Poland’s foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski announced during a press conference in Warsaw that funds have been raised for the endowment of the chair of Polish studies which will open at New York’s Columbia University.

Since November 2007 three million dollars have been raised as a joined effort of the Foundation for Polish Science, the Polish Consulate in New York and professor John  Micgiel of Columbia University. Among the donors are the Warsaw Stock Exchange, Polish Energy Group and special economic zones.

The Chair of Polish Studies will be inaugurated next year and will offer classes and academic work from the scope of social and political sciences as well as humanities of Poland and Central and Eastern Europe. It is to be a center promoting Poland in the United States.