Polish–Kazakh Philological Meetings: Developing Academic Cooperation between the University of Silesia and ENU

From 13 to 26 October 2026, K. R. Nurgali, Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor and Head of the Department of Russian Philology at L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, paid an academic visit to the University of Silesia in Katowice (Republic of Poland). The visit included events aimed at developing Polish–Kazakh academic cooperation, as well as lectures for students of East Slavic Philology.

This notable event marked a memorable chapter in the academic life of both universities. The success of the visit was made possible by the longstanding cooperation between the University of Silesia in Katowice and L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, as well as the support of the NAWA project “Stay with Us – Professionalising the University of Silesia in Katowice’s Offer for International Scholars”.

The joint Polish–Kazakh event was initiated and organised by the staff of the Institute of Linguistics and the East Slavic and Russian Philology programme at the University of Silesia, together with the Department of Russian Philology at L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. The jointly developed programme defined the meeting’s aims and objectives, as well as its academic and educational content.

The central event of the visit was the academic seminar “Polish–Kazakh Philological Meetings”, held on 23 October 2026 at the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Silesia in Sosnowiec. The seminar was the fourth meeting in the “Science without Borders” series and brought together representatives of two scholarly traditions. The event further developed academic and educational ties between the universities. Its main objectives were to exchange research experience, review the outcomes of joint initiatives already implemented and identify prospects for further cooperation in philological research.

Participants in the seminar included Professor K. R. Nurgali, who delivered a series of lectures for students of East Slavic Philology at the University of Silesia, and R. Nurgali, Master of Pedagogical Sciences, who was undertaking a research internship at the university’s Institute of Linguistics under the supervision of Jolanta Lubocha-Kruglik, Doctor of Philological Sciences and Professor at the University of Silesia. They were joined in the discussion by staff of the Institute of Linguistics and the East Slavic and Russian Philology programme who had contributed to joint academic initiatives, particularly the series of online lectures for teaching staff, doctoral students and students of both universities.

The visit programme included substantial academic and cultural components. Students had the opportunity to attend Professor K. R. Nurgali’s lecture series, learn about Kazakhstan’s experience in studying Russian language and literature, discuss current issues in philology and expand their professional networks. Direct interaction with Polish students made it possible both to present the achievements of Kazakhstan’s philological scholarship and to learn to appreciate different scholarly traditions, approach research responsibly, think independently and work as a team.

During the seminar, participants discussed the research topics presented, reviewed the outcomes of the lecture series and exchanged views on the further development of academic cooperation. Particular attention was paid to prospects for joint research projects, new academic seminars and lectures, and expanded academic mobility for teaching staff, early-career researchers and students. The seminar provided a forum for exchanging ideas and experience, helping to strengthen ties between the academic communities of the two countries.

Such events are particularly valuable because they enable direct professional dialogue between representatives of different scholarly traditions. These meetings encourage the exchange of methodological approaches, introduce participants to current areas of philological research and generate new ideas for collaborative academic work.

Overall, the academic visit to the University of Silesia was successfully conducted and brought to a fitting conclusion. On the one hand, it provided substantial academic experience: with the support of the leadership of the partner universities, the event acquired clearly defined aims and objectives, a programme and an evaluation. On the other hand, this joint event involving two friendly countries enriched young philologists educationally, culturally and ethically, strengthened professional ties between Kazakh and Polish scholars and opened up new avenues for cooperation in philology.

The events confirmed the importance of international academic exchange for the development of contemporary philological education and research. Further cooperation between the University of Silesia and L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University offers opportunities for joint academic and educational projects, expanded academic mobility and stronger Polish–Kazakh ties in the humanities. This is why such meetings should be held regularly: spiritual values, historical memory, scholarly traditions and a culture of academic dialogue need to be nurtured and continually renewed.

Polish–Kazakh Philological Meetings – academic seminar at the University of Silesia