Absent but not forgotten. A moving meeting with Anna Jurkiewicz - President of the ITAKA Foundation
26 April at the Higher School of Vocational Training in Wrocław was given by Ms Anna Jurkiewicz - President of the Board of the ITAKA Foundation - Centre for Missing People Search, entitled "The role of NGOs in the search for missing persons. "The role of non-governmental organisations in searching for missing persons, based on the activities of the ITAKA Foundation" The speaker, who for years has been working passionately and with unwavering commitment on behalf of the missing, presented specific initiatives undertaken by the foundation, drawing attention to the importance of institutional cooperation and community involvement. During the meeting important social issues were raisedwhich was of great interest to the audience.
The complex phenomenon of disappearances and the role of NGOs
Among other things, the lecture discussed the most common causes of missing children and adults, the needs of families of missing persons, the importance of social campaigns and the principles of cooperation with the police, the media and other services involved in search activities.
The audience was able to better understand how multidimensional and difficult the phenomenon of disappearances isand how important a role non-governmental organisations play in the whole process, not only in the search itself, but also in providing support to the relatives of missing persons.
Ms Anna Jurkiewicz not only imparted a wealth of knowledge and many years of experience, but also a genuine passion that has accompanied her commitment to the ITAKA Foundation's mission for years.
Our sincere thanks for this extremely valuable meeting, which enriched the teaching process and at the same time contributed to building social sensitivity and responsibility among our academic community.
ŚLŌNSKI LEGALTECH - the conference that changes the future of law!
On 25 April 2025, Silesia's largest conference combining law and technology - ŚLŌNSKI LEGALTECH - will take place at the Novotel hotel at 16 Roździeńskiego Avenue in Katowice. The event, under the patronage of the Higher School of Vocational Education, will bring together experts, industry leaders, startups and innovators, creating a platform for the exchange of knowledge and inspiration in the field of digital transformation in law.
Why take part in this event?
The ŚLŌNSKI LEGALTECH conference is a unique opportunity to:
- explore digital transformation and learn how modern technology is changing the law firm's working model and client relationships;
- explore innovative tools, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain or legal process automation, which are revolutionising the legal industry;
- take part in the LegalTech start-up competitionwhere the most promising technological innovations will be showcased;
- establish business contacts during networking sessions and workshops.
The discussion panels conducted during the event, which will open up new perspectives, are:
- Digital Transformation in Law - Challenges and Opportunities
- Accessibility and Personalisation of Legal Services in the Era of LegalTech
- LegalTech Startup Competition
- Technological Innovation in Law - AI, Security and Design
- Implementation of LegalTech in Legal Practice
- Cyber security in law firms
Don't miss this unique event that brings together the worlds of law and technology! Tickets are on sale now - reserve your place at ŚLŌNSKI LEGALTECH and become part of the future in the industry.
For more information, visit the event page. See you in Katowice!
Read MoreResearcher from the University of Applied Sciences participates in the TOP THINKERS forum: on global challenges and the future
On 24 April 2025, a meeting was held in a hybrid format as part of the Kapuscinski Lectures initiative, organised by the European Commission and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The meeting was opened with a lecture by Dr Karine Sargsyan entitled 'The importance of the topic. "The Future of Medicine and Humanity: The Convergence of Biology, Technology, and Society".
On behalf of the College of Vocational Training the event was attended by Dr Wojciech Kazanecki - Assistant Professor at the Institute of Administration and Political Science and Chairman of the University's Stakeholder Council.
Contemporary challenges at the interface of biology, technology and society
Thinking ahead in an age of dynamic technological development requires a new approach to phenomena occurring in the triad: biological environment - technology - society. Supporting the development of graduates in the College of Professional Education and undertaking future-oriented research, the university is actively involved in international scientific dialogue. He is active not only in the Kapuscinski Lectures, but also through his involvement in the work of the Forecasting Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences and initiative Good Judgement Project.
Read MoreTalking about the future and development - meeting between the Vice-Dean and students
12 April 2025 an important meeting was held Ms Aneta Kazanecka, Vice-Dean for Student Affairs, with management students. The event created a space to discuss the functioning of the academic community, opportunities for academic development and student activity at the College of Vocational Training in Wrocław.
Supporting student initiatives and scientific development
During the meeting, the activities of the Student Government were discussed, scientific circles and were encouraged to get involved in research projects and publications in the Student Scientific Notebooks. The Vice-Dean also stressed the importance of student participation in conferences, workshops and guest lectures as important elements of academic competence development.
Psychological support and upcoming events
During the discussions, attention was drawn to the functioning of the university's Psychological Support Centrewhich offers assistance to students in crisis situations. The Vice-Dean also encouraged participation in upcoming scientific events, with a special focus on the 21st International Congress "Forensics and Forensic Expertise: Science, Studies, Practice", which will take place on 18-20 September 2025 at the European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk. More information about the Congress, the detailed programme and the registration form are available on the website: Congress of Forensic Science - Wroclaw Studies.
