"Diagnosing addiction - how to talk, recognise and respond" - summary of a workshop for psychology students

On days 9 and 10 July 2025. a two-part online workshop was held entitled "Addiction diagnosis - how to talk, recognise and respond"., conducted by Dr Agata Niezabitowska - psychologist, addiction psychotherapist and doctoral candidate in social sciences. The class was designed for psychology students and was practical in nature, with an emphasis on real-life diagnostic situations that future professionals may encounter.

Recognition of addictions - knowledge and tools

The workshop topics focused on recognising the symptoms of addiction - both from psychoactive substances (alcohol, drugs) and in the area of behavioural addictions, such as:

• excessive use of the internet;
• gambling;
• addiction to games or shopping.

Participants learned techniques for interviewing a person in crisis and how to responsible referral to appropriate forms of support. A great asset of the classes was openness of the trainer to questions and discussion, which allowed many examples and concerns arising from practice to be discussed.

High quality and positive perception

The workshop was met with a very positive reception among students who appreciated their the value of the content, the accessible manner in which it is delivered and the atmosphere conducive to the exchange of experience.

Thank you Dr Agata Niezabitowska for their commitment and pledge to continue working together in the new academic year.

"Norms and disorders in children and adolescents from a psychoanalytic perspective"- Workshop summary

On 30 June 2025. an online workshop was held entitled "Norms and disorders in children and adolescents from a psychoanalytic perspective".hosted by Dorota Modrzyńska - Psychotherapist with many years of experience in clinical work with children and adolescents.

The meeting, which took place from 17:00 to 19:00, was very popular with psychology students. The workshop had interactive character and provided an opportunity to reflect on the process of mental development and to distinguish between what is within the limits of normal and what may indicate disorders.

A psychoanalytic view of development

During the meeting, participants were able to deepen their knowledge of the psychological development of children and adolescents from a psychoanalytic perspective. The following issues were addressed, among others:

• phases of psychosexual development;
• developmental tasks specific to different stages of childhood and adolescence;
• The importance of early experiences and trauma for subsequent emotional functioning.

The speaker also presented selected perspectives English and Polish treatment centres, which enriched the theoretical and practical context of the content discussed.

Acknowledgement and inspiration to explore the topic further

The activities were met with very positive reception. The students appreciated both the professionalism of the presenter and the atmosphere conducive to the exchange of ideas. The workshop proved to be an inspiring supplement to curriculum content, while demonstrating the importance of understanding the child's psyche from a psychodynamic perspective.

We thank all participants for their active participation, and Mrs Dorota Modrzyńska for the thorough and engaging conduct of the meeting.

Fundamentals of psychological research methodology - summary of workshop

Responding to the needs of third-semester psychology students, the ACCJC organised a two-part online workshop titled 'The psychology of the third semester'. "Fundamentals of psychological research methodology". The meetings were held on 7 and 14 July 2025. from 17:00 to 19:30 and hosted by Dr Beata E. Andrzejewska - lecturer with both teaching and research experience.

What was the workshop about?

The activities had interactive character and focused on key skills related to research design in psychology. During the workshop, participants were able to:

• practice the formulation of research questions and hypotheses;
• identify and classify variables;
• learn to distinguish between different types of scientific research;
• acquire practical tools to support critical thinking about the research process.

Through the workshop work, students gained not only a more solid theoretical basis, but also the opportunity to apply their knowledge in practice.

Positive reception and need for continuation

Both parts of the workshop were very positively received. Participants emphasised the value of the classes and their importance in preparing them for future independent research. Many of them indicated that initiatives of this kind are sorely needed and should become a permanent part of the teaching offer.

New perspectives, shared responsibility. Social Sciences Faculty Council meeting - 25 July 2025.

A meeting of the Faculty of Social Sciences Council will be held on 25 July 2025 to set the strategic directions of the University for the academic year 2025/2026 and to initiate the implementation of the Faculty Development Strategy 2025-2030. The session will be chaired by Dr Irena Malinowska - Dean of the Faculty, and the meeting will be attended by Dr Bartosz Blaszczak - Managing Director of the College of Vocational Education, responsible for organisational oversight and coordination of the University's key operational processes.

Faculty development strategy and action plans

Dr Rafał Guzowski - Vice-Dean for Development and Cooperation - is responsible for coordinating the programme work of the WNS Strategy, who will present the main assumptions of the document and the timetable for the implementation of activities for the academic year 2025/2026. The individual thematic areas will be presented by the persons responsible for their implementation, according to their areas of competence.

