The Polish Community Centre is a specialised research and teaching unit operating within the Faculty of Philology at the University of Rzeszów.

History

The origins of the Centre date back to 1990, when the Polish Language Department was established at the Pedagogical University of Rzeszów. In 1996, it was transformed into the Centre for Polish Culture and Language for Poles from Abroad and Foreigners “Polonus”, whose primary mission was to prepare candidates of Polish origin for academic studies in Poland. Participants attended one-year preparatory courses in Polish language, foundational academic subjects, Polish culture, and history.

In 2014, the Senate of the University of Rzeszów established the Centre for Research on Polonia and Poles Abroad, with a mandate to conduct scholarly research and to carry out archival and informational initiatives related to the Polish diaspora.

On 1 January 2020, by decision of the Rector of the University of Rzeszów (based on Senate Resolution No. 523/12/2019), the Polish Community Centre was formally established through the merger of the aforementioned units. The Centre continues and expands upon the academic, cultural, and research activities initiated by its predecessors.