The KUL Study Office for Polish community and Poles abroad started its activity in London

The Office for the Polish community and Poles abroad from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, part of the KUL Polonia Academy, was officially opened on June 11 at the Polish Embassy in London. The main tasks of the new unit - the KUL Study Office for the Polish community and Poles abroad - include: organization of stationary classes, training and postgraduate studies, conferences, symposiums, thematic debates, Polish language classes and courses improving qualifications, addressed, among others, to teachers of Polish schools.

In the capital of Great Britain, the head office will be located at the parish of Our Lady of Częstochowa and St. Kazimierz on Devonia Road. After Paris, this is the second KUL Study Office for the Polish community and Poles abroad which is launched by the KUL Polonia Academy responsible for coordinating the Study.

According to the rector of KUL, Rev. prof. Miroslaw Kalinowski, "the proposal with which we approached the Polish community was received not only with great approval, but met, above all, with great interest. Over 550 people from 16 countries, including a very large group of our compatriots from Great Britain, take part in two editions of the courses. It is therefore obvious that such an office is extremely needed in London."

The Polish ambassador to Great Britain, Piotr Wilczek, among others, took part in the ceremony at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London, which was preceded by the Holy Mass at the parish of Our Lady of Czestochowa and St. Kazimierz on Devonia Road. He reminded the audience about the huge role of the Catholic University of Lublin in the period of PRL-u, when the Catholic university was - despite communist repressions - the only university where you could freely pursue scientific studies and acquire knowledge. The diplomat further emphasized: "For over 100 years of its existence, the Catholic University of Lublin has been focusing on quality, not quantity."

He also cited current data on the educational offer of KUL, which prove that the university enjoys a reputation and which, in turn - according to him - will translate into the success of the London Study Office of KUL for the Polish community and Poles abroad.

Others who also attended the ceremony include the representatives of KUL, among whom are the director of the KUL Polonia Academy, prof. Janusz Bień and the coordinator of the KUL Study, Dr. Wojciech Wcisł. During the recent recruitment to the third edition of the KUL Study for Polish community and Poles abroad, both educators emphasized the importance of Polish diaspora courses. In the words of prof. Janusz Bien, "we often hear, as KUL Polonia Academy, that we should continue and expand educational activities aimed at developing professional skills and competences of Poles living abroad. That is why we have prepared a rich offer of courses as part of the next, third edition of the Study, which will be actualized in the upcoming academic year 2023/24."

Dr. Wojciech Wcisł, in his turn, pointed out that "classes and workshops carried out as part of the Study are more than just educational meetings." He added that "these meetings, conducted live, with the active participation of the hosts and participants, are the beginning of making friends and building relationships among the Polish community from around the world. They are often characterized by their capacity to integrate the Polish community abroad. The KUL Study is more than just scientific learning; it is, for many, a way to strengthen ties with Poland and Poles, regardless of where they live.

The opening of the KUL Study Office in London for the Polish community and Poles abroad is associated with the signing of an agreement with the Polish Catholic Mission, the preamble of which draws attention, among others, to long-term cooperation, common history, as well as the Catholic mission of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin and the Polish Catholic Mission. The agreement provides for cooperation "in the organization of conferences, symposiums and other educational and social events in London or other cities in Great Britain and Wales."

The KUL Study for the Polish community and Poles abroad was inaugurated in November last year. The classes are free for participants and are conducted by professors, lecturers and KUL experts. Graduates receive KUL diplomas and certificates at the completion of studies in Polish, English and in the language of the country of residence. For those who wish, continuation of studies is possible. Currently, recruitment is underway for the 3rd edition of the courses, which are scheduled to start in October/November 2023, in the weekend system (Saturday-Sunday) once a month (6 meetings). A detailed description of the proposed courses and the registration form are available at polonia.kul.pl.