The discussion will include:

• Faculty development priorities, including enhancing the quality of education, developing interdisciplinary research, strengthening relations with the socio-economic environment and promoting innovative forms of teaching.
• Mechanisms to support academic mobility and international cooperation, including twinning programmes, inter-university mentoring and joint research project initiatives.

New opportunities with the ECHE Charter

In connection with the university's acquisition of Erasmus Cards for Higher Education (ECHE), intensive activities are planned within the framework of the Erasmus+ programme, in line with the European Commission's priorities of digitalisation, inclusivity and sustainability. The Centre for International Cooperation will present a strategy for expanding cooperation with European universities, the development of joint research projects and the concept of developing teaching offerings in English.

WSKZ - new diploma phase

The College of Vocational Training is preparing to implement a new diploma model, including flexible thesis delivery, mentoring and integration with professional practice. Dr Justyna Jasińska-Rudzka - P.O. - is responsible for coordinating the process. Vice-Dean for Educational Quality.

Community initiatives - strategic centres

The concept of creating two interdisciplinary units will be presented:

• University Centre Against Trafficking in Human Beings.
• University Missing Persons Information Centre - proposal.

Dr Janusz Bryk - Director of the Institute of Criminology and Homeland Security - is responsible for the content preparation and will present the scope of activities, objectives and potential institutional partnerships.

8th International Science and Technology Congress SAFE PLACE

Thanks to the established cooperation, the Faculty of Social Sciences is actively participating in the preparations for the 8th International Science and Technology Congress SAFE PLACE, which will be held on 26-28 November 2025 in Jachranka. The event will include presentations of the university's social, digital and institutional security initiatives and participation in expert panels on the resilience of facilities and spaces against war, hybrid and criminal threats. The Security Advisory Panel is responsible for coordinating the activities.

Participants of the meeting

The meeting will be attended by:

• Dr Bartosz Błaszczak - Managing Director
• Dr Irena Malinowska - Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences
• Dr Rafał Guzowski - Vice-Dean for Development and Cooperation
• Dr Justyna Jasińska-Rudzka - P.O. Deputy Dean for Educational Quality
• Dr Aneta Kazanecka - Vice-Dean for Student Affairs
• Dr Wojciech Kazanecki - Dean's Plenipotentiary for Cooperation with the Social and Economic Environment
• Dr Anna Janus - Director of the Institute of Administration and Political Science
• Dr Janusz Bryk - Director of the Institute of Criminology and Internal Security
• Prof. Aleksander Woźny - Director of the Institute of Media and Social Communication
• Dr Andrzej Chajbowicz - Director of the Law Institute
• Artur Ziółkowski, PhD - Director of the Institute of Psychology
• Dr Marika Szymańska - Director of the Institute of Management and Quality Sciences

Guests invited by the Faculty Council

• Vice-Chancellor for Science and Development
• Vice-Chancellor for International Relations
• Erasmus+ programme coordinator
• Rector's Representative for Disciplinary Proceedings
• The Rector's Plenipotentiary for Equal Treatment
• Rector's Representative for Persons with Disabilities
• Chairman of the Safety Advisory Panel
• President of the Centre for Disinformation and Cyber Security

Common vision, common action

The Faculty Council meeting is an important step in the process of consolidating strategic activities and integrating the academic community around common development goals. The Faculty of Social Sciences consistently pursues its mission of building a modern, open and socially responsible academic space.

Huge success for WSKZ - we received the Erasmus Charter for higher education!

We are proud to announce that the College of Vocational Education in Wrocław has been awarded an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) by the European Commission! This prestigious award opens up new prospects for our University's international academic cooperation and participation in the Erasmus+ - one of the European Union's most important educational programmes.

Obtaining the ECHE Charter is a great success for the entire WSKZ academic community. It confirms the high quality of education, the transparency of activities and our commitment to the development of international mobility of students and teaching staff. The Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) is a document awarded by the European Commission which confirms that the university meets certain quality standards in terms of mobility and international cooperation. With this card, the university can apply for funding to carry out a variety of activities, such as:

Student mobility:

• Study trips abroad.

• Apprenticeships abroad.

Worker mobility:

• Teaching staff trips abroad for teaching.
• Training for academic staff abroad.

Cooperation projects:

• Participation in educational projects implemented under the Erasmus+ programme.
• Partnerships between universities from different countries.
• Other activities to support international academic cooperation.

Having an ECHE Card opens up the full potential of the Erasmus+ programme to our students and staff, which will translate into enriching their experience, developing their language and intercultural skills.

This is another step towards building a strong, modern university that is open to the world. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this success!

