Farewell to Professor Mieczysław Goc

It is with deep regret that we announce that Prof. Dr. Mieczysław Goc (1951-2025) passed away on 27 August 2025. - a respected scientist, expert and practitioner, and one of the highest authorities on forensic science, with a particular focus on handwriting and document examination.

Scientist and practitioner

For more than five decades, the professor combined academic activity with expert practice, setting new directions in the development of this interdisciplinary field. He was the author and editor of numerous scientific publications, including the highly regarded book Forensic Science. Or about modern methods of proving crimes, as well as initiating the implementation of modern technologies in document expertise.

Functions and organisational activities

He held many important academic and organisational positions - was Head of the Forensic Science Laboratory at the University of Rzeszow, Professor at the Institute of Legal Sciences of the UR College of Social Sciences and President of the Polish Forensic Society. From 1997 to 2002, he headed the Central Forensic Laboratory of the Police Headquarters, and previously the forensic science division at the Police Training Centre in Legionowo.

His scientific and implementation achievements have contributed significantly to the modernization of document expertise methods and improving the quality of forensic laboratories in Poland. Professor was also an active organiser of scientific life, initiating international cooperation and participating in the preparation of the major congresses and forensic symposia.

Heritage and memory

In May 2025, the scientific community honoured him with the jubilee of 50 years of scientific work. The memory of Professor Goc - his achievements, research passion and extraordinary contribution to the development of Polish criminology - will remain forever in the hearts of colleagues, students and friends.

21st International Congress "Forensic Science and Forensic Expertise: Science, Studies, Practice" under the Honorary Patronage of the Chief of Police - updated information

On days 18-20 September 2025 w European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk will take place 21st International Forensic Congress under the slogan: "Forensics and Forensic Expertise: Science, Studies, Practice"..

The event is organised by a wide range of institutions, including Polish Criminalistics Society, University of Vocational Training in Wrocławas well as numerous academic centres and international organisations. The congress was covered by Under the Honorary Patronage of the Commander-in-Chief of the Police, Chief Superintendent Marek Boroń.

Guest of honour at the congress is Prof. Bruno Holyst, PhD, full professor, doctor honoris causa of the University of Bialystok (2011) and Nasarawa State University in Keffi (Nigeria, 2023), will be the event's guest of honour. Keffi University has awarded him the title of honorary professor and established an Institute of European Studies named after him. Professor Holyst is also a consultant to the College of Vocational Training in Wrocław.

Congress thematic blocks:

• Human rights in the context of combating crime,
• the role of academia, law enforcement, the media and NGOs,
• the contribution of non-governmental organisations to the development of forensic science,
• The place of politics, theory and philosophy of forensic science in crime fighting,
• Forensic expertology as a bridging discipline between forensic science and ancillary sciences,
• modern technology and artificial intelligence in forensics and forensic science,
• specificities of investigative activities in combating cross-border crime,
• Crime scene examination and investigation - problems, trends and perspectives,
• The complementarity of the criminal process, forensic science and forensic medicine in combating crimes against life and health.

Programme and participants

The congress will include lectures, workshops and discussions with academics and practitioners from many countries. The programme will include inter alia. issues related to the protection of human rights, the application of artificial intelligence in forensic investigations and the fight against cross-border crime.

The Congress constitutes prestigious forum for the exchange of knowledge and experienceas well as a space for networking international cooperation in the field of forensics and forensic science.

We would like to inform you that the registration of participants and the acceptance of scientific papers has been completed. The final version of the programme will be announced shortly. The full congress programme can be found here:

• congress programme,
• harmonogram kongresu.

We already encourage you to familiarise yourself with list of congress speakers and experts:

