Relations between Poland and Japan, Taiwan, Korea and China have become so intense that it's high time to start deepening our knowledge of this region. We're starting with micro-courses, but I hope that the culmination will be postgraduate studies in this field. Interest in the subject is growing. I'd also like to add that something absolutely historic recently happened: the city of Osaka signed an agreement on economic cooperation with Lodz in the field of startups and creative industries, so now truly is the perfect time to acquire such skills

– said President of the Management Board of the Lodz Special Economic Zone, Tomasz Sadzyński.  

Indeed, we have excellent specialists at the university from the Centre for Asian Affairs at the Faculty of International and Political Studies, as well as from other faculties that focus on Japan, South Korea, China and Taiwan. Our cooperation will be successful for sure. I am also pleased that it aligns with the city's strategy, which focuses on these four enormous markets. We, as the Academy, want to demonstrate our willingness to support it not only economically but also socially. After all, business is also about cultural contacts and the ability to communicate

– added Prof. Rafał Matera, Rector of the University of Lodz

The Centre for Asian Affairs at the University of Lodz is a team of researchers who gained experience during their studies in China, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam, and then during their academic, consulting and translation work in Poland, China and Japan. It is the first university think tank in Poland dedicated to East Asian affairs. Analysts at the Centre for Asian Affairs conduct research and produce ongoing analyses on the domestic and foreign policy issues of the People's Republic of China, Japan, the Korean Peninsula and ASEAN countries, with a particular emphasis on Vietnam. As the Centre's Head, dr hab. Dominik Mierzejewski, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz, emphasises, their great advantage is that they speak the languages of these countries.

The letter of intent signed today provides for educational, training and analytical cooperation with East Asian countries. It aims to support the development of competencies among administrative and business personnel, students and entrepreneurs operating within the Lodz Special Economic Zone ecosystem.

Source: Lodz Special Economic Zone; Rector’s Office, University of Lodz 
Edit: Press Office, University of Lodz
Photos: Maciej Andrzejewski, Centre for Brand Communications, University of Lodz