2025

5th International Mongolian Studies Conference, December 2025

On 8–9 December 2025, for the fifth time, the Mongolian and Tibetan Studies Section of the Department of Turkology and Central Asian Peoples, Faculty of Oriental Studies (Wydział Kultur Azji i Afryki), organized the international academic conference “Mongolia and the Mongols: Past and Present.” This year’s edition was held in cooperation with the National University of Mongolia, the Zanabazar Buddhist University, and the Embassy of Mongolia in Poland. The conference concluded the series of jubilee events marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Poland and Mongolia.
During the opening ceremony on 8 December at the Old University Library (Stary BUW), the event was honored by the presence of Robert Grey, Chancellor of the University of Warsaw; H.E. Oyundari Navaan-Yunden, Ambassador of Mongolia to Poland; Dr. hab. Agata Bareja-Starzyńska, Professor at the University and Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies; Prof. Bayanjargal Ochirkhuyag, Rector of the National University of Mongolia; Prof. Sampildondov Chuluun, Director of the Chinggis Khan Museum in Ulaanbaatar; Prof. Dalai Zayabaatar, Secretary of the International Association for Mongol Studies; Ms. Urtnasan Tsakhiur, Honorary Consul of Mongolia in Poland; and Mr. Konrad Maziarz from the Asia and Pacific Department of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This year’s conference attracted considerable interest from scholars representing various academic disciplines. Among the guests and speakers were many internationally recognized researchers, including Prof. Isabelle Charleux (France), Prof. Turbat Tsagaan (Mongolia), Prof. Eredenetsogt Bat-Orshikh (Mongolia), and Prof. Quanrong (PRC). A total of 63 speakers from 11 countries (Poland, Mongolia, PRC, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, and the United Kingdom) participated in the conference.
Over the two days of proceedings, numerous engaging papers and presentations were delivered on Mongolian culture and religion, traditions and customs, history, literature, language, archaeology, geology, economics, and politics. The conference served as a platform for presenting research findings, exchanging ideas and perspectives, and fostering lively discussions, including on the current state and future development of Mongolian studies. The meeting resulted in declarations of new collaborative projects and plans for publishing a post-conference volume.
On 9 December 2025, a meeting was also held between scholars from the University of Warsaw and Mongolia to initiate the establishment of a UW research station at the National University of Mongolia. In the conference hall, an exhibition of paintings by Dorjgotov Otgonbaatar was presented, depicting the historic architecture of Buddhist monasteries destroyed during the communist period in Mongolia.
To conclude the conference on 9 December, the Ambassador of Mongolia to Poland hosted a formal dinner for conference participants and friends of Mongolia in Poland. Among the distinguished guests was the Rector of the University of Warsaw, along with representatives of academia, politics, and business. The reception was preceded by a short performance by the Mongolian musical ensemble Mongol Ajalgu (“Melodies of Mongolia”). During the event, guests could also view an exhibition prepared by staff and students of Mongolian and Tibetan Studies, presenting 75 years of Polish–Mongolian relations.
An accompanying cultural event, “The Mongolian Yurt at UW,” was organized by staff and students of Mongolian and Tibetan Studies to introduce Mongolian culture, traditions, and customs to a wider audience of University of Warsaw students and staff. A traditional yurt was erected in the Main Campus courtyard, where various activities took place, including an exhibition by Mongolian painter Sologno Tsegmid, presentations of ethnic costumes, and demonstrations of traditional games.
The conference received significant organizational and logistical support from young scholars of Mongolian and Tibetan Studies—doctoral candidates and students of the Department—who not only attended lectures and presentations but also actively assisted the organizers, with some of them delivering conference papers.
In summary, the 5th International Mongolian Studies Conference was an important academic and cultural event that attracted numerous scholars and received media attention. For two days, at the University of Warsaw’s Main Campus and in the Old University Library, participants and visitors had the opportunity to explore many aspects of life in Mongolia.
Organizers:
Dr. Jan Rogala
together with the team of staff, students, and doctoral candidates of Mongolian and Tibetan Studies, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Warsaw.

 

Students and doctoral students’ conference, October 2025

The Student Government Council of the Faculty of Oriental Studies and the Faculty of Oriental Studies organized the 13th National Interdisciplinary Student and Doctoral Academic Conference entitled “Between East and West, Between North and South” on 16–17 October 2025.
The conference was addressed to undergraduate and graduate students, doctoral candidates, and researchers academically engaged in the study of the languages, cultures, literature, philosophy, art, sociology, political science, and history of the countries of Asia and Africa from an interdisciplinary perspective. We believe it provided an excellent opportunity for the exchange of knowledge and experience, as well as for promoting cross-disciplinary academic initiatives.

 

The 90th Birthday Jubilee of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, July 2025

On July 6, 2025, on the initiative of the Association of Tibetan Community in Poland, in cooperation with the Department of Turkic Studies and Inner Asian Peoples, Faculty of Oriental Studies UW, an event titled “Tibet – A Year of Compassion. Honoring the Legacy of Kindness and Wisdom” was organized. The main purpose of the event was to celebrate the 90th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The program included a celebration of the birthday of His Holiness, along with the offering of khadaks (ceremonial scarves), a screening of a documentary film about the Dolma Ling nunnery in Dharamsala, a presentation of His Holiness’s book Voice of the Voiceless, as well as joint singing and dancing and refreshments.
Among more than 40 participants — many of whom were Tibetans living in Poland — there were also students and staff members from the Department of Turkic Studies and Inner Asian Peoples: Dr. habil. Thupten Kunga Chashab, Paulina Koniuch, MA, and Tsenyi Tenzin, MA, who co-organized and co-hosted the event.

 

 

Visit of Mr. Passang Tsering, Director of the College for Higher Tibetan Studies in Sarah, Tehsil Dharamsala, India, April 2025

On April 16, 2025, the Department of Turkic Studies and Inner Asian Peoples hosted Mr. Passang Tsering, Director of the College for Higher Tibetan Studies in Sarah, Tehsil Dharamsala, India. During his lecture titled „Higher Education in Exile,” Mr. Passang Tsering introduced the audience to the school’s activities and opportunities for cooperation within the Erasmus Plus program. The school, established in 1991, is a branch of the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics in Dharamsala. It offers various educational programs for Tibetans and international students.

 

 

Visit of Her Excellency Ms. N. Oyundari – Ambassador of Mongolia to Poland at the Faculty of Oriental Studies, April 2025

On 14 April 2025, the Faculty of Oriental Studies was honored by an official visit from Her Excellency Ms. N. Oyundari, Ambassador of Mongolia to Poland. Representing the Faculty of Oriental Studies at the meeting were the Dean, Dr. hab. Agata Bareja-Starzyńska, Professor at the University; Dr. Jan Rogala, Head of the Department of Turkology and Central Asian Peoples at the Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Warsaw; and Mr. R. Byambaa, lecturer in the Mongolian language from the same Department.

The main topic of discussion concerned opportunities for cooperation and the organization of joint initiatives within the framework of this year’s 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. The Dean informed the Ambassador about the Faculty’s preparations for the 5th international academic conference “Mongolia and the Mongols: Past and Present,” as well as plans to develop cooperation in Mongolian studies and academic exchange. She reaffirmed the Faculty’s willingness to deepen collaboration between the Faculty of Oriental Studies and academic institutions in Mongolia and expressed hope for the continuation of fruitful cooperation with the Ambassador and the Embassy of Mongolia in Poland.

The Ambassador declared her support for the development of Mongolian studies and presented her own ideas for cooperation, emphasizing its importance for strengthening mutual relations. At the end of the meeting, the Head of the Department of Turkology and Central Asian Peoples invited the Ambassador to visit the Mongolian and Tibetan Studies unit at the Faculty, meet with students, and deliver a lecture on contemporary Polish–Mongolian relations. The invitation was accepted, as was the preliminary request for the Ambassador’s honorary patronage over the aforementioned academic conference.

In turn, the Ambassador invited the entire Faculty community to attend the Mongolian Naadam festival in Powsin, to be held on 7 June this year.

Concluding the meeting, both sides confirmed their mutual support and commitment to deepening cooperation for the development of Mongolian studies and for strengthening relations between our countries and nations.

 

 

Visit of Mr. Jargalsaikhan Dambadarjaa, a distinguished Mongolian economist, political journalist, and founder of the think tank The Defacto Institute

On 12 March 2025, the Department of Turkology and Central Asian Peoples (Mongolian and Tibetan Studies) welcomed Jargalsaikhan Dambadarjaa, a distinguished Mongolian economist, political journalist, and founder of the think tank The Defacto Institute. The meeting at the Faculty of Oriental Studies took place as part of press preparations for the state visit of the President of Mongolia to Poland (13–14 March 2025).

The guest met with the Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, Dr. hab. Agata Bareja-Starzyńska, Professor at the University, and the Head of the Department of Turkology and Central Asian Peoples, Dr. Jan Rogala.

In addition to discussing the history and current state of Mongolian studies in Poland, the talks addressed issues related to the development and expansion of cooperation, as well as plans connected with this year’s celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Poland and Mongolia.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the guest donated three of his latest publications on the contemporary Mongolian economy and history to the Department’s library.