A chance to present yourself to an international audience
The Congress also includes a student conferencewhere students will be able to present their own papers in front of an international audience of experts and practitioners. Students are supported in the preparation of their presentations by the academic staff of our University, by offering factual and didactic assistance. This is a unique opportunity to showcase your scientific interests, gain experience in public speaking and establish valuable professional contacts both in Poland and abroad.
Don't miss this opportunity - get actively involved in academic life and develop your passions!
"The role of NGOs in the search for missing persons" - meeting with Ms Anna Jurkiewicz, President of the ITAKA Foundation
As early as Saturday 26 April 2025, at 11:30am a unique guest lecture aimed at students of the Higher School of Management "Education" in Wrocław will take place in the Auditorium of the Higher School of Vocational Education. The guest speaker will be Ms Anna Jurkiewicz President of the Board of the ITAKA Foundation - Searching for Missing People Centre, one of the key NGOs in Poland dealing with disappearances and support for their families. The topic of the lecture will be: "The role of non-governmental organisations in the search for missing persons on the example of the activities of the ITAKA Foundation"..
This meeting is a unique opportunity to find out, how organisations supporting the families of missing persons function, the challenges faced by those involved and the importance of the role of psychological support in such situations.
The ITAKA Foundation and its mission to support the families of missing persons
The ITAKA Foundation has for years played a key role in the search for missing persons and in educational and prevention activities. The organisation cooperates with the police, the Ministry of the Interior and Administration and many other state institutions to more effectively prevent disappearances and support the families of missing persons.
As part of its activities, the Foundation operates a helpline, organises social action and media campaigns, and is involved in shaping public policy on the rights of missing persons and their relatives. Many of these activities have become possible thanks to the commitment and vision of Ms Anna Jurkiewicz.
Who is Anna Jurkiewicz?
Ms Anna Jurkiewicz has headed the ITAKA Foundation - Searching for Missing People Centre since December 2012. He actively represents the organisation internationally, including in debates organised by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Under her leadership, the Foundation develops cooperation both at home and abroad, constantly raising the standards of support for the families of missing persons. Ms Anna Jurkiewicz's commitment, experience and vast knowledge make her the lecture will not only be a source of reliable knowledge, but also an inspiration for reflection on the social aspects of disappearances and the role of psychological support in crisis situations.
Read MoreAn unusual encounter with science - two stories, two worlds, one goal. Distinguished guests at the School of Vocational Training
12 April 2025 The academic community of the Vocational Training College in Wrocław had the opportunity to participate in a unique event - guest lectures by two outstanding scientists: Prof. Igor Britchenko and Prof. Henryk Malewski. The meeting aroused great interest among students and staff, confirming the importance of scientific debates in the life of the university.
Meeting with authorities - knowledge, history and inspiration
Prof. Dr. Igor Britchenko - internationally renowned economist, professor at universities in Slovakia, Ukraine and Bulgaria and author of more than 500 publications - presented a lecture on 'The functioning of the EU banking system in the context of globalisation in terms of economic security: current state and prospects'. In his speech, he discussed the impact of global economic tensions on banking stability in the European Union and stressed the importance of economic security in the context of contemporary threats. The lecture combined with examples and analysis of real processes was highly appreciated by the audience.
The history of forensic science through the eyes of a practitioner
Professor Henryk Malewski - a lawyer, forensic scientist and university lecturer - then invited the participants to w a fascinating journey through the history of forensic science. A graduate of Vilnius University, he is a former expert of the Forensic Laboratory of the Lithuanian Interior Ministry and a lecturer at many prestigious universities. Professor Malewski passionately combined science, practice and reflection. In his lecture entitled. "The origins of forensic science: people, dates, events". vividly presented the landmarks of the field, enriching the speech with personal anecdotes and historical trivia.
Student engagement and academic prestige
The event was also attended by representatives of the staff of the College of Vocational Training - Mrs Pro-Vice-Chancellor, the ladies Dean and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, as well as members of the Centre for International Cooperation. The presence of the University authorities underlined the importance of the meeting and the significance of scientific initiatives for academic education. The meeting also became an inspiring experience for all present.
We would like to thank the professors for their extremely valuable presentations and are already looking forward to future events that enrich knowledge and develop scientific identity in the School of Vocational Training.
'Management in practice - from strategy to implementation'. Online workshop with Prof. Dr. Michał Ćwiąkała is over
Practical knowledge, committed participants and concrete guidance - That, in a nutshell, is how the two-part online workshop that took place 3 and 10 April 2025. The meetings were chaired by Prof. Dr. Eng. Michał Ćwiąkała, an expert in management, entrepreneurship and an experienced business practitioner.
