From 5 to 10 October 2026, representatives from public universities in the Silesian Voivodeship took part in a study visit to the Republic of Korea, organised as part of the project ‘Supporting the Just Transition Process through the Promotion of Higher Education’.
The University of Silesia was represented by Prof. Tomasz Pietrzykowski, Vice-Rector for International and Domestic Cooperation; Dariusz Laska, Chancellor of the University of Silesia; Prof. Ewa Łupikasza, Director of the Institute of Earth Sciences of the University of Silesia; and Chang Il You, PhD, Head of the Poland–South Korea Cooperation Centre of the University of Silesia.
A key aspect of the visit was gaining insight into the Korean experience regarding urban transformation and revitalisation. In Seoul, the delegation explored sites such as the Cheonggyecheon stream—an example of transforming an area once dominated by road infrastructure into an accessible public urban space—and the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), a venue that integrates cultural, design, and social functions.
On 7 October, the delegation visited Sungshin Women’s University in Seoul—one of the University of Silesia’s partners in South Korea. Discussions focused on topics such as educational innovation, internationalisation, student support, and the further development of academic cooperation.
On 8 October, the delegation travelled to Changwon National University, where they discussed scientific and educational collaboration, the university’s ties with industry, and the role of universities in regional transformation processes. The visit also provided an opportunity to explore the university’s research facilities and its engagement with the economic sector.
The meetings resulted in the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Korean partners and universities from the Silesian Voivodeship.
The visit by representatives from Silesian universities has laid the groundwork for further cooperation in education, research, and academic mobility, as well as the exchange of experiences regarding regional transformation and the collaboration between the academic community and the socio-economic environment.