• Dr Magdalena Zubańska, Prof. UWM;
• Dr. Rasa Žibaitė-Neliubšienė;
• Dr Milena Zajkowska;
• Dr. Grzegorz Zając;
• Prof. Jolanta Zajančkauskienė;
• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Renata Włodarczyk;
• mgr Soraya Wall (McClung);
• dr Rokas Uscila;
• Prof. Dr. Tadeusz Jerzy Tomaszewski;
• MA Ilona Tamelė;
• dr Dariusz Szydłowski;
• Dr Eglė Štareikė;
• Katarzyna Staciwa, MA;
• mgr Wiktoria Skórzewska;
• prof. dr hab. Viktor Shevchuk;
• Prof. Dr. Valery Shepitko;
• prof. dr hab. Mykhaylo Shepitko;
• Prof. Dr Iryna Shepitko;
• Dr Ewa Pachura;
• Dr Žaneta Navickienė;
• Dr Mariusz Michalski;
• dr Aliona Melentieva;
• dr Renata Marcinauskaitė;
• Prof. Dr Henryk Malewski;
• doc. JUDr. PhDr. Martin Laca, Ph.D.;
• prof. dr Vidmantas Egidijus Kurapka;
• Dr Katarzyna Julia Kowalska;
• dr JUDr. Mgr. Pavel Kotlán, Ph.D. et Ph.D.;
• mgr Dawid Kołodziej;
• Dr Joanna Koczur;
• prof. dr hab. Czesław Kłak;
• Dr Pavlos Kipouras;
• Dr Mariietta Kapustina;
• dr Aneta Kamińska-Nawrot;
• chief inspector (ret.) dr Jarosław Kaleta;
• prof. dr hab. Katarzyna Kaczmarczyk-Kłak;
• Prof. UKEN Kazimiera Juszka, PhD;
• Dr Karol Juszka;
• Prof. Raimundas Jurka;
• Prof. Dr. Gabriele Juodkaitė-Granskienė;
• Dr Klaudia Jaszcza;
• Dr Dariusz Jagiełło;
• Dr Rafał Guzowski;
• Prof. Thomas E. Gundlach;
• Dr Maria João Guia;
• Kęstutis Graželis;
• Prof. Dr. Marek Fryšták;
• Dr Thorsten Floren;
• Dr Agnieszka Dalecka-Werpachowska;
• Dr Marcin Czosnek;
• Marta Czosnek, MA;
• Dr Yury Chernov;
• Claudia Caspers, M.A.;
• Prof. Dr. Ryšardas Burda;
• Dr. Janusz Bryk;
• Dr Silke M.C. Brodbeck;
• dr hab. n. farm. Agata Błażewicz;
• Prof. Dr. Eglė Bilevičiūtė;
• Dr Bakhtiyar Aliyev.

Agreement on cooperation in the field of public safety - the University strengthens relations with the Wrocław Municipal Police Headquarters

On the initiative of the Security Advisory and Consultative Group operating at the University of Vocational Training in Wrocław, was concluded cooperation agreement between the Rector of the university, Dr Henryk Fedewicz, and the Municipal Police Chief in Wrocław, Inspector Rafał Siczek.

Scope of cooperation

The purpose of the agreement is to ensure order, security and public order during conventions organised by the university, and to increase the level of security for students, academic staff and other members of the university community. The initiative is strategic and responds to the growing need to protect participants in academic life.

Relevance to the academic community

The agreement is an expression of the university's social responsibility and its commitment to building a safe and supportive educational space. Collaboration with the Police enables not only an effective response to threats, but also a implementing prevention, education and information activities in the field of public safety.

Flexibility and coordination of activities

It was agreed that the activities under the agreement would be implemented in a flexible manner, taking into account current needs and changing social circumstances. Coordination of cooperation will be carried out on an ongoing basis in order to respond quickly to new security challenges.

In the context of state science policy

The initiative is part of a broader stream of activities supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, which promotes the integration of academia with public institutions and the supports the development of universities as centres of social responsibility. Such agreements are in line with the state's academic policy, which aims not only at academic excellence but also at concern for the welfare and safety of the participants in the educational process.

Training on anti-bullying procedure

On 9 August 2025 at 5pm a training course entitled 'The importance of the training of the European Union. "Anti-Bullying Procedure in Academia"., combined with a discussion on the protection of human rights in professional and academic relations and good institutional practice in countering psychological violence.

The meeting was aimed at academic teachers and administrative staff of the WSKZ. The aim of the training was:

• to introduce the issue of bullying from an organisational and psychological perspective;
• discussing the anti-bullying procedures in place;
• Presenting good practices in addressing psychological violence;
• highlighting the importance of protecting human rights in the working and learning environment.

The training was interactive and part of the implementation of the University's efforts to promote equal treatment, safety and respect for the dignity of all members of the academic community.

Dezinformacja jako wyzwanie cywilizacyjne i zagrożenie bezpieczeństwa: przeszłość, teraźniejszość, przyszłość” – konferencja Wyższej Szkoły Kształcenia Zawodowego we Wrocławiu

Centre for Disinformation and Cyber Security Studies and Institute of Criminology and Homeland Security JSC are planning on 4 marca 2026 roku conference on disinformation - one of the key threats to the security of Poland and its allies.

Disinformation poses a significant challenge to the institutions of the states and democratic societies against which it is directed. It contributes to deepening divisions and conflicts, distorts perceptions of reality, negatively affects national and international cooperation, weakens the cohesiveness of alliances and poses a real threat to the security of Western states, including Poland.

