Signing an agreement on cooperation between the Maritime University of Szczecin and the Technological University of Minsk is the first substantial effect of the official visit paid by the representatives of the West Pomeranian Province to Minsk District in Belorussia on 12-14.07.2010. On the basis of the agreement the universities will undertake cooperation at the research projects as well as the scientific staff and student exchange.
The West Pomeranian delegation consisted of:
- Władysław Husejko-the Marshal of the West Pomeranian Province,
- Norbert Obrycki – the chairman of the Commission of Development, Promotion and International Cooperation of the West Pomeranian Seym,
- Przemysław Rajewski, PhD, the MU Vice Rector for Science,
- Piotr Zarosiński-the chief specialist of titanium white merchandise at Z.Ch.”Police SA
During the visit the guests visited High Tech Park with its 84 subjects specializing in IT technologies (IBM and Microsoft belong to their biggest customers) and the third year students of the universities they cooperate with, go through their practical classes in 300 laboratories, which enables them to acquire broad knowledge to commence their career in one of thriving companies, Agrokombinat “Zdanowicz” and “Minsk”-free economic zone occupying 1.5ha with 90 residents, about 8800 employees and 75% of investors from EU comprising the types of industry branches that have not been developed so far (one of them is a Polish company manufacturing acrylic bath tubs).
Technological parks operate also in Poland (Szczecin and Koszalin), having good contacts with Vorn Pomern located zones. The West Pomeranian delegation met with Borys Batura, chairman of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee, who expressed his interest in the management branch of West Pomerania, self government issues, budget regulations and Polish experience in getting EU funds as well as the cooperation within Eastern Partnership. Moreover, he suggested organizing working groups to develop forms of cooperation. Mr Marshal Husejko has declared calling into life a group for economic affairs run by Norbert Obrycki, a group for science led by Przemysław Rajewski, whereas the group for tech park cooperation is to be chaired by the Marshal himself.
At the meeting, the issues of youth exchange as well as cultural and sports cooperation were discussed. The next visit of the West Pomeranian delegation (the representatives of our university tech parks) is planned for October 2010. The cooperation between the West Pomeranian province and the District of Minsk was started on 17.09.2008. At the first visit to Minsk and Vitebsk, on 17-21. 03.2009 an agreement on cooperation between the Minsk department of the Belorussian Industrial-Economic Chamber and the Northern Economic Chamber of Szczecin was signed. Then on 16-18.09.2009 the West Pomeranian delegation attended the International Investment Forum meant for experience exchange of economic partners from Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, Estonia, and the CIS as well as the EU countries followed by a visit of the Minsk District representatives paid to Z.Ch.“Police”SA and Szczecin Swinoujscie Port Management. During the last visit on 08-09.04.2010 the Belorussian delegation participated in the opening ceremony of the 1st International Self-government Forum.