Manipal, 23^rd February 2021.

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, celebrated Polish Science Day on February 19th with a specially curated event organized by the Office of International Affairs and Collaborations and Department of Languages. Polish Science Day commemorates the birthday of the famous Polish mathematician and astronomer, Nicolaus Copernicus who formulated a model of the universe that placed the Sun rather than Earth at the center of the universe. It was a tribute to the entire Polish academic community for their impact on the course of human history.

The high-profile virtual event at Manipal saw the inauguration of a NAWA (Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange) Office at Manipal, which will be headed by Ms. Justyna Guziak, the Polish language instructor at MAHE. The Chief Guest of the event was His Excellency Adam Burakowski, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to India, who welcomed the initiative as a step in the right direction for enhancing closer ties that Poland and India share. Dr.GrażynaŻebrowska, Director General of NAWA outlined the vision for Polish language and culture studies in India. mentioned that such an Information Office was the first-of-its-kind inthe world. NAWA is expected to build the intellectual capacity of Poland through science diplomacy and international scientific cooperation. The Vice-Rector, Adam Mickiewicz University (AMU), Poznan Prof.RafałWitkowski, and the Vice-Chancellor of MAHE, Lt. Gen. Dr. M.D Venkatesh signed a memorandum of understanding, initiating academic cooperation between AMU and MAHE.

Mr. Raghu C Rajappa, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland in Bengaluru, who was the other guest of honor reiterated his role in promoting a closer relationship between Poland and Karnataka in education, tourism, technology, industry development, investment and other fields.