On 28 October 2021, the Faculty of Political Science and Journalism at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS) hosted the “International Students Welcome Party” – an integration and welcome event for foreign students starting their education at UMCS. The event was part of the long tradition initiated in 2015 and the seventh of such events organised at our Alma Mater. This year’s “Welcome Party” was also attended by foreign lecturers and PhD students.

It is worth noting that students coming from dozens of countries, almost from all continents, are currently studying at our University. The countries of origin of our students include among others: Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Cameroon, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Morocco, Russia, Tanzania, Turkey, Ukraine, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Kenya.

The “Welcome Party” started off with speeches of the representatives of the Rectorate of Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, the Faculty authorities, Town hall representatives and finally representatives of both current students and foreign graduates. The second part of the event had an artistic character – students from Belarus, Colombia, Ukraine, East Africa – Tanzania, Kenya and Eswantini presented diverse performances in front of the gathered guests.  

The meeting was attended by the Vice-Rector for Students and Quality of Education – Prof. Dorota Kołodyńska, the Director of the Institute of Political Science and Administration – Prof. Marek Pietraś, the Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry – Prof. Anna Deryło-Marczewska, the Dean of the Faculty of Political Science and Journalism – Prof. Wojciech Ziętara, Prof. of the university, the Dean of the Faculty of Economics – Dr. hab. Mariusza Kicia, Vice Dean for Students Affairs at the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology – dr hab. Małgorzata Wójcik, prof. of the university, Vice Dean for Students Affairs at the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Planning – prof. dr hab. Wojciech Zgłobicki, Vice Dean for Students Affairs at the Faculty of Chemistry – dr hab. Piotr Borowski, prof. of the university, Vice Dean for Education at the Faculty of Philology – dr hab. Jarosław Krajka, prof. of the university. Also in attendance where representatives of the Town Hall: Dr Mariusz Sagan – Director of the Strategy and Entrepreneurship Department and Wiktoria Herun – Head of the Department for cooperation with the academic community.

The event was organised by the Rector’s Plenipotentiary for International Education, Ewelina Panas, PhD, in cooperation with the Faculty of Political Science and Journalism, the Promotion Centre and the International Student Services Office of Maria Curie-Skłodowska University.

Author: Ewelina Panas, PhD

Photos: Bartosz Proll,
Zaneza Ariene