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On Monday, 25 August 2014, the Jagiellonian University Vice-Rector for the Medical College, Prof. Piotr Laidler received Prof. Ihor Cependa, the Rector of the Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. Important details concerning further cooperation between the two academic institutions were discussed at the meeting.

The Jagiellonian University and the Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University have been collaborating since 1 September 2007, when a relevant agreement was signed in Ivano-Frankivsk, during the opening ceremony of a new academic year. The document envisages joint research projects, exchange of research data and curricula, as well as student and staff exchange. It also opens the possibility of future student exchange within the framework of specific programmes, prepared by particular university units. The ongoing collaboration is especially active in the field of English Studies, Law, and Economics.

The Precarpathian National University was founded in 1940. It is named after Vasyl Stefanyk, a Ukrainian writer and social activist, famous for his novellas. From 1892 to 1898 he studied medicine at the Jagiellonian University. At that time he made friendships with many Polish modernist poets, including Stanisław Przybyszewski and Stanisław Wyspiański.

Currently, Precarpathian National University consists of 14 educational institutes and faculties, 36 scientific establishments, 3 colleges where young specialists, bachelors, and masters are trained, as well as 3 educational and consulting centres. There are more than 16 thousand students and several hundred academic staff members studying and working at the University at the moment.

The University in Ivano-Frankivsk has been engaged in a long-time collaboration with academic centres in Europe, Asia and the USA, in such areas as joint research, research quality improvement, organisation of conferences and symposia, and academic staff training. The university has signed more than 70 agreements with foreign higher education institutions.

Zdjęcia: Jerzy Sawicz

The first of 12 electromagnet blocks that will become the central part of the first Polish synchrotron is due to arrive at SOLARIS building soon. Synchrotron is a unique man-made source of electromagnetic radiation known as synchrotron radiation, used for research purposes.

"We have been waiting for this crucial moment since December 2012, when the Jagiellonian University and Danfysik company at the Danish Technologisk Institute in Taastrup, located on the outskirts of Copenhagen, signed an agreement on design and production of twelve magnet blocks which will become the heart of the synchrotron," said Prof. Marek Stankiewicz, the Director of the National Synchrotron Radiation Centre SOLARIS at the Jagiellonian University.

Prof. Stankiewicz added that "the magnets are made with the use of a groundbreaking technology created in Max IV Laboratory at the University of Lund, Sweden, and made available to SOLARIS thanks to the unprecedented collaboration between the two institutions. The innovative design of the magnet resides in integrating the typical sequence of twenty-one single electromagnets in one iron block. Such a revolutionary and technologically demanding solution substantially improves the precision and stability of the structure, at the same time making it possible to considerably improve the strength and collimation of the emitted radiation, while reducing the size of the whole unit, which, in turn, lowers the costs of its creation and use."

Since the signing of the agreement, the physicists from Max IV and SOLARIS have been monitoring and correcting the production process of this integrated magnet. At the end of the previous year, Danfysik company created a prototype of a magnet to be used for control measurements. First of all, the accuracy of the yoke and poles is tested, and then the distribution of the magnetic field between the poles is checked. Besides, the experts check dozens of components, such as the cooling water circuit, the electronic temperature control circuit, coils, mechanical links, and other elements. The tests have been successful and hence the first magnet will soon be delivered to Kraków.

The remaining 11 magnet blocks are being produced. The first of them is tested in Taastrup and expected to arrive in Kraków in the first half of September. The rest of the magnets will be delivered until the end of October.

"The hardest part is still to come, as 12 seven-tone blocks, comprising 300 magnets altogether, must be placed in the synchrotron's storage ring with the accuracy of two hundredths of a millimeter. A vacuum chamber has to be put inside, where a vacuum comparable only to the one present in the outer space is to be created. Another step will consist in providing power to the electromagnets from nearly one hundred power supplies and the preparation of the electron beam control system, to finally run the electron beam through the synchrotron storage ring, precisely tuning the magnetic beam strength in all the magnets," explains Robert Nietubyć, an accelerator magnets specialist in SOLARIS team.

