University of Lodz, for a few days, was a world centre in terms of internationalisation training. International Staff Week – an event for 20 employees of partner universities representing 12 countries has come to an end. The main theme of the training was the internationalisation of universities at many levels, from different perspectives and in different cultures ("New scenarios of internationalisation – recognizing needs, facing challenges, designing solutions").

The International Staff Week at the University of Lodz was attended by representatives of 12 countries: Ukraine, Dominican Republic, Finland, Bulgaria, Ireland, Turkey, Spain, Romania, Belgium, Hungary, Croatia, Montenegro.

The agenda of the meeting included the following topics:

  • European Universities Alliance
  • Internationalisation in the age of digitisation
  • Communications with Generation Z
  • Student needs – how to recognise them?
  • Blended Intensive Programs (BIP)

Getting to know the University of Lodz units

A group photo of the programme participants(photo: Maciej Andrzejewski, Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz)

During five intensive days, from 29 May to 2 June, the participants of the International Staff Week got acquainted with good practices of various University of Lodz units:

Interesting programme – workshops, integration meetings and the satisfied participants

The programme was full of sessions, workshops, group work and integration meetings, which ensured a great atmosphere and new friendships. There was also a guided tour of the monuments of Lodz and a joint lunch.

This is how the meeting is assessed by some of its participants:

Thank you, all! It was so well organised, both practically and content wise. (…) It was truly a pleasure to be a part of the group

– Elke Lingier from the University of Antwerp (Belgium)

There are so many things that I have taken away from our time in Lodz, but the overarching feelings are that of gratitude and excitement. (…) Your open welcome and honest attitude ensured top quality engagement and discussion. I feel ready to take on the future world of education after this, safe in the knowledge that across Europe and indeed beyond we are facing the same challenges, yet all we need to do is to reach out for connection and collaboration as we seek to solve issues that are present in new worlds.

– Kathy Bradley from the University College Cork (Ireland)

This has been the second event of this type organised by the International Relations Office since the pandemic. We hope that next year we will meet more internationalisation specialists.

Photo report of the International Staff Week 2023

Source: International Relations Office, University of Lodz

Edit: Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz