On Thursday, November 27, 2025, South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace, in cooperation with the General Tadeusz Kościuszko Military University of Land Forces (AWL) in Wrocław, completed key stages of the Hanwha Global Challenger program, valued at 1.2 million PLN. As part of the project, two modern hybrid Hanwha Smart Learning Labs were established at the university, and academy students received scholarships awarded under the program.
Photo: Hanwha Aerospace
The ceremonies were held on the Academy Day and Cadet Day, during which AWL organized an open day combined with dynamic demonstrations and a presentation of military equipment.
The Global Challenger Project was inaugurated during MSPO 2025 in Kielce and will continue until July 2026, covering nearly 2,900 students and university staff. Poland is the first country in which Hanwha has implemented this initiative, highlighting the importance of educational and defense cooperation between the Republic of Korea and Poland – one of Hanwha’s key partners.
Hanwha Smart Learning Lab – modern educational infrastructure for future officers
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Jacek Cyrek, President of Hanwha Aerospace Europe, and Col. Dr. Eng. Piotr Szczepański, AWL Professor and Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, officially opened two new Hanwha Smart Learning Lab classrooms.
During the ceremony, the Vice-Rector emphasized:
“The newly launched stage of our dynamic cooperation can serve as a model for how such a partnership should look. A combination of swift action and excellent organization (…) We are immensely grateful for the opportunity to work with Hanwha, for their flexibility and outstanding organization. The result is the creation of modern Hanwha Smart Learning Lab classrooms at AWL and the scholarships funded by Hanwha for our students. On behalf of the recipients and the entire academic community, we extend our sincere thanks. Thanks to these scholarships, our students can develop their passions and expand their competencies, which in the future will contribute to strengthening our shared security.”
Next, the President of Hanwha Aerospace Europe noted:
“Poland plays a key role in strengthening security in Europe and remains a pillar of NATO, especially on the eastern flank. By supporting the Military University of Land Forces, we are investing in future leaders who will be responsible for the security of our region for decades to come. Today’s handover of classrooms equipped with modern multimedia technology, along with the first scholarships, represents Hanwha’s tangible contribution to the development of military education in Poland.”
The new Hanwha Smart Learning Labs have been equipped with advanced educational solutions, including interactive digital boards, modern audio-video equipment, videoconferencing systems, camera sets for remote instruction, and state-of-the-art computer workstations.
After the ceremonial opening, a scientific and technical symposium organized by AWL was held in the Hanwha Smart Learning Lab.
Hanwha Global Challenger Scholarships
In the second classroom renovated with Hanwha funds, a ceremony was held to award certificates confirming the granting of scholarships under the Hanwha Global Challenger Project. A total of 16 students received financial support, selected through a process conducted jointly by the university and Hanwha.
The scholarships were presented by Jacek Cyrek, President of Hanwha Aerospace Europe, along with the Vice-Rector for Research, Dr. Hab. Izabela Nowicka, AWL Professor, and the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Col. Dr. Eng. Piotr Szczepański, AWL Professor.
Among the recipients were students with the highest academic performance, individuals facing difficult financial or personal circumstances, and those whose families have a long-standing tradition of service to the Polish state. The total value of the awarded scholarships exceeded 150,000 PLN. Representatives of the group of honored students attended the event.
The purpose of the scholarship program is to support the development of future national-security leaders and experts in the field of international relations. The scholarship recipients will use the funds for academic, research, and skills-development purposes.
Importance of the Project for Polish–Korean Relations
Hanwha Aerospace has been cooperating with Poland for more than 15 years – from work on the AHS Krab howitzer, through deliveries of K9A1 Thunder howitzers, extensive industrial cooperation on the Polish version of the Chunmoo (Homar-K) multiple rocket launcher, to the development of domestic production capabilities for the CGR-080 missile system.
Cooperation with AWL fits into Hanwha’s broader engagement in Poland, which includes:
- joint technological and production projects with the Polish defense industry,
- building local industrial competencies,
- support for military education and training,
- activities benefiting veterans and local communities.
With its three pillars – educational infrastructure, training programs in Korea, and a scholarship system – the Global Challenger Project is one of the most comprehensive CSR initiatives of the South Korean defense industry in Europe.
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