A particularly important role in this celebration was played by our graduate, Michael K. Dembek, who served as President of the British Columbia District from April 2021 to July 2024. Since October 2024, as the Second Vice-President for Polish Affairs of the Canadian Polish Congress, he has remained the first Canadian-born and the youngest president in the history of the district. During his term, he initiated the establishment of this important celebration in May, officially proclaimed by provincial authorities, thereby strengthening the visibility and significance of the Polish community in Canada.
Representatives of our University met with the Vice-President of the Canadian Polish Congress, Iwona Malinowski, Director Sylwia Krupa, as well as teachers and students of the General Józef Haller Polish School at the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Toronto.
Special attention was devoted to the structure of the higher education system in Poland, presented by the Rector, Prof. Zbigniew Osadowski, who discussed opportunities for studying at Polish universities and academic development prospects for members of the Polish diaspora.
In turn, Prof. Robert Kuśnierz, presented the educational offer of Pomeranian University in Słupsk, emphasizing the important role of internationalization, attractive study programmes, and the University’s openness to students from different regions of the world.
The Polish School at the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Toronto is an institution managed by the Centre for the Development of Polish Education Abroad and supervised by the Polish Ministry of National Education. It is an educational institution with a long-standing tradition and a strong reputation within the Polish community. The school is a place where new generations gain knowledge at a level comparable to schools in Poland while also learning about Polish cultural heritage.
International meetings with the younger generation of the Polish diaspora are a valuable experience and confirm that Polish identity, tradition, and ties to the homeland remain alive and carefully nurtured in Canada.
We warmly invite Canadian-Polish youth to study at our University.