Polish Envoy Moves to Revive Academic Linkage Between ABU and University of Silesia
The Polish Ambassador to Nigeria, Michal Cygan, is working to revive the academic collaboration between Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and the University of Silesia, Poland.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
The Polish Ambassador to Nigeria, Michal Cygan, has initiated steps to revive the academic collaboration between Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and the University of Silesia, Poland. This follows a visit to the Polish Embassy by a high-level delegation from ABU, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala.
The academic partnership, initially established in 2009, focused on renewable energy, particularly geothermal energy as an alternative to firewood, under the project titled "Save Nigerian Savanna: Geothermal Energy As An Alternative To The Firewood." The collaboration, which lasted for 11 years, benefited 13 doctoral and master's students from ABU.
Additionally, the University of Silesia had sent academic staff to ABU's Department of Geology, including Dr. Ewan Kurowska, who worked on contract from 2009 to 2013, as well as Dr. Zbigniew Perky and Dr. Justyna Ciesielezuk, who visited in 2009.
The collaboration came to an abrupt halt following the passing of Prof. Krzysztof Schoeneich on September 4, 2020. Prof. Schoeneich had been a key figure in the partnership, teaching and conducting research at ABU’s Department of Geology for many years.
During the visit, Prof. Bala highlighted the significant impact of the collaboration and expressed ABU’s interest in reviving the linkage. He extended his condolences to the Polish Envoy over the loss of Prof. Schoeneich and urged him to facilitate discussions with the University of Silesia for the resuscitation of the partnership.
Ambassador Cygan expressed excitement about the longstanding academic ties between the two institutions and assured the ABU delegation of his commitment to engaging with the Polish university to explore ways to reactivate the collaboration.
Accompanying the Vice-Chancellor to the Embassy were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation, and Advancement), Prof. Aliyu Rafindadi Sanusi; Head of the Department of Geology, Prof. Hamidu Ibrahim; Prof. Boyi Jimoh of the Department of Electrical Engineering; and Engr. Dahiru Dalhat, Head of Bulk Metering.
The move to restore the academic linkage is expected to strengthen research in renewable energy and other key disciplines, furthering educational advancements in both institutions.