The workshop was organised under the common title "Governance in practice - from strategy to implementation" and collected a total of 366 registered students. The high level of interaction meant that each meeting was extended - even an hour more than originally planned.
Management complexity in business - concrete, not theory
The first meeting, which took place 3 April, was devoted to the topic of building business models, security in management and mechanisms for effective sales. The workshop lasted over 2.5 hours and was based on practical experience of the trainer, enriched with examples from real-life business activities.
Strategy, brand and process optimisation
10 April participants met again, this time around the theme of "Brand management strategy and process optimisation". Instead of 30 minutes, the discussion section lasted a full hour - thanks to the high level of commitment of the participants. The workshop provided knowledge not only about building a consistent brandbut also about a modern approach to process management in a changing business environment.
Thank you for your presence!
The workshop, which he led Prof. Dr. Michał Ćwiąkała, is not only an example of successfully combining theory and practice, but also proves that students at the Vocational Training College in Wrocław want to talk about business seriously and passionately. Thank you for your active participation and to all those supporting the organisation and promotion of the event!
Read MoreTrauma, stress, adaptation - WSKZ experts on the psychology of the uniformed services
On 3-4 April, a scientific conference took place in Konin entitled "The multidimensionality of formation and uniformed services psychology".which aimed to explore the psychological problems accompanying officers in the police, army, prison service or fire brigade, among others. The event brought together specialists from all over Poland. The Vocational Training College in Wrocław was represented by Director of the Institute of Psychology Prof. Dr. Artur Ziółkowski including MA Lidia Młody and Hubert Ludwiczak, M.Sc..
Post-traumatic growth, occupational stress and adaptation - important and timely topics
Prof. Dr. Artur Ziółkowski gave a lecture on post-traumatic growth, emphasising the importance of development after traumatic experiences. In his speech, he stressed the need to develop specialised education and training programmes to respond to the psychological challenges of uniformed officers. He also drew attention to the scale of the problems associated with trauma and the need to address them systemically.
The representatives of the College of Vocational Training - Lidia Młody, M.A., and Hubert Ludwiczak, M.A., M.Sc. - focused, in turn, on the issue of the adaptation to prison conditions. They raised issues concerning the difficulties faced by people deprived of their liberty during the initial period of their sentence - isolation, changing social roles and the impact of these factors on their mental condition. In turn, with regard to officers, they pointed to the problem of professional stress, burnout and emotional overloadresulting from daily contact with crisis and traumatic situations.
Dialogue and cooperation - a common line of support
The climax of the event was expert panel discussionThe event was attended by representatives of the academic world and various uniformed formations. It emphasised the importance of dialogue between academia, government institutions and the services. The urgent need to work together to develop effective psychological support programmes was jointly identified and systemic solutions in the area of crisis intervention.
Participation in the conference was not only an opportunity for a substantive exchange of experiences, but also to strengthen the relationship between academics and practitioners. For representatives of the School of Vocational Training, the event was an important step in building partnerships for the development of uniformed formation psychology.
Vocational training college expert at Metrex network meeting
On 10-11 April 2025, a working meeting of the Metrex network was held in Wrocław, Poland., devoted to the theme of "Foresight for Europe". One of the invited external experts was Dr Wojciech Kazanecki - Assistant Professor at the School of Vocational Training, who shared his knowledge and opinions on the future of Europe. He also referred to scenarios for the European Union, developed earlier in Brussels. Comments made by the experts, including a representative from the College of Vocational Training, will be included in the final version of the scenarioswhich will be presented at a conference in Gdansk in June. The meeting was organised by the Metrex network with the support of the Wrocław City Strategy Office.
Open to the future - WSKZ in consultations on the Wrocław 2050 Strategy
3 April 2025 Dr. Wojciech Kazanecki - assistant professor at the Vocational Training College in Wrocław and member of the Forecasting Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences - took part in the public consultation concerning Wrocław 2050 Strategy. During the meeting, following speeches by the authors of the document and representatives of the city, issues of inclusivity, public participation and the development of indicators to assess progress in implementing the strategy were discussed.
The WSKZ representative drew particular attention to the importance of building an attractive story about the city - not only on a local scale, but also in the context of the metropolitan area. It was such a narrative can become a coherent foundation for long-term development activities.
A forward-looking strategy - from scenarios to consultation
It is worth recalling that the process of developing the Wrocław 2050 Strategy has not just begun. Already in 2021With the participation of experts - including Dr. Kazanecki - the city has developed a four future scenarios, based on the Delphi method. This is an established heuristic forecasting technique for analysing complex phenomena and trends.
The public consultation will run until 22 April 2025. In parallel, Dr Kazanecki will take part in a workshop on the future of Europe as part of the Metrex network. These meetings focus on thinking about the role of European cities - of which Wrocław - in development and integration processes, which is also of particular importance for the the academic community associated with the WSKZ.
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