International programmes are among priorities in the scientific and educational activity of the Powiślański University (PSW). This has been indicated by the participation in the 6th and 7th Framework Programme, and in the Erasmus Programme (as part of the Lifelong Learning Programme), as well as the former Socrates and Tempus programmes. All the PSW Faculties have been recently involved in actions targeted at internationalization, and the idea has been expressed in the documents pertaining to the University’s mission and strategy.
Academic partners of PSW are mostly HEI’s from European countries (both EU members and non-EU). The contacts are based on framework bilateral agreements as well as the Erasmus programme agreements. The PSW will hold also partnership with HEI’s from other parts of the world, ie. Asia, North and South America, through the means of framework agreements on teaching and research cooperation. Among non-EU European countries, priority is given to Ukraine and Serbia. A number of cooperation agreements with HEI’s of these two countries have been recently signed, which will enable exchange of teaching staff and students, as well as joint educational and research projects.
The assumptions of the PSW international cooperation policy include the fulfillment of several primary goals related to the increase of internalization of the actions conducted at the University.
The goals are below:
To increase the mobility of students of all levels and fields of study – this is reflected by the increase in the number of bilateral agreements signed by the PSW, and by the variety of academic disciplines available for mobility.
To promote the development of study programmes instructed in foreign languages. The present offer comprises interdisciplinary modules and course modules for foreign students on a 1- or 2- semester mobility, as well as full-time I cycle programmes aimed at those who intend to pursue a PSW degree (the English-instructed programmes developed to date include: management, economics, nursing, medical rescue). In near future, programmes held in English, as well as II cycle studies in certain fields, are planned for start.
To make the PSW academic offer appeal to non-European students seeking admission for I cycle programmes.
To develop the student placement system, whether for fields of study with obligatory placement, or the remaining fields of study.
To increase the teaching staff mobility through maintaining the existing educational cooperation, and develop new contacts, which includes cooperation in the scope of organization of joint courses for international participants, and, if possible, joint/double degrees.
To include teacher mobility as a factor in the staff periodic evaluation system: the mobility will be weighted high as an assessment factor.
To increase the existing non-teaching staff mobility as a way to improve functioning of the University’s administration.
To learn from the experience gained by the participation in the Erasmus programme to date, as well as other educational programmes, and to maintain the existing good practice in implementing guidelines for international cooperation. The range of tasks related to international programmes includes: the constant improvement of rules and procedures of recruitment, monitoring the quality of instruction the student receives abroad, recognition of study outcomes achieved at partner universities, integration of incoming students through the system of mentors and the orientation programme, integration of incoming teachers into the PSW study curricula, maintaining international contacts in the scope of mobility, and managing the programmes at the University.
To make use of international cooperation in the Erasmus programme to date as a basis for joint educational programmes, as well as for joint science and research projects.
The main focus of the Powiślański Universityto carry out projects that support the institution’s development strategy, and are in line with the EU Modernistation Agenda for Higher Education. The institution will continue to expand its cooperation with other HEIs in Europe for the joint implementation of educational solutions that foster the adoption of best practices, as well as joint development of curricula, teaching and learning resources, polices and regulations that built the trademark of European education. The institution aims to propose projects linking the world of education with the world of work through the creation of the new multidisciplinary curricula that promote entrepreneurship and develop relevant skills and competencies. The intention is to create programmes that address the needs of an industry and are deeply rooted in a daily practice of the company. Another important factor is the exploitation of research results in industry and paving new ways for the long-term strategic partnerships that foster the generation of new ideas and interdisciplinary research initiatives. The priority for PSW is also to enhance the potential of the institution to set long-lasting partnerships with external environment, such as local authorities, NGOs and other. These partnerships would enable to expand the areas of activity, become more accessible to non-traditional students, and propose solutions for vocational training and continuing education. Another important area of activity is the implementation of projects with countries outside the EU to support changes to the organisation of work, processes, procedures and strengthen areas of functioning that are significant for the development of the partner countries’ institutions. These would enhance the processes of modernisation and lay the foundations for the internationalisation, as well as enable more intense cooperation in the domains of teaching research and mobility of students and staff.
Powiślański University is currently undergoing a process of organizational changes and modernisation due to the implementation of the new ERP system (Enterprise Resource Planning). Present focus of the organization is to improve its efficiency to better face challenges referring to increasing entrepreneurship and attracting students. Priority is put on creating encouraging environment for academics to develop their scientific interests, initiate new projects, develop international cooperation and build partnerships with non-academic and business organizations.
1.Due to the demographic changes the number of people entering HE is decreasing. The aim of the university is to prevent the negative trend by developing innovative solutions for widening participation and targeting non-traditional HE learners and underrepresented groups. Participation in the Programme will enable to build frameworks of supportive strategies and resources for the transition to HE of these groups and successful completion of their education.
2.The evolution of European workplaces demand new skills and competences and at the same time offer new opportunities for learning. The participation in the Programme would help develop new means of eliciting performance improvement in students, to achieve deep understanding and an ability to apply business concepts and develop business thinking skills. The expected impact of the Programme is the enhancement of methodology of teaching that would result in the acquisitions of skills and competences that positively influence students’ employability.
3.Study or training period abroad promotes the interactions between students and fosters a collaborative construction of knowledge through the exchange of experiences with their European colleagues. Cross-border cooperation in the domain of higher education leads to more intensified exchange of experiences, adoption of innovative practices, as well as the enhancement of didactic and research within European educational environment.
4.The University has already an extensive cooperation with companies (business councils, placements). The participation in the Programme would help define new areas of involvement of business partners, adjust courses to the needs of labour market and yield mutual transfer of knowledge to enhance the research potential and increase the level of innovation. This is especially crucial in the strategic areas for PSW.
5.Participation in the Programme provides an opportunity to establish measures that would improve the management of an institution and enhance its autonomy and accountability. By expanding the areas of activity and setting up new partnerships, the institution wishes to develop measures to obtain funding from various sources, as well as increase the potential of administrative units to manage these resources.
signed by the Rector of Powiślański University