From March 3rd to 7th, the Faculty of Science and Natural Sciences and the Institute of Physics at the University of Zielona Góra had the honor of hosting two scholars from Nasarawa State University in Keffi (Nigeria): Prof. K'tso Nghargbu and Prof. Ibrahima Umru. The visit was organized within the Erasmus+ program and aimed at exchanging teaching and research experiences as well as strengthening cooperation between the institutions.
The Institute of Physics played a key role as the host of the main educational program. Prof. Nghargbu and Prof. Umaru delivered a series of lectures titled "Radiation Physics" and "Medical Geology," aimed at both students and staff of the Institute of Physics. The lectures had an interdisciplinary character, showcasing current educational and research trends being developed at their home university. Thanks to the collaboration with the Institute of Physics, it was also possible to organize specialized workshops and experimental demonstrations, which garnered significant interest.
The guests also participated in the ceremonial opening of Orientation Week and met with the Vice-Rector, Prof. Justyna Patalas-Maliszewska. During this meeting, the current state of collaboration with Nasarawa State University in Keffi was discussed, as well as the possibilities of further expanding it into new educational and research areas. It is worth noting that four students from Nigeria are currently studying at the Faculty of Science and Natural Sciences during the summer semester. The cooperation in terms of student recruitment, preparation of travel documents, organization of the study program, and contact with the Polish Embassy in Nigeria has been exemplary. This successful collaboration has been facilitated by the fact that Prof. Nghargbu has been collaborating with Polish universities for sixteen years. In addition to academic and educational ties, he has also established effective diplomatic relations with Polish institutions.
As part of the visit's program, the researchers also visited the Materials Engineering Laboratory, where Prof. Krzysztof Dudek presented the laboratory's latest technological achievements. The visit to the laboratory was an opportunity to showcase the innovative research conducted by the Institute of Physics and to discuss potential areas for research collaboration.
Wednesday provided the guests with the opportunity to participate in the Open Days at the Faculty of Technical Sciences, where they toured the laboratories of the Institute of Environmental Engineering and became familiar with its research and educational infrastructure. Both scientists specialize in natural sciences applied to environmental protection, making the Institute of Environmental Engineering laboratories particularly interesting to them.
Cultural elements and outdoor workshops were also part of the visit. The guests took part in a trip to the Geopark in Mużaków (a UNESCO site), organized by the Erasmus Student Network and the UZ Welcome Center. For Prof. K'tso Nghargbu, as a geologist involved in UNESCO structures, this was a unique opportunity to explore the local geological heritage.
The visit concluded with participation in the Erasmus Dinner, where Erasmus+ students prepared traditional dishes from their home countries. The event created a friendly atmosphere for discussions on both academic and cultural topics.