Although about disinformation or fake news, there is a lot of talk in the public space, it reflection on this important subject is superficial and limited. There is a clear need for a forum where, among experts from academia, researchers and practitioners involved in combating disinformation, a multi-faceted consideration of the challenges posed to Poland and the West will be possible. This is the role to be played by International conference 'Disinformation as a civilisational challenge and security threat: past, present, future', the organisation of which planuje na 4 marca 2026 roku Centrum Badań Dezinformacji i Cyberbezpieczeństwa oraz Instytut Kryminologii i Bezpieczeństwa Wewnętrznego w Wyższej Szkole Kształcenia Zawodowego we Wrocławiu.

The conference is planned in a remote format, so that the participation of invited experts will be facilitated, not only from research centres in Polandbut also with United States and Central and Eastern Europewhich is particularly vulnerable to hostile action in the information space.

Central to the conference is a multidimensional approach to the threat posed by disinformation. Two international panels will focus on disinformation in our part of Europe and the challenges it poses from a transatlantic perspective. Of the national panels, one will be devoted to historical issues to better understand the nature of the problem and linkages between present and past solutions. The second national panel will focus on the challenges that disinformation poses to society and institutions. Finally, given the importance of modern technology for conducting disinformation and combating it, the final national panel will focus on the technical aspects related to this threat.

The conference will be an important international forum for reflection on disinformation. At the same time, it will be the first conference organised by the Centrum for Disinformation and Cyber Security Research, recently established at the Higher School of Vocational Training in Wrocław. The event will provide an opportunity to learn more about the work of the experts involved in the CBDC, which is intended to be an important centre for the study of contemporary information threats.

Participation in the conference will be possible for those registered. At the same time, the recorded speeches will be made available to a wider audience at a later date in order to contribute to broadening public awareness of important aspects related to disinformation.

Zapraszamy do śledzenia dalszych informacji na temat konferencji, która odbędzie się 4 marca 2026 roku.

"How can I reach for my dreams and realise myself when it is so difficult? The Alpha generation in excluded communities" - workshops conducted by the Institute of Management in educational centres in Lower Silesia

The subject of professional cooperation with people from the Alpha generation spends the sleep of many a manager who, in a few years' time, is bound to come across such employees in his or her team. We know a lot about these people, we invest in shaping their attitudes and social competences in advance, we talk about their great potential, but... we rarely look for such talents, resourcefulness, creativity and sensitivity among young people, who at the start of their own development path must be stronger than many employees of the Z and Y generations.

We were able to see such talents, the enormous potential for commitment to goals, but also the helplessness to overcome constant obstacles, at a workshop organised for young people in Complex of Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Facilities in Oława and Youth Education Centre in Sobótkawhich took place on 6-7.08.2025 r. Lower Silesia is the voivodship with the largest number of them. It is a huge resource of young and talented people.

The meeting was chaired by Pawel Ciećkiewiczteam member at the Institute of Management and Quality Sciences, but also a competence trainer and travel enthusiast. During the meeting entitled. "At the edge of the world", Paul not only took the young Alpha generation on a journey to countries he himself had visited, learning all the cultural nuances, but also showed people who, despite hard work and difficult living conditions, took on new challenges every day.

What resonated in the discussions held, where the young people were curious about various details, was that they are very knowledgeable about the world, want to visit specific places (Dubai, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Tokyo, Australia, New York, India), are clear about what they want to achieve, know what they are missing, but.... were surprised that they already had 90% resourcesto achieve this - their curiosity, passion and commitment.

They can learn the rest, even taking inspiration from others who have succeeded. Everything that each of us needs to develop ourselves and reach for more in our professional lives. The past workshop is the first such event, opening a series of meetings to which athletes have also been invited, i.e. Jerzy Górski and Kacper Koziorzębski. Topics will be interspersed with games on setting up your business, negotiating, image building, stress resilience and relationship building."

Participation of WSKZ representatives in the XXXIII International Defence Industry Exhibition in Kielce

On days 2-5 September 2025 in Kielce will take place XXXIII International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) - one of the most important events in Europe and worldwide, dedicated to defence industry representatives, military decision-makers and industry experts. Held annually, the fair brings together leading companies, institutions and delegations from dozens of countries, creating a platform to showcase the latest defence and security technologies, products and solutions. The event also provides a space for establishing international cooperation and the exchange of experience between the military, industrial and scientific sectors.