The synchrotron construction project is financed from the European Regional Development Fund, within the framework of the Innovative Economy Operational Programme 2007-2013.

Photos courtesy of the National Synchrotron Radiation Centre SOLARIS

Left to right: Prof. Edward Dąbrowa, Prof. Judyta Olszowy-Schlanger, the previous President of EAJS, and Dr. hab. Michał Galas.

During the general meeting of the European Association for Jewish Studies, its members decided to elect Prof. Edward Dąbrowa its president for the next four years. Dr. hab. Michał Galas, head of the board of the JU Institute of Jewish Studies, was appointed the Association's treasurer.

It was also decided that in recognition of the Institute's activities concerning popularisation and development of Jewish Studies, another EAJS congress, entitled Searching for Roots of Jewish Tradition, will be held in Kraków on 15-19 July 2018. Over 500 scholars from Europe, USA and Israel will participate in the congress.

Prof. Edward Dąbrowa is the head of the Institute of Jewish Studies. His research centres around the history of Middle East, Mesopotamia and Iran as well as the times of the Second Temple. He is also the editor of Scripta Iuidaica Cracoviensia, a magazine issued by the Institute of Jewish Studies.

Teodor Jerzak from the JU Mathematics Student Society won the first prize in the 21st International Mathematics Competition for University Students in Bulgaria. Our university was also represented by Marcin Lara (second prize), Dariusz Matlak (second prize) and Dominik Burek (honourable mention). As far as team competition is concerned, our students were ranked 14 out of 73. The group was supervised by Jakub Konieczny, a graduate of the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science.

This year's edition featured 324 competitors from 73 higher education institutions from Europe, Asia and North and South America. As in previous editions, students had to solve 10 problems in 2 days. They had about an hour for every problem, though if they finished earlier they could devote the remaining time to the next one. The first prize was awarded to those who have solved at least 6 problems.

For the 45th time young people from all over the world came to Kraków to study Polish culture. For a few weeks, students participated in an intensive language course as well as numerous contests, games and workshops promoting Polish traditions and customs.

Grand opening
On 4 July 2014, in the Assembly Hall of Collegium Novum, reverberating with the sounds of numerous languages, the Summer School was officially inaugurated. This year, the First Lady, Anna Komorowska, is its honorary patron. The School's director, Dr hab. Piotr Horbatowski, read aloud her congratulatory letter after greeting the guests. Among this year's edition are students from various countries, including Ukraine, Russia, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany, Great Britain, United States, Serbia, and Israel. The inauguration featured a lecture by a Korean translator, Estera Czoj, devoted to translation and the presence of Polish culture in South Korea.

"Polish doesn't have to be difficult"
Despite the fact that the courses are organised during holiday season, they are very intensive – 3 to 6 hours a day. Additionally, the participants are able to attend a wide range of classes on culture, history, art and grammar under the supervision of experienced lecturers, teachers and coordinators. After the course is finished, students may take an exam in Polish, which is recognised and credited by many foreign universities. The School also conducts a preparatory course for those students who wish to take the State Certificate Examinations in Polish as a Foreign Language.

Christmas Eve in July
The School also features many accompanying events which immerse international guests in Polish culture. Students may learn Polish daces, such as polonaise or krakowiak. On one evening, a campfire was set up in the Kraków zoological garden. The campers sang traditional (and less traditional) Polish songs accompanied by a guitarist. The café in the "Piast" student guesthouse hosted the traditional celebrations of St. Andrew's Day. A Christmas Eve was also organised: the participants decorated a Christmas tree and sang carols.

Discovering Kraków
An important aspect of the Schools mission is popularising Kraków and the region. Because of that, every edition includes a location-based game. Due to weather conditions, it could not be organised outside this year, but it did not prevent the participants from having a wonderful time. In the Center for Polish Language and Culture in the World, eight teams contended with one another in an atmosphere of friendly competition. The tasks included reciting a Polish poem, recognising the important buildings in Kraków and identifying their locations, and guessing regional snacks based on their taste.

Based on a special issue of the WUJ student magazine.