Joint research, teaching projects and academic exchanges link the University of Warsaw with over 1,000 organisations, including many abroad – universities, research and educational centres, as well as cultural institutions. As part of the “HR Excellence in Research” series, we present the UW’s latest initiatives in the field of international cooperation.

The UW is a member of numerous well-established Polish and international networks and associations with a long tradition, as well as national and international consortia formed for the duration of specific projects. The University belongs, amongst others, to the 4EU+ Alliance, the European University Association, the European University Foundation and Central European Universities.

 

The International Relations Office is responsible for coordinating and handling matters relating to the University of Warsaw’s cooperation with foreign entities.

 

Key initiatives in the field of international cooperation at the UW implemented between 2022 and 2025:

 

  • the conclusion or renewal of over 370 direct cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding concerning the exchange of students, doctoral candidates and academic teachers, as well as the implementation of various research and educational projects, such as double or multiple degree programmes. Partner institutions include: Australian National University, Universidade de São Paulo, Universidad de Chile, The University of Hong Kong, Sichuan University, University of Copenhagen, Cairo University, Korea University, Vilnius University, Tohoku University, Kyoto University, Nagoya University, Victoria University of Wellington, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, University of Pretoria, National Taiwan University, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Indiana University Bloomington, University of California Berkeley and Santa Cruz, University College London, University of Oxford, University of Sussex, University of Worcester, Università degli Studi di Milano;
  • the development and coordination of 10 Erasmus+ KA131 projects with Programme countries and KA171 projects with partner countries outside the European Union, supporting mobility and academic cooperation. Every year, these projects are utilised by over 1,000 outgoing students and around 1,000 incoming students, as well as academic and non-academic employees;
  • the organisation of an annual training week (known as Staff Training Week) for employees from partner universities in the Erasmus+ programme, as well as for employees of the UW; in 2025, the training “Walking through the centuries… Intercultural insights with generational perspectives in the city of diversity” was attended by 19 people from 14 countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, Georgia, Israel, Malta, Moldova, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Turkey, Ukraine and Poland;
  • development of recommendations for UW units entitled “University-wide principles for the recognition of Erasmus+ STA and STT mobility in professional career development” (as part of activities aimed at implementing the UW Strategy for 2023–2032, Pillar IV “ Friendly and activating work environment”);
  • supporting language courses and training programmes to strengthen the intercultural competences of University of Warsaw employees (academic and non-academic) using Erasmus+ programme funds (as part of activities aimed at implementing the UW Strategy for 2023–2032, Pillar IV “ Friendly and activating work environment”); three English language courses, two Spanish language courses, and one French language course are planned for 2025/2026;
  • coordination of the “Academic Partnership for Innovation in Teaching and Learning” project under the NAWA “International Academic Partnerships” programme, in collaboration with three partner universities of the 4EU+ Alliance: Charles University in Prague, Heidelberg University and the University of Sorbonne. As a result, innovative teaching and training materials were developed, and workshops and short modular programmes were organised, including on the development of innovative curricula, academic writing, publishing, and sustainable development;
  • coordination of three NAWA “Solidarity with Ukraine” projects, including two projects in collaboration with the 4EU+ Office at the UW (4EU+ for Ukraine). The team organised training sessions, workshops, summer schools and other innovative short programmes focused on developing knowledge, skills and competences, in cooperation with partner universities of the 4EU+ Alliance. Training topics included innovative education, AI in education, intercultural communication, career planning, open learning, and well-being;
  • co-coordination of the 4EU+ ETERNITY project in cooperation with the 4EU+ Office at the UW, as part of the NAWA programme “European Universities Support”. This includes activities such as: training sessions on the Erasmus Mundus Design Measures and Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters projects, a training week on the integration of IT systems and the development of a shared campus within the 4EU+ Alliance, further steps to prepare for the implementation of the European Diploma, activities in the field of open and citizen science within the 4EU+ Alliance, and summer and winter schools for 4EU+ Alliance students and doctoral candidates;
  • establishing and strengthening cooperation with strategic partners under Action II.1.2 of the “Initiative of Excellence – Research University” (IDUB) Programme. The UW units were able to apply for funding for short visits and for hosting guests from strategically important partner universities, for example, to establish joint research teams, research or teaching centres, apply for grants, co-supervision, or staff exchanges. In total, funding was awarded for over 100 visits, amounting to over PLN 2 million. Partner universities include: California Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University, University of California, Santa Cruz (USA); Oxford University, University College London, University of Worcester (United Kingdom); Technische Universität Dortmund, The Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Universität Potsdam (Germany); Universität Bern (Switzerland); Utrecht University (Netherlands); Hong Kong Polytechnic University; National University of Singapore; Kyungpook National University (South Korea); Australian National University, Monash University (Australia); Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand); universities of the 4EU+ Alliance;
  • “Research visits at the UW for students and doctoral candidates from Ukraine” – a programme implemented under IDUB Action IV.2.2 “Integrating talented young researchers into research teams”. It was attended by 46 students and doctoral candidates from Ukraine, who carried out research projects at the UW;
  • implementation of IDUB Action IV.2.2 “Inclusion of talented young scientists in research teams”, under which the UW hosted 115 students and doctoral candidates from France, Spain, Germany, Lithuania, Portugal, Italy, the UK, the USA, Argentina, Brazil, Nepal, India, Vietnam, Taiwan, Indonesia and Japan. In addition, 57 research visits were organised for UW students and doctoral candidates to partner universities in Switzerland, Georgia, the USA, Mexico, Taiwan, China, South Korea and Japan. Host institutions included, amongst others, the universities of the 4EU+ Alliance; Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (Georgia); the University of Florida, Indiana University Bloomington (USA); the National Autonomous University of Mexico (Mexico); Peking University (China); Kyungpook National University (South Korea); and Saitama University (Japan).
Plans for the near future include:

 

  • continuing tasks related to supporting UW units in their international initiatives and the implementation of educational projects under the Erasmus+, NAWA, government and other programmes;
  • carrying out further activities related to the coordination of Erasmus+, NAWA and other projects; supporting academic mobility and continuing work on modern IT solutions to support the organisation of international cooperation;
  • completion and evaluation of the IDUB Programme’s activities;
  • evaluation of the implementation of the “University-wide principles for the recognition of Erasmus+ STA and STT mobility in professional career development”, introduction of any necessary changes and improvements;
  • continued support for language courses and training to strengthen the intercultural competences of UW employees, funded by the Erasmus+ programme;
  • organisation of further training weeks for employees from partner universities and the UW (funded by Erasmus+ projects); a training session entitled “Professional development in the academic environment” is planned for June.