Partner Papes another institution with which WSKZ has started to cooperate

18 June 2025. a meeting was held at the company's headquarters Partner Papes, during which the CEO, Mr Sebastian Bigos, discussed with the Chair of the Stakeholder Council and the Dean's Plenipotentiary for Cooperation with the Socio-Economic Environment, dr. Wojciech Kazanecki, the extent of cooperation in relation to student development, as well as in the areas of teaching and research and development.

Partner Papes has been distributing and supplying school and office supplies to 10,000 companies nationwide for 30 years.

Supreme Technical Organisation in Legnica partner of WSKZ

17 June 2025 at the NOT in Legnica A meeting was held between representatives of the Legnica Chief Technical Organisation, chaired by Director Stanisław Sirojcio, and the Chairman of the WSKZ Stakeholder Council, Dr Wojciech Kazanecki, on cooperation between the university and NOT. During the discussions, the topic of joint training and student internships was discussed. 

Vice-President, Office Director Mr Stanisław Sirojć signs the cooperation agreement. Photo WK.

Cooperation agreement between the Higher Vocational Training School and the Centre for Preparations for Foreign Missions

We are delighted to announce that on 13 June 2025 was signed cooperation agreement between:

• dr. Bartosz Blaszczak, Managing Director University College of Professional Education in Wrocław, a
• Col. Krzysztof Orzech, representing Centre for Preparations for Foreign Missions in Kielce.

This agreement is the result of several months of joint activities aimed at establishing a lasting partnership between academia and an institution of strategic importance to international security.

The preparation of the agreement actively involved representatives of Advisory and Consultative Group on Security of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Vocational Trainingwho played a key substantive and expert role in developing its principles and a shared vision for further cooperation.

The scope of the agreement includes inter alia.:

• the organisation of training courses, seminars and workshops on security, crisis management and preparation for international missions;
• the participation of the Centre's experts in the teaching process, as lecturers and expert advisors;
• implementation of work placements and research projects by WSKZ students;
• co-creation of educational materials and initiatives to promote knowledge in the field of defence and international cooperation.

The agreement concluded is an important step towards strengthening the practical dimension of education and to develop students' competences in areas related to security, public administration and inter-institutional and international cooperation.

WSKZ at the Legnica Business Meeting as part of the Partner Business Clubs

On On 12 June, WSKZ representatives met for the third time with the elite of the local business community - this time on Legnica Business Meeting. At the meeting, there was an opportunity to share experiences and build a solid foundation for the further cooperation agreements - in line with the philosophy prevailing at our university, according to which relations with business and representatives of public and third sector institutions are at the core of thinking about student education.

Above-average workshop activity of Mr Bartosz Glowacki - Inspiration, Professionalism, Passion

In the summer semester of the academic year 2024/2025, Mr Bartosz Głowacki (Institute of Psychology of the JSC) organised a a series of unique development and integration workshops, which have met with a very positive response from participants. In total, he conducted six diverse meetings with topics including personal development, confidence boosting, aromatherapy, light therapy, artistic expression and the creation of natural cosmetics.

Each event was perfectly prepared - from the substantive structure to the visual material and photographic documentation. As the Institute of Psychology at WSKZ, we would like to express our special appreciation for Mr Bartosz's professionalism, creativity and enormous commitment. His work is an excellent example of valuable educational and integrative activities in the academic environment.

List of workshops held:

2. "Discover Your Strength. A journey to inner confidence"
   Date: 31.01.2025
   Topics: Discovering strengths and talents, creative exercises (jewellery making), stress reduction techniques.
3. "Scent of power" - scented candle making and self-esteem enhancement workshop
   Date: 22.02.2025
   Topics: Aromatherapy, self-esteem exercises, creative expression through candle making.
4. "Strength and Harmony" - light therapy and aromatherapy
   Date: 22.03.2025
   Topics: relaxation, colour therapy, creating a relaxation kit, coffee peeling.
5. "Natural cosmetics - practical workshop".
   Date: 25.04.2025
   Topics: creating natural cosmetics, education about ingredients, empowering femininity.
6. "Smile in the lens" - workshops with elements of speech therapy and facial gymnastics
   Date: 17.05.2025
   Topics: Mimicry, mouth and tongue gymnastics, integration through photography.
7. "The power of community and support" - creative and integrative workshop for women
   Date: 21.06.2025
   Topics: relationship building, artistic activities (photo frames), interpersonal development.

On behalf of the Director of the Institute of Psychology - Dr Artur Ziolkowski, Prof. WSKZ, and the entire Institute community, thank you for your exceptional contribution in the teaching and social life of our University!