On April 4-8, 2022 representatives of the Faculty of Economics at UMCS had a meeting tour with Tanzanian universities. Presentation of the University’s and Faculty’s study programmes in English to Tanzanian candidates was the main goal of the visit. However, meetings with authorities and scholars of Tanzanian universities and colleges were also important. Joint research, teaching and consultancy opportunities were discussed, as well as exchange of students and academic staff issues. Several meetings with PhD candidates was also an opportunity to promote the offer of UMCS Doctoral Schools programmes. Tanzanian candidates showed strong interest in Faculty of Economics’ study offer of Business Analytics Bachelor’s degree programme and Data Science Master’s degree programme (http://www.datascience.umcs.pl).
Meetings took place at Jordan University College in Morogoro (JUCO), Mkwawa University College of Education in Iringa (MUCE) and two of four campuses of College of Business Education (CBE) – in Dodoma and Dar-es-Salaam. During each meeting, information about the UMCS, the Faculty of Economics at UMCS and university’s study offer were presented by prof. Mariusz Kicia, dean of the Faculty of Economics. One of two lectures was also presented to Tanzanian students – on globalisation by prof. Paweł Pasierbiak, Dean’s proxy for internationalization, HOD World Economy and European Integration, or on innovations by dr Jakub Czerniak, Dean’s proxy for Erasmus+ Programme, Department of Microeconomics and Applied Economics. A vivid discussion took place after each lecture and presentations. All students’ concerns about Poland, UMCS, details of the study offer were also addressed. Polish hospitality, caring from the University’s and Faculty’s staff and other students, as well as attractiveness of study offers were addressed. Over 500 students participated in 4 meetings. Each university was also provided with printed information about the UMCS, study offer, the Faculty of Economics and City of Lublin. Framework of cooperation was discussed during meetings with each university’s authorities and scholars. It will be reflected in the future agreements to be signed. Nevertheless, it was agreed that the first step to be taken would be matching scholars from the UMCS and Tanzanian counterparts and searching for common research areas, setting up working teams and leading to publication outcomes in a nearby future, followed by applications for research grants.
The visit wouldn’t be possible without the commitment and personal contacts of dr Konrad Czernichowski, Department of World Economy and European Integration at the Faculty of Economics, UMCS. Meeting with HE Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in the United Republic of Tanzania, Mr. Krzysztof Buzalski and Mr. Piotr Kruze, Consul ended the tour. The Embassy’s support to setting up cooperation between the UMCS and Tanzanian and East African universities were discussed. The first result of meetings will be the visit of scholars from the Jordan University College in Morogoro to hold lectures for students of the Faculty’s of Economics in May.