On the initiative of University College of Professional Education and on behalf of Advisory and Consultative Group on the Security of the JSC, this year's MSPO will feature: General Dr Jarosław Kaleta and gen. Artur Bielecki. We hope that the participation of our representatives in this prestigious event will contribute to the acquisition of new opportunities and perspectives for the development of cooperation with national and foreign entities operating in the field of defence. We hope that the effect of these activities will be further strengthening of the research, teaching and organisational potential of the University of Vocational Training in Wrocław, as well as the development of initiatives linking the world of science and practice in the field of security and defence.

3rd National Congress on Security Studies - Wrocław - centre of debate on the future of the discipline

On 22-23 October 2025. Wrocław will host the 3rd All-Poland Congress on Security Sciences under the theme "14 Years of Security Science. Opportunities, challenges and developments". The event will provide an opportunity to exchange views on the theoretical and practical dimensions of security research and is organised by the University of Wrocław and the General Tadeusz Kościuszko Academy of Land Forces. The Congress is also co-organised by the College of Vocational Training in Wrocław.

Scope and purpose of the event

The congress will bring together representatives of leading academic centres, experts from institutions dealing with security issues, including uniformed services and think tanks. The main objective of the meeting is identification of needs and challenges facing the security sciences and identifying directions for their development.

How WSKZ is contributing to this year's Congress

The College of Vocational Training in Wrocław, as a official co-organiser, will engage in organisational and substantive activities, supporting scientific initiatives for the development of the discipline of security sciences. The university thus emphasises its commitment to the integration of the scientific community and building a platform for collaboration between universities, experts and practitioners from different sectors.

Academic responsibility and the future - the strategy of the Faculty of Social Sciences Council

25 July 2025 meeting was held Councils of the Faculty of Social Scienceswhich has become an important step towards a modern sustainable and responsible academic future. The meeting resulted in the adoption of key developments and highlighted the importance of integration of the scientific community.

Strategy, quality, development

The meeting initiated implementation of the Faculty Development Strategy 2025-2030 presented by Dr Rafał Guzowski - Vice-Dean for Development and Cooperation. Chaired by the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr Irena Malinowska, and with the participation of Dr Bartosz Blaszczak - Managing Director, the Council focused on:

• improving the quality of education;
• developing interdisciplinary research;
• strengthening relations with the socio-economic environment;
• promotion of innovative forms of teaching.

Action plans for the academic year were also presented 2025/2026 emphasising consistency of objectives and staff involvement.

International dimension of education

The Vice-Chancellor for International Relations presented an ambitious approach to the development of the Erasmus+ programme made possible by the university's ECHE Cards. Among the priorities were:

• digitisation;
• inclusiveness;
• internationalisation.

The Centre for International Cooperation announced expanding relations with European universities and the development of teaching offerings in English.

Diplomacy - flexibility and practice

The College of Vocational Training has announced the implementation of a new graduation arrangements incorporating mentoring, flexibility and a strong link to professional practice. This is a step towards a more accessible, practical and supportive graduation process.

Responsibility and safety

Social and organisational activities presented new initiatives for the safety and social responsibility. A resolution of appointment was adopted:

• University Centre Against Trafficking in Human Beings;
• University Missing Persons Information Centre (in the design phase).

The Security Advisory Panel, together with the Institute of Criminology and Homeland Security, is preparing to participate in the 8th SAFE PLACE Congress, where social and digital security projects will be showcased.

Society, religion, mental health - what Professor Tomasz Witkowski is talking about

We invite you to read current material by psychologist and lecturer at the Vocational Training CollegeProfessor Tomasz Witkowski. His texts and media appearances disseminate psychological knowledge, emphasising its importance in a social context.

Psychology in the media - the latest topics and conversations

Thanks to their accessible format, the publications reach the general public, are thought-provoking and foster informed discussion.

• "Psychology as religion: has the cult of self-development replaced our faith?"
  Holistic News, 15.07.2025
  Read article
• "A step in the wrong direction - Psychologists versus psychotherapists".
  Interview on TOK FM radio with Cezary Łasiczka
  Issued: 17.07.2025, 9.00 a.m.
  Listen to the broadcast
• "Where there is no psychiatrist. Also in Poland - a conversation with Dr Tomasz Witkowski".
  Holistic News, 10.07.2025
  Read the interview
• "The Age of Discernment. First Confession through the eyes of a psychologist"
  Dziennik Gazeta Prawna, 04.07.2025
  See article

Knowledge that inspires and encourages discussion

We would like to thank Prof. Dr. Tomasz Witkowski for continuous sharing of experience and contribution to building psychological public awareness. Each resource presents psychology in an understandable and engaging way, while also addressing the key social issues and enriching the public debate on the role of mental health.