How to be a leader who is not afraid of difficult conversations? Change the team atmosphere with conscious leadership

Already 11 May 2025 at 9:00 welcome to a unique online workshop: "Talking to an employee in a crisis situation - training for Team Leaders".. The meeting will be led by Anna Piguła, MA, an expert in communication and crisis psychology. The workshop will be held on the Google Meet platform and will have an active and mixed character - combining mini-lectures, simulations, brainstorming, case studies and individual work. The number of places is limited to 20 people, and participation requires access to a camera and microphone. Please note that registration for the workshop is on a first-come, first-served basis! The meeting has been scheduled for 2 hours.

Why is it worth it?

Psychological crises in the workplace can occur suddenly and have a major impact on the effectiveness of the team. Leaders who are able to recognise the first signs of difficulty and respond accordingly build an environment based on safety, trust and commitment.

The workshop will not only help to better manage difficult situations in the team, but also to develop leadership competences in the area of emotional intelligence and mental resilience.

Scope of the workshop

During the workshop, participants will learn about the most important areas related to the role of a leader in crisis situations. Topics include both the basics of crisis psychologyas well as specific communication techniques and a reflection on responsibility and the limits of support. The following will also be discussed conversation modelswhich facilitate effective responses to difficult team situations.

Among the topics discussed will be:

• what is a psychological crisis and how it can manifest itself in the workplace;
• what is the role of the leader in a crisis situation - What can and should be avoided;
• how to conduct supportive communication - Active listening, paraphrasing and formulating empathetic messages;
• what a supportive interview model looks like - based, inter alia, on a 4-step intervention scheme;
• where the limits of a leader's responsibility lie and when it is worth reaching out for specialist support;
• how to take care of your own boundaries and not to transfer their own emotions to the team - the role of self-awareness in support work.

Participation in the workshop will enable you to

The training has a practical dimension - focused on real-world skills that you can use in your daily work with your team. By taking part in the workshop gain tools and awareness, which will help you to effectively support employees and respond to difficult situations.

In particular, you will be able to:

• increase confidence when talking to employees experiencing difficulties;
• identify problems more quickly, before they escalate - which will help prevent absenteeism, burnout and resignation;
• hold professional, supportive conversations in crisis situations;
• recognise stress signalsburnout and crisis in team members;
• develop communication skills - from active listening to formulating empathetic messages;
• set healthy boundaries for the leadership role - know when to support and when to refer for specialist help;
• build relationships based on trust and increase the sense of security within the team;
• strengthen your mental resilience and leadership competences in the area of emotional intelligence.

Workshops will not be recorded, which will foster authenticity and the free exchange of experiences. There will also be no dedicated technical support, therefore it is worth checking the equipment before the meeting and access to the Google Meet platform.

Business from a psychologist's perspective - students from the College of Vocational Training took part in a unique workshop

An online workshop was held on 6 May 2025 entitled. "Psychologist in business - what for and for whom?", led by Dr Magdalena Slazyk-Sobol -. expert in the application of psychology in the business environment. The event was organised for Psychology and Business Psychology students as part of a series of practical meetings.

Competencies and career paths of a psychologist in an organisation

The meeting aimed to show the role and function of the psychologist working in the organisational structures of the, taking into account areas of activity, target groups and possible career paths. Workshop participants learned about the practical aspects of a psychologist's work in companies, became familiar with examples of ongoing projects and professional challenges, and discussed key competences necessary in the working environment.

Active student participation and debriefing

The workshop was met with great interest - students actively participated in discussions on the importance of soft skills, team collaboration and the specifics of psychological challenges in business. We would like to congratulate Dr Magdalena Slazyk-Sobol on the professional preparation of the meeting and creating a space for an inspiring, substantive exchange. We would also like to thank all participants for their activity and commitment!

The first research methodology workshop for students of the College of Vocational Training is now behind us!

An online workshop on psychological research methodology was held on 7 May 2025 from 17:00 to 19:30aimed at psychology students at the School of Vocational Training. The meeting was chaired by Dr Artur Ziolkowski, Professor at our University.

During the class, participants had the opportunity to structure and expand their knowledge of concerning the stages of the research process, formulating questions and hypotheses, identifying variables and learning about different research models. The workshop was a practical development of the content discussed during the semester lectures and was a valuable support in preparation for independent research projects. The event was planned in two parts - the next one will take place on 14 May and will deepen the issues discussed earlier.

University of Vocational Training co-organiser of the Lower Silesian Science Festival

We are pleased to announce that the College of Vocational Training has been officially accepted as a co-organiser of the Lower Silesian Science Festival - one of the largest science popularisation events in the region. This is an important step towards promoting knowledge and developing scientific passions among the inhabitants of Wrocław and the surrounding area.

As part of the co-organisation, a series of lectures, workshops and presentations prepared by the University's lecturers. The aim of the activities will be to make knowledge accessible and inspire people to explore the world of science.

