St. John’s Hosts Research Conference Aimed at Strengthening Ties Between US, Poland

The opportunity to strengthen scientific and commercial relationships between the United States, Poland, and the broader European Union drew researchers and government officials to St. John’s University’s Manhattan, NY, campus on November 9.

The daylong “Congress of the Council of Polish Engineers” featured representatives of Polish and American universities who sought consensus on research initiatives that could attract investment and contribute to economic growth in Poland, a key US ally and member of the European Union.

The conference was hosted by The Peter J. Tobin College of Business in conjunction with the Council of Polish Engineers in North America. It featured 70 thought leaders, including nine university presidents and administrators and faculty from universities in the US and Poland, who shared their experiences implementing best practices in research management. Topics included engineering research in business, the elevation of university profiles on a global stage, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. 

“Strengthening scientific cooperation between the US and the European Union is one of our priorities,” said Maria Mrówczyńska, Poland’s Deputy Minister of Science and Undersecretary of State for the country’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education. “Cooperation includes the exchange of students and scientists and the implementation of research and development projects that can contribute to technological progress in both countries.”

“We are committed to promoting Polish science internationally through the commercialization of knowledge and implementing innovative products on the market,” Ms. Mrówczyńska continued. “Science is the potential that drives the economy.” 

The Council of Polish Engineers in North America aims to elevate the profile of Polish engineers and scientists working in the US and Canada. It also promotes scientific and technological cooperation between researchers in Poland and those worldwide. The St. John’s conference was part of a three-day thought leadership event that also included conferences at the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland and The Kosciuszko Foundation in Manhattan.

The conference at St. John’s focused on strengthening existing relationships between Poland and the US while creating new opportunities for joint research initiatives. Among the research and business projects discussed was the continued development of the Poland in Silicon Valley Center business development incubator in northern California.

“We were very excited to host this international conference that connected academic and government leaders across the US, Poland, and Canada,” said Maciek Nowak, Ph.D., Dean, and Joseph H. and Maria C. Schwartz Distinguished Chair at Tobin. “It was a prime opportunity for those in attendance to make recommendations on building relationships between engineering and business that may become policy. It also moved forward Tobin’s efforts to extend international academic collaboration.”