"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!

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!

"Awakening" - G2 Forum in Wroclaw 2025: On the resilience of the state and society in the face of new threats

One of the most important events in Poland dedicated to geopolitics, the economy, security and innovation - the G2 Forum - is behind us. This year's event was held under the motto "Awakening", being a symbolic and analytical response to the changing balance of power in the European and international arena. It is also a call for lessons to be learned and action to be taken - both in the security sphere and in every area of public and social life.

The debates and panels were attended by representatives of the political, business, academic and expert communities from Poland and abroad. Among the invited guests were also representatives of the University College of Professional Education - members Security Advisory Group: Gen. Dr. Jarosław Kaleta, Gen. Paweł Dzierżak, Gen. Artur Bielecki, Gen. Michał Otrębski and Programme Director of the Institute of Internal Security and Criminology Dr. Rafał Guzowski.

Expert panel: Hybrid warfare - how to prevent and immunize society, local governments and business

One of the highlights of the programme was a panel on hybrid warfare and the dangers of actions below the threshold of war - such as disinformation, cyber attacks, economic pressure or manipulation of public perception of threat. Panellists included inter alia. Dr Rafał Guzowski, Programme Director of Direction Homeland Security and Criminology WSKZ and Lieutenant General Jarosław Kaleta, MD, an expert in security and crisis management.

Experts unanimously stressed that hybrid warfare is not a distant prospect, but a reality that is already destabilising societies and state structures. "Hybrid warfare is a war waged not with weapons but with information. Today the shot is not a bullet but a manipulated headline." - emphasised Dr Rafał Guzowski.

According to the speakers, a key element in countering hybrid warfare is social resilienceand therefore the ability of citizens, institutions and businesses to recognise, respond to and work together to neutralise threats."It is not enough that the services know how the adversary operates. It is equally important that the citizen is able to recognise manipulation and that local authorities are not defenceless against organised disinformation campaigns. We need to realise that resilience is not a luxury, but a necessity. Local government, schools, local media - all must be part of a system that not only reacts, but prevents in the first place." - Dr Jarosław Kaleta noted.

Resilience as a system

During the panel discussion, experts highlighted the need to create systemic solutions based on three pillars:

• Civic and media education,
• Advanced technological tools for detecting threats,
• Cooperation between administration, business and academia.

It is the synergy of these areas - in Dr Kaleta's view - that can realistically increase state resilience and counter the effects of hybrid warfare.

The G2 Forum - a space for responsible dialogue

The Wrocław G2 Forum not only sets directions for strategic thinking, but also integrates communities that rarely have the opportunity to meet at the same table: representatives of the armed forces, universities, local authorities and the private sector. The participation of experts from the College of Vocational Training proves that the university can - and should - take an active role in shaping security policies and strategic education."Security in the 21st century is no longer just about the military and the services. It's also students, businesses, civil servants, local media. We need to think of resilience as a shared responsibility." - Dr Jarosław Kaleta added.

Awakening - not just a slogan

The slogan of this year's Forum - 'Awakening' - proved to be not just a symbolic motto, but a real challenge. The G2 Forum, which took place on 12 June 2025, showed that the Awareness of risks is growing steadily, but readiness to act should grow even more rapidly. It is from such an awakening - full of reflection and decisions - that a resilient future is born. 

The new Big Five in Management - the values and vision of an effective leader

Sunday, 13 July 2025., on the initiative of the Institute of Psychology of the School of Vocational Training, a meeting of students from the Prof. Dr. Jerzy Mączyński - eminent organisational and management psychologist, recognised expert in the field of intercultural leadership. The event was also attended by Dr Artur Ziolkowski, Professor of the School of Vocational Training, Director of the Institute of Psychology, and Piotr Stępkowski, M.Sc. The aim of the event was to present the innovative concept of the New Big Five in Managementbased on the results of a long-term study conducted by the international GLOBE Leadership Project.

Five pillars of effective management according to the New Big Five

Prof. Dr. Jerzy Mączyński and Prof. Dr. Artur Ziółkowski from the School of Vocational Training presented five fundamental dimensions of effective leadership:

• Achievement orientation.
• Vision for the development of the organisation.
• Inspirational leadership.
• Honesty and integrity.
• Participatory leadership.

The meeting became a space for a valuable exchange of ideas with students on contemporary challenges in management. The role of organisational culture, the importance of ethics in leadership and the practical implications of the research findings for 21st century leaders were at the centre of the discussions.

Take a look at the photo report of the event!

Vocational Training College establishes cooperation with therapeutic centre in Aleksandrów Łódzki

University of Vocational Training in Wrocław has concluded a cooperation agreement with Special Schools and with the Non-public Health Care Institution Międzyszkolny Zakład Rehabilitacji i Korekcji Wad Postawy (Inter-school Rehabilitation and Postural Defects Correction Centre) in Aleksandrów Łódzki. The facility provides comprehensive care for primary and secondary school pupilsincluding for children with a special educational needs assessment. The establishment offers a wide range of services: psychological and pedagogical support, speech therapy, neurology, dog therapy, sensory integration, music therapy, physiotherapy and art therapy.

Purpose of the visit

Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Dr Irena Malinowska on behalf of Managing Director Dr Bartosz Blaszczak together with Prof. Janusz Soboń from the College of Vocational Training visited the facility in Aleksandrów Łódzki to learn about its activities and the way the therapy team works. The meeting was a working one and dealt with the possibility of cooperation in the area of practical training and the joint development of educational programmes.

Summary of the visit

The meeting took place in a friendly and professional atmosphere with the full commitment of the hosts. The visit confirmed the high potential of the partnership between the University and the Department and the will to continue the joint activities in the practical field of education, therapy and specialist support.

Development prospects

As part of the planned development activities, consideration is being given to the possibility of extending the educational offer University College of Professional Education graduates Erasmus' High School with Integrated Branches in Aleksandrów Łódzki. This provides an opportunity for young people with the experience of inclusive education to continuing education at university level in areas particularly suited to their interests and aptitudes.

Training on the anti-bullying procedure in the academic environment

9 August 2025 at 17.00 an online training course will be held for all staff of the College of Vocational Training. The meeting will take place on the Google Meet platform. A link to participate will be sent by email. The training will be led by MA Małgorzata Piórkowska, Rector's Plenipotentiary for Equal Treatment.

Purpose and scope of training

The training has been prepared with a view to creating a a safe, ethical and development-friendly working environment and science. Its aim is:

• to raise awareness of bullying in an organisational and psychological context,
• discussion of current procedures anti-bullying,
• identification of good institutional practices on the prevention of psychological violence,
• stressing the importance of protecting human rights in professional and academic relationships.

Addressees and importance of participation

The training is aimed at academic and administrative staff of the university. Active participation is encouraged - the topic is not only about applicable legislation, but also about an organisational culture based on mutual respect, empathy and respect for personal dignity. Participation in the training is mandatory for all university employees.