From March 3rd to 7th, the Faculty of Science and Natural Sciences hosted two scholars from Nasarawa State University in Keffi, Nigeria: Prof. K'tso Nghargbu and Prof. Ibrahim Umru. The visit, organized as a part of the Erasmus+ program, aimed to facilitate the exchange of educational and scientific experiences and to strengthen cooperation between the universities.
The guests participated in the official opening of the Orientation Week and attended presentations and experimental demonstrations organized by the Faculty of Science and Natural Sciences. During their visit, they also met with the Vice-Rector, Prof. Justyna Patalas-Maliszewska. This meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the current state of collaboration with Nasarawa State University in Keffi and explore possibilities for extending this cooperation into new academic and research areas.
It is worth highlighting that during the summer semester, four students from Nigeria are studying at the Faculty of Science and Natural Sciences. The cooperation at all stages, including student recruitment, preparation of travel documents, organization of the study program, and communication with the Embassy of Poland in Nigeria, has been exemplary. The effective cooperation was facilitated by the fact that Prof. Nghargbu has been collaborating with Polish universities for sixteen years. In addition to academic and educational contacts, he has also established effective diplomatic relations with Polish institutions.
As part of the visit, Prof. Ngharbu and Prof. Umaru delivered a series of lectures titled "Radiation Physics" and "Medical Geology," aimed at students and staff of the Institute of Physics. These interdisciplinary lectures showed current educational and research trends being developed at their home university. Additionally, the scholars visited the Materials Engineering Laboratory, where Prof. Krzysztof Dudek presented the laboratory’s latest technological achievements.
On Wednesday, the guests had the opportunity to participate in the Open Days at the Faculty of Technical Sciences, where they toured the laboratories of the Institute of Environmental Engineering and learned about the research and educational infrastructure. Both scientists specialize in the field of applied natural sciences for environmental protection, making the laboratories of the Institute of Environmental Engineering particularly interesting to them.
Cultural elements and nature-based workshops were also part of the program—guests joined a trip to the UNESCO Geopark in Mużaków, organized by the Erasmus Student Network and the Welcome Center. For Prof. K'tso Ngharbu, a geologist involved in UNESCO structures, this visit was a unique opportunity to explore the local geological heritage.
The visit concluded with participation in the Erasmus Dinner, where Erasmus+ students prepared traditional dishes from their home countries. The event fostered a welcoming atmosphere for discussions on both scientific and cultural topics, enhancing the exchange of knowledge and experiences.
