The Oxford-Poland Hub is an initiative of Poland's Ministry of Science and Higher Education, implemented by the National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) in cooperation with Polish researchers working at Oxford University.
The centre will be based at The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities (TORCH). It will support joint research projects and academic exchanges between Polish and British researchers, focusing primarily on the humanities and social sciences, as well as university gardens, libraries and museums.
It will also promote Polish culture, history and language through lectures, exhibitions and other events.
The Hub will introduce a grant programme. Oxford researchers will be able to apply for up to GBP 5,000 (EUR 6,000) for joint research projects with Polish researchers, academic visits and the preparation of applications for larger grants.
Up to GBP 10,000 (EUR 12,000) will be available to organise international academic workshops.
From its second year, the centre also plans to offer scholarships enabling young Polish researchers to take part in training programmes at Oxford. It intends to cooperate with organisations including the Foundation for Polish Science. NAWA will fund the centre's first three years of operation.
"Establishing Polish language courses at the University of Oxford is also a clear sign of growing interest in Poland, its culture and the academic achievements. That is the investment in the people who will shape Polish-British relations in science, culture, public life in the years ahead,” Dr Marcin Kulasek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Poland told TORCH.
The opening ceremony will also be attended by Oxford University Vice-Chancellor Professor Irene Tracey, Oxford-Poland Hub Director Professor Paulina Kewes and NAWA Director Dr Wojciech Karczewski.
(sp)
Source: PAP