Next visit to Georgia
In September 2025, prof. Aleksander Sładkowski paid another visit to Georgia. The main reason for the trip was cooperation with the Central University of Europe (formerly Kutaisi University). This is a relatively small private university located in Kutaisi. The Silesian University of Technology collaborates with Georgian colleagues within the framework of the Erasmus+ KA171 2024 project. This was the first visit to the university, and in addition to working with students, discussions with Georgian faculty and managers were very fruitful. In particular, issues of joint publishing activities, the organization of conferences and the participation of Polish specialists, the possibility of internships for Georgian colleagues in Poland, and dual diploma programs for Georgian students were discussed. During the summit meeting, the rector of the university, prof. Gocha Tutberidze, confirmed the Georgian side's interest in further developing cooperation. For his part, prof. A. Sładkowski invited the rector and university staff to visit Poland during various conferences organized by the Polish side.
Meeting of prof. A. Sładkowski with his Georgian colleagues: on the left, dr. Gocha Ugulava, Head of the Research Institute of Economics; on the right, prof. Nikoloz Chikhladze, editor-in-chief of the academic journal “Economic Profile”
Another assignment for prof. A. Sładkowski was to participate in the 9th Georgian-Polish Scientific and Technical Conference "Transport Bridge Europe-Asia". This cyclical conference takes place in various cities across Georgia. This year, the conference was held in Kutaisi at the Akaki Tsereteli State University. The Silesian University of Technology is a co-organizer of this conference series.
Despite its name, the conference has long been a broad international event, not just a meeting of scientists from the two countries. The 2025 conference brought together scientists from Georgia, Poland, Azerbaijan, Lithuania, Romania, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, and Togo. The largest international delegation was represented by Polish scientists from Warsaw, Katowice, Krakow, Wroclaw, Lublin, Szczecin, Łódź, and Radom.
Conference participants in the foyer of the university library, where the conference sessions were held
In his report at the plenary session of the conference, prof. A. Sładkowski summarized the ten years of experience in holding conferences of the above-mentioned series. The conference proceedings were published in English, Polish, and Georgian (the official languages of the conference). Dr. Shalva Kirtadze, Rector of Akaki Tsereteli State University, received the heads of several delegations.
Meeting with the Rector of Akaki Tsereteli State University: from left to right - prof. Omar Kikvidze, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, dr. Shalva Kirtadze, Rector; prof. Aleksander Sładkowski; prof. Giorgi Abramishvili, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Transport Systems and Mechanical Engineering of Georgian Technical University
Conference participants witnessed a significant event in the history of Akaki Tsereteli State University. A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Ministry of Infrastructure of Georgia and the university, signed by Minister of Infrastructure Revaz Sokhadze and Rector Shalva Kirtadze. This event attracted widespread media attention. Journalists' interest in the international guests' assessment of the event was evident. Professor A. Sładkowski gave interviews to Georgian Central TV and other media outlets.
Interview with prof. A. Sładkowski
The conference's cultural and historical program was quite extensive. Conference participants visited the Archaeological Museum in Vani, home to Colchis relics. A tour of the Sataplia Nature Reserve, home to karst caves containing prehistoric dinosaur tracks, proved quite interesting. Visits to Kobuleti and Batumi, both coastal cities, were also unforgettable. For example, in Batumi, the Polish conference participants met with colleagues from the Maritime Academy. They were shown various laboratories, their equipment, simulators, and a special pool for training future sailors. All guests were greatly impressed by the hospitality of their Georgian colleagues.
Foreign conference participants visit the Archaeological Museum in Vani
Visit to the Sataplia Nature Reserve
A meeting of Polish conference participants with the rector of the Batumi State Maritime Academy, Murtaz Devadze (fourth from left), which was organized with the direct participation of prof. Pridon Gogiashvili, co-chair of the conference organizing committee (center)
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