Rector of the Catholic University of Lublin About the Three Seas University Network: We Are Bound to Succeed

Another three Higher Education Institutions joined the Three Seas University Network. A relevant agreement was signed Wednesday, 12 June 2024, during the Local Government Congress of the Three Seas in Lublin. As Fr. Prof. Mirosław Kalinowski, Rector of the Catholic University of Lublin remarked, the Network of Universities of the Three Seas is a "pearl in the crown".

The Three Seas University Network is made up of 14 HEIs from 11 countries. During the 4th Local Government Congress of the Three Seas, begun this Wednesday, the group was extended by the Peter Pazmany Catholic University from Hungary, Georgian-American University (GAU) from Georgia and the University of Prešov from Slovakia.

According to Father Mirosław Kalinowski, Rector of the Catholic University of Lublin (KUL), the increasing interest of academia in joining the Three Seas University Network is a testament to the success of the project initiated last year by KUL. "This is not only an integration of the scientific communities of the countries of the region, but also proof of our potential, especially when we want to apply to grant awarding institutions as one large entity. By carrying out joint projects, we serve the academic and regional communities of all our partners", said Fr. Prof. Kalinowski.

He furthermore observed that each university belonging to the Network has its unique strengths and pearls in the crown, which it can pride itself on and use for a common goal. "The Three Seas Universities Network, gaining importance in European institutions, is also such a pearl in the crown. This shows that we are bound to succeed", stressed Fr. Prof. Kalinowski.

The Catholic University of Lublin is a partner of the Three Seas Local Government Congress and within its framework has hosted an international conference on the topic "The Challenges and Opportunities in the Digital Future of the University".

During one of the panels, experts discussed the opportunities and challenges of the digitisation of research. "Digitalisation has revolutionised our society, academia and the education system", pointed out Dr. Beata Piskorska, Vice-Rector of the Catholic University of Lublin, who chaired one of the discussion panels.

Prof. Michael Cowgill, President of the Georgian-American University sees the digitalisation of science as fostering the commercialisation of research and networking with investors. As he observed, "It will not obviate the human element, but Artificial Intelligence in science is unavoidable. That is why we must understand this world and be a part of it".

In turn, Dr. Zsolt Almasi from Peter Pazmany University noted the growing role of Chat GPT in the teaching of students worldwide. "This is a worldwide phenomenon and proof that, with the help of digitisation, higher education is taking a step forward in terms of professionalising teaching", said Dr. Zsolt Almasi.

Rector of the Catholic University of Lublin Fr. Prof. Mirosław Kalinowski is of the same opinion: "There is no avoiding digitalisation and AI, but they should be prudently harnessed to benefit research".