chemistry, of Biology and Earth Sciences, and of Geography and Geology.
During the meeting, Prof. Piotr Laidler delivered a short presentation about the Jagiellonian University, whereas Prof. Georges Gielen provided the participants with the most important facts and figures concerning the KU Leuven. The representatives of Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology and JU faculties also gave short presentations about their units. Then the meeting participants discussed prospects for further development of cooperation between JU and KU Leuven, with special focus on study programmes taught in English, which provide great opportunities for student exchange. The possible areas of partnership include running joint PhD programmes, which can provide a great basis for research collaboration.
After the meeting in Collegium Novum, the Belgian delegation went to the Campus of the 600th anniversary of JU Revival, where they paid a visit to the Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology.
The KU Leuven was established in 1425. Currently, it is the largest Belgian institution of higher education and one of leading European universities. It has about 56 thousand students.
