Arqus for Ukraine 2023
Arqus Summer School on Democracy: Ukraine on the road to Europe
Organized by the University of Wroclaw in partnership with the Arqus Alliance and the European Parliament Office in Wroclaw, this initiative traces its origins back to the Summer School on Democracy, organized by the University of Wroclaw’s Institute of Political Science in 2013. The school provided young scholars with an opportunity to engage in critical reflection on Ukraine’s ongoing political and economic transition.
The Summer School was held from 22 to 26 May 2023 at the European Parliament and hosted 20 participants: 14 from Ukrainian universities, 5 from Arqus universities, and 1 from the University of Wroclaw. Participants had the opportunity to attend lectures and workshops and to share their perspectives on the war situation. Doctoral students from Ukrainian universities presented on the political, social, and economic changes caused by the war, while doctoral students from Arqus partner universities discussed the political, social, and economic consequences of the war in Ukraine for their own countries. The specific topics were related to the scientific interests of the individual participants.
Karst and Speleology Summer School
The “Arqus Karst and Speleology Summer School” was held from 16 to 23 July 2023 for 21 participants: 19 from Ukrainian and Arqus universities and 2 from the University of Wroclaw. During the week, participants conducted archaeological and paleontological excavations, accompanied by geomorphological and geological studies of cave sediments. Excursions were also organized to showcase selected archaeological, paleontological, and geomorphological sites in the Krakow-Czestochowa Upland.
The lectures and practical classes covered topics such as the methodology of paleontological and archaeological research, the evolution of Poland’s fossil fauna, geological mapping using spatial data, and other related subjects.
Study visits
A total of 60 study visits were carried out: 20 for academic staff, 20 for administrative and management staff, and 20 for students. Each Ukrainian partner recruited participants and provided the coordinators at the University of Wroclaw (UWr) with a list of accepted students and staff. Of these, 22 participants visited the University of Granada, 1 visited the University of Graz, 16 visited the University of Minho, 7 visited the University of Padua, 7 visited the University of Vilnius, and 7 visited the University of Wroclaw.
Project coordinators at UWr’s BWM prepared financial agreements and sample documents for participants to organize their trips. Substantive programmes for the visits were created through tripartite cooperation between the home university, the host university, and UWr as the coordinating institution. UWr was also responsible for preparing grant disbursements and managing the settlement of the trips.
Workshops
Workshops were held on 24–25 April 2023, initially aimed at the administrative and scientific staff of higher education institutions in Ukraine. Experts discussed topics including ‘The Contemporary Model of University Management in Response to the Challenges of the 21st Century: The Example of the Arqus Consortium.’ The keynote focused on the university’s responsibilities in addressing the challenges of the 21st century. Additionally, a methodology for consortium building and project management in a cross-cultural environment was presented.
Academic staff from Ukrainian universities also had the opportunity to learn about the methodology for developing joint study programmes, while administrative staff were introduced to the concept of social responsibility in business.
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Arqus Solidarity with Ukraine 2024
Arqus Summer School on Democracy: Ukraine on the road to the European Union
The Summer School was held from 2 to 8 June 2024 at Wojnowice Castle and marked the second edition of this event since 2023. It was attended by 16 participants (students and doctoral students) and 4 lecturers: 2 from Ukraine and 2 from the University of Wroclaw (UWr). Seven participants represented Ukrainian partner universities, six represented Arqus universities (University of Granada and University of Vilnius), and two represented the University of Wroclaw.
Prof. John O’Brennan from the University of Maynooth and Prof. Oscar G. Luengo from the University of Granada joined the event as guest speakers. The programme included a series of lectures and panel discussions on Ukraine in the context of European integration and the current war situation. Doctoral students presented on the political, social, and economic changes caused by the war.
Arqus Karst and Speleology Summer School
The Summer School was held from 21 to 28 July 2024 in Siedlce and marked the second edition of this event since 2023. It was attended by 14 participants (international students) and 4 academics: 2 from Ukraine and 2 from the University of Wroclaw (UWr). The programme included lectures in paleozoology, archaeology, geology, and geomorphology; hands-on activities in research methodology, geological mapping using spatial data, and data creation and management in a GIS environment; as well as practical excavation activities in the Krakow-Czestochowa Upland.
Study visits
A total of 28 study visits were carried out: 9 for administrative staff, 10 for academic teachers, and 9 for doctoral students. Participants were recruited by Ukrainian partners and approved by coordinators at the University of Wroclaw (UWr). The study visits were organized as five-day conventions, with two additional days allocated for travel: 14–18 October 2024 for administrative staff and 4–8 November 2024 for academic teachers and doctoral students.
The programme included a meeting with Ms. Anna Juras, Head of the Excellence Initiative – Research University office; a meeting with Dr. Jarosław Syrnyk, the Rector’s Plenipotentiary for Cooperation with Ukraine; a workshop on publication writing led by Dr. Tomasz Woźniakowski; and a meeting with representatives of the Student and Doctoral Activity Center.
Workshops
The workshops were held on 18–19 April 2024, with two additional days allocated for travel, and were attended by 24 participants.
Ten representatives from Ukrainian universities (one from the administrative and management team and one teaching staff member from each partner university) participated in the workshop titled Introduction to Microcredentials: Microcredentials as a Tool for Changes in the Educational System. This workshop, designed for academic and management staff, aimed to familiarize Ukrainian partner universities with the concept of short-form training and the acquisition of professional qualifications, as recommended by the European Commission.
Fourteen representatives of the International Cooperation Offices—two from each Ukrainian partner university, two from the University of Padova, and two from the University of Granada—attended the second workshop, Arqus International Officer as a Leader of Change: Cultural Mediation as a Tool for Building an Open Academic Environment. This workshop aimed to establish and strengthen contacts among staff of international cooperation offices.
