From October 19th to 25th, 2025, Professor Kamil Láska from Masaryk University in the Czech Republic visited our Faculty. He came to Toruń at the invitation of the Director of the Climate Change Research Centre, Professor Rajmund Przybylak. During his stay, Professor Láska met with the Director of the Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Professor Piotr Hulisz, to discuss potential student exchange programs and opportunities for international collaboration.
As part of his visit, Professor Láska delivered a lecture titled "Long-term climate and glacier research on James Ross Island as part of the Czech Antarctic Research Programme" at a scientific meeting organised by the Climate Change Research Centre at Nicolaus Copernicus University (UMK) and the Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences. He also co-led classes at the Hydrological and Meteorological Station of IMGW PIB in Toruń with third-year students of Geography and Environmental Management, focusing on the course "Monitoring of Natural Environment."
Professor Láska familiarised himself with the activities of the UMK Meteorological Observatory, the UMK Astronomical Observatory in Piwnice, and the research conducted at the Integrated Environmental Monitoring Station in Koniczynka. Additionally, he toured the Environmental Analysis Laboratory on campus. Beyond academic activities, he visited the Copernicus Museum in Toruń and Ciechocinek, where he learned about spa treatments using climatotherapy. He also participated in a faculty staff integration event and alpaca therapy at Alpaki Toruń.
The visit facilitated an exchange of expertise in climate change research focusing on the Antarctic Peninsula region and Central Europe. Plans for future collaboration are underway, including a joint article utilising meteorological data from Antarctic stations: Poland's Henryk Arctowski Station and the Czech Johann Mendel Station. Professor Láska's visit was coordinated by Dr. hab. Andrzej Araźny, Prof. UMK; Dr. hab. Marek Kejna, Prof. UMK; and Professor Dr. hab. Rajmund Przybylak.
