Visit of the UZ delegation to Nigeria
From 16 to 20 October, a delegation from the University of Zielona Góra, consisting of Marcin Mrugalski, Prof. UZ - Vice-Chancellor for Science and International Cooperation, Jakub Kostecki, Ph.D. (Institute of Environmental Engineering) and Ms Kamila Rabiko, Head of the International Cooperation Department, visited Nigeria.
On the first day of their stay, the representatives of the University of Zielona Góra visited the headquarters of PROTECT EARTH NETWORK (PEN), where they met with the Board of Directors, represented by Mohhamed H. Abdullahi, and the staff of the organisation. The organisation specialises in educating children and young people about environmental engineering and conservation, including waste management, reforestation, environmental awareness, biodiversity and wildlife conservation. PEN's work is based on the premise that education, awareness raising and the involvement of the younger generation in grassroots activities are necessary to ensure a sustainable future, including adaptation to advancing climate change. During the visit, the delegation learned about PEN's mission and the ongoing project on increasing agroclimatic resilience in semi-arid areas. During the visit, a cooperation agreement was signed, under which staff from the Institute of Environmental Engineering will prepare educational materials on waste management for Nigerian public school students of different age groups.
On the second day of the visit, the university representatives visited two sets of schools (primary and secondary). One of the schools was a public school, the Glisten International Academy, where the students presented the projects they had completed. The students' tasks were related to environmental engineering problems (soil moisture analysis, groundwater levels), robotics and control systems. The delegation also had the opportunity to see other student work, including culture and art. At the public school complex (Government School Uke), the delegation met with students and teachers to analyse educational needs related to environmental protection and adaptation to climate change. In both institutions, university staff encouraged students to study at the University of Zielona Góra.
On the third day of their stay, the University representatives went to Nasarawa University, with which a cooperation agreement had recently been signed. The implementation of the provisions of the agreement enabled 3 research teams from Nigeria to participate in the 6th International Scientific Conference. "Engineering and Environmental Design". The delegation took part in the official opening of the academic year. UZ representatives met with university authorities and visited
the Faculty of Agriculture and the Faculty of Environmental Sciences. During the meetings, opportunities for cooperation were presented, including staff and student exchanges, collaboration on new projects and joint research.
During the visit, a delegation from the University of Zielona Góra met with Dr Salisu Dahiru, Director General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), and his colleagues. The topic of discussion was the ongoing environmental change, the effects of which are being felt not only in African countries, but also in Poland. Due to the complexity of the problems and the convergence of research topics at the NCCC and the Institute of Environmental Engineering at the University of Zielona Góra, further steps were agreed to deepen cooperation in the field of environmental sciences.
During their stay, representatives of the University of Zielona Góra met with a representative of the local government, His Royal Highness Yakanaje of Uke.
At the end of the visit, the University representatives paid a return visit to the Polish Embassy at the invitation of Ambassador Joanna Tarnawska. The Ambassador was hosted by the University of Zielona Góra on 14 September. She visited the Institute of Environmental Engineering, which, at her request, undertook to prepare educational materials on waste management as part of its cooperation with PEN.
