In the Poland Pavilion at Expo Dubai 2020, the visitors will have an opportunity to see an exhibition about the achievements of Polish medicine, both from the past and the present. Currently, this subject is particularly important as more and more young people from Arab countries wish to study at Polish medical and technology universities. The exhibition, however, is just one among numerous events of the Polish Science Week, which takes place from 17 to 23 February. Both the young and the slightly older may expect lots of attractions.
The “POLAND – THE HEART OF EUROPE” exhibition is a multimedia show presenting the history of medicine in Poland and the contribution of Polish scientists and medical doctors to world medicine. The show is divided into six thematic areas: brain and sensory organs, cancer and immunology, cardiovascular diseases, surgery and organ transplantation, infectious diseases, and paediatrics. The exhibition presents breakthrough moments, the most important discoveries, successful surgeries, for instance the discovery of the blood group system and the Rh factor, the creation of a vaccine against typhoid fever, the preparation of the world’s first vaccine against polio, the development of a method of gastrointestinal endoscopy, the creation of a surgical mask. It also shows outstanding personalities, as each thematic area has its own heroes – both from the past and the present. They include, among others, Nicolaus Copernicus, Maria Curie-Skłodowska, Ludwik Hirszfeld, Tadeusz Krwawicz, Napoleon Cybulski, Jan Mikulicz-Radecki, or Zbigniew Religa.
‘In today’s world, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the subject of our exhibition is particularly relevant. It tells not only about the contribution of Polish scientists and medical doctors to the development of world medicine, but also underlines the importance of international cooperation and exchange of scientific experience. That is why, our presentation ends with the topic of networking of universities, research centres and research units,’ explains Dr. Grażyna Żebrowska, Director of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange.
The subject of medicine in the Poland Pavilion at EXPO Dubai is presented for a reason. Currently, an ever-growing group of foreign students at Polish medical and technology universities are students from the Arab countries. Just to cite the numbers: more than 670 out of over 2,300 students of Arab descent are studying medical sciences.
But the exhibition is just one of a number of events accompanying the Polish Science Week at EXPO Dubai 2020. The whole array of attractions will be presented on the Polish Science Day. It traditionally falls on 19 February, which is the birthday of one of the most famous Polish scientists in history, i.e. Nicolaus Copernicus. On this day, the “POLAND – THE HEART OF EUROPE” exhibition will be officially opened (at 12 pm). Its programme includes, among others, shows prepared by the Copernicus Science Centre (11.00 am, 1.30 pm, 3.00 pm and 4.30 pm), a meeting with Dr. Tomasz Rożek and presentation of his game “Academy of Super Heroes” (12.30 pm), workshops for children (12.00-8.00 pm), Chopin concerts (4.00 pm, 6.30 pm and 9.00 pm), a piano concert (5.15 pm), and a jazz concert (7.00 pm).
‘In our pavilion we depict Poland as a country of great opportunities and state-of-the-art technologies, and a country that responds to the challenges of the modern age. The Polish Science Week is not only about showing the potential of our universities and the research they conduct. It is also about modern way of presenting them. Hence, we have shows prepared by the Copernicus Science Centre or prominent Polish scientists as the heroes of an educational game. This is how science can capture the minds of young people today,’ says Adrian Malinowski, General Commissioner of the Polish Section of EXPO Dubai 2020.
In addition, as part of the Polish presence at EXPO Dubai, an education fair has been planned (20-21 February) with the participation of several Polish HEI. Young people interested in studying in Poland will be able to get acquainted with the universities’ offer as part of the “Ready, Study, Go! Poland” campaign.
On 22 February we celebrate the Polish Academy of Sciences Day at EXPO2020. It will begin with a networking session at 12.15 pm, then Professor Jerzy Duszyński, President of PAS, will talk about the Academy. Afterwards, there will be panel discussions about COVID-19 and developments in the area of polar research. During the meeting dedicated to the Polish polar research we will connect with the Polish Polar Station on Spitsbergen.
On 23 February we celebrate the Łukasiewicz Research Network Day, a unique project that combines research and commercial potential. There will be thematic panels on topics such as science for business or future technologies. A networking meeting is planned as well.