Cooperation with universities and promotion of Polish science at Expo 2025

The Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) is responsible for preparing a program to promote Polish science at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, together with the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the Ministry of National Education. To this end, a special program called “Direction: EXPO” has been launched, strengthening the international position of Polish higher education by initiating cooperation, presenting innovative projects and educational activities in Japan.

Out of 22 applications, 15 projects were selected for a total of nearly PLN 5 million. Polish science at the Expo is represented by: Jagiellonian University, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Art and Design in Wroclaw, Medical University of Gdansk, University of Silesia, Poznan University of Technology, Warsaw University of Technology, University of Gdansk, University of Warsaw, AGH University of Krakow, Wroclaw University of Technology, and Warsaw University of Life Sciences. In addition, projects of the Polish Academy of Sciences are also presented at the World Exposition.

Presentation of Poland’s achievements and scientific offer during Expo 2025

During the Days of Polish Science and Education, universities together with research institutions and educational organizations presented their scientific achievements, including achievements in the fields of robotics, clean energy technologies and digital health. Visitors to the exhibition were able to learn about Polish ideas for a modern approach to education, as well as proposed answers to the most important challenges of the modern world, such as sustainable development, future technologies and the achievements of women in science. 

During the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) Day on April 23, 2025, representatives from SGGW in Warsaw, Warsaw University and AGH University of Krakow presented examples of joint Polish-Japanese research projects, including the results of AGH’s 20-year academic cooperation with Shibaura Institute of Technology. More than 20 representatives of Japanese universities, think-tanks and diplomatic circles attended the seminar, organized by Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) in cooperation with the Faculty of Oriental Studies at the University of Warsaw and the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Warsaw. 

Universities participating in the program of Polish attendance at Expo 2025 present their achievements cross-sectionally, in various fields: not only in the area of engineering sciences, but also in medical and social sciences. The projects of the art colleges are mainly related to the presentation of the work and figure of Fryderyk Chopin, who symbolically introduces visitors to Polish culture.

Decaphone piano and “The Cipher Girls” project

A highlight of the Polish Science and Education Days was a unique concert by jazz pianist Leszek Możdżer at the Higashiosaka Cultural Creation Hall in Osaka. The artist played two pianos, one of which is an instrument unique in the world, developed on the basis of the artist’s idea and commissioned by scientists from the Polish Academy of Sciences. It is a so-called decaphone piano, based on a ten-tone octave scale instead of the classical twelve. Leszek Możdżer’s extraordinary concert at Expo 2025 in Osaka went beyond the ordinary performance, combining science, art and emotions.

The Polish Women in Science Day on April 25 also had an attractive program. Participants of the event had the opportunity to see, among other things, a digital exhibition in English and Japanese, “A Continous Thread: Maria Skłodowska-Curie 1867-1934”.  The conference featured panel discussions with scientists from Poland, Japan, Israel and France: “Women Leaders of the World of Science” and “Icons of Science – Conversations around ’Letters: Maria Skłodowska-Curie/Albert Einstein”.

The Women’s Pavilion at Expo 2025 hosted a presentation of the Ministry of Education’s “The Cipher Girls” project, telling the stories of women from around the world involved in intelligence activities.

Polish students and Japanese universities at Poland Pavilion at Expo 2025

An important area of cooperation with Polish universities in the program of Poland’s presence at Expo 2025 is the participation of 48 male and female students from Warsaw University, Jagiellonian University, SWPS University, Gdansk University, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan and the Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology. Working in Poland Pavilion, they help show visitors the best that Polish science has to offer Japan and the world. Participation in Expo 2025 in Osaka allows them to improve their language skills, gain unique experience in a multicultural environment, gather interesting ideas for scientific papers and… have a great adventure.

The science and education events were attended by 20 leading Japanese universities, including the University of Tokyo, Waseda University, Osaka University, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University and the well-known think tank International Research Center for Japanese Studies. On the Polish side, the participants included the rectors of the universities and those responsible for international cooperation. Minister of Education Barbara Nowacka and Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Maria Mrówczyńska came to the Polish Science and Education Days for an official visit.

The promotion of Polish science at Expo 2025 in Osaka brings significant long-term benefits. For the academic community, it is an opportunity to test new solutions in practice, gain prestigious contacts and raise the reputation of the institution. It also contributes to strengthening relations between the Polish and Japanese education sectors and industry.