The inauguration of the academic year as part of the Yanshan University European Institute
At the Silesian University of Technology, a new academic year has been officially inaugurated for another group of students coming from the Yanshan University Chinese university, studying in Gliwice as part of the Yanshan University European Institute, which is one of the key undertakings developing scientific and didactic cooperation of our university with Chinese partners. The event brought together representatives of university authorities, lecturers, students, and guests connected with international research and education projects.
The Yanshan University European Institute is the result of many years of cooperation between the Silesian University of Technology and Yanshan University, one of the leading technical universities in China. The partnership includes mainly dual study programs, student and staff exchanges, joint research projects, and initiatives to internationalize education.
- This is an important element of international cooperation of the Silesian University of Technology. We have been cooperating with Chinese universities for many years, and with Yanshan University in a special way. We have two types of programs. The first is that after a year of study in China, students come for further education, for the next three years to us. It is those students that we welcome today – said Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk, the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology. - The second program in the 4+0 system which consists in the fact that academic teachers and scientists from our university go to China and teach students there, - he added.
Such developed cooperation attracts both students who establish international contacts and staff who open up to new opportunities.
The inauguration of the new academic year for the Yanshan University European Institute confirmed the great interest in the Polish Chinese exchange, which has been going on continuously since 2022. In the first year of cooperation, more than 60 Chinese students started studying in four fields of study within the Institute. Students studied mechanical engineering, automation and electronic systems, electrical engineering, industrial chemistry, and chemical engineering. The first Chinese students graduated this year. In June 2025, we proudly celebrated the first graduation ceremony of almost 60 graduates who received first-degree diplomas from Yanshan University and Silesian University of Technology.
In the following years, about a hundred new students from China were welcomed at the Silesian University of Technology.
During the inauguration ceremony, Yang Guoliang, Executive Dean of Yanshan University, spoke about the benefits of cooperation between the Silesian University of Technology and the Chinese university.
It was also emphasized that the cooperation is a real support for the internationalization of engineering research and opens to students new career paths in the environment of global technologies.
This year, 97 students from China began studying at the Silesian University of Technology within framework of The Yanshan University European Institute. In total, 306 Chinese are taught at our University.
The Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education Prof. Dr Hab. Eng Anna Chrobok, welcomed them within the walls of the university. The Vice-Rector assured Chinese students that in case of problems and doubts, they will surely find help in the offices of employees of the Silesian University of Technology.
The students themselves, who are just taking their first steps in Poland, did not hide their excitement and pleasant surprise at the beginning of their stay at the Silesian University of Technology of Gliwice.
- I believe that the cooperation between Yanshan University and Silesian University of Technology is a great opportunity for our Chinese students to go abroad, get to know Polish culture and gain more knowledge here. I think it’s a big challenge, but also a chance, - said Chen Yikun, who has been in Poland for two months.
- Our teachers are very nice to us, I have already talked to a few Polish students and they are very friendly. I think this place could become my second home, - he added.
The joy of staying in Poland was also emphasized by another student from Yanshan.
- Studying in other countries is a challenge. It is better than studying in China. I want to get to know other countries. I can learn more here, because on top of studying for my degree, I am also learning English, - said Zhao Yutong.
Tekst Katarzyna Siwczyk
Zdjęcia Jan Szady
