On September 25–26, Maria Grigoratou, PhD, Executive Secretary of the European Polar Council and Director of the European Polar Coordination Office, visited the University of Silesia. The visit was part of a study tour aimed at visiting the most important polar research centres in Europe. The meeting with Dr. Grigoratou was attended by the dean and representatives of the International Environmental Doctoral School, as well as staff members of the Center for Polar Studies. One of the highlights of the visit was a discussion of the role of institutions training doctoral students in preparation for the European Polar Year.