What is the Lower Silesian Science Festival?

The Lower Silesian Science Festival is a cyclical educational event, which for 28 years has brought together participants of all ages, offering a rich programme including:

• lectures and popular science presentations;
• workshops, experiments and demonstrations;
• meetings with scientists and experts;
• educational excursions, city games and activities for children.

The event is organised in cooperation with universities, schools, research institutions and community organisations from across the region. All meetings take place free of chargeand the festival encompasses many Lower Silesian cities, including. Wrocław, Legnica, Wałbrzych, Bolesławiec, Lubin, Polkowice, Jelenia Góra, Ząbkowice Śląskie, Strzelin and Zgorzelec..

The mission of the festival is to show that Science is not just laboratories and textbooksbut also discovery, questioning and a fascinating dialogue with the world. The participation of the University of Applied Sciences in the DFN is an opportunity to to reach a wider audience with knowledge and jointly building a space for science enthusiasts of all ages. You are cordially invited!

Your first scientific publication? Gain knowledge with a webinar by Dr. Adam Rzetecki!

How do you successfully get started with academic publishing in the legal field? Already On May 8, 2025 at 5:30 pm, please join us for a unique webinar led by Dr Adam Rzetecki Assistant Professor at the College of Professional Training and author of numerous legal publications. The meeting will be an excellent opportunity to learn the behind-the-scenes of preparing a scientific article, acquiring a body of work and the successful publication process. This event is aimed at students who plan to develop academically in the fields of law, law in business and administration.

What can you expect during the meeting?

During the webinar, Dr Adam Rzetecki Author of more than 20 scientific articles on tax law, associate of the renowned publishing house C.H. Beck (author of two books) - share their knowledge, experience and practical tips for budding authors.

Issues such as:

• Selection of the study area in the perspective of correlation with one's own academic interests and the practice of legal work.
• Planning to build up the scientific outputand the process of establishing one's own position
  in the world of science.
• Ways of finding a prospective research topicand the context for shaping a coherent characterisation of the publications being prepared.
• Importance of ongoing research as a tool supporting the preparation of the dissertation.
• From researcher to experthow to find an issue of relevance to legal transactions
  and start specialising in it.
• Principles for producing professional scientific articlesThe differences between scientific and applied texts.
• Advice on collection and use of materials as an essential tool for scientific work.
• How to make an article valuable, or the principles of preparing, editing and adapting a text to the requirements for scientific publications.
• Effective publishing in the context of difficultiesthat people taking their first steps in the world of science face.

Who is this event for?

The free webinar is particularly recommended for students of Law, Business Law and Administrationwho want to consciously develop their scientific path. Participants will learn about the process of producing a publication - from the idea, to writing, to successfully submitting an article to a scientific journal.

Why is it worth it?

Scientific publications are not only evidence of a commitment to knowledge developmentbut also an important asset when applying for doctoral programmes, scholarship competitions or in future careers. Thanks to the meeting with a practitioner such as Dr Adam Rzetecki, participants gain invaluable knowledge and practical tools facilitating a start in the world of science.

Contest for a gloss on the Constitutional Court's ruling - take up the challenge and speak out on freedom of speech!

Are you a student at WSKZ and interested in constitutional law, human rights or freedom of expression? Do you want to gain new skills and train your scientific and legal skills? Stand out! Take part in the glosses competition and tackle one of the most controversial rulings of recent years!

Gloss topic:

Constitutional Court judgment of 6 October 2015, ref. SK 54/13 - the case of singer Doda and the limits of freedom of expression in the context of offence to religious feelings.

You can find the verdict to the gloss on the website: Case SK 54/13

Your task is to prepare a gloss - that is, a short, analytical form of commentary on the judgment. Show how you understand the constitution, freedom of speech and the limits of expression!

Deadline for submission of works: until 5 May 2025.

Address for submissions: glosa@wskz.pl

To win: prizes and publication of the best works on the university website!

Glos will be assessed by a professional jury.

The text must be no more than 20,000 characters with spaces. Glossary should be formatted in the following way: font Times New Roman - 12 p., leading 1.5, margins on both sides: 2.5 cm. Footnotes: font Times New Roman - 10 pt., interline 1.0. Bibliography divided into legal sources, case law, literature, Internet sources.

Detailed editorial requirements and competition rules can be found in the competition regulations.

Don't miss this opportunity to shine with your knowledge and argumentation! It's not just a competition - it's a chance to make a name for yourself as a young, critical-thinking lawyer!

The International Scientific and Practical Conference organised by our University took place on 29 April.

In an era of increasing digitalisation and global technological challenges, international cooperation is a key foundation for the development of education and research. University of Vocational Training in Wrocław (Poland) and Vasyl Sukhomlynski Department of ICT and Safe Learning Environment KPI (Ukraine) launched a joint initiative to organise International Scientific and Practical Conferencewhich took place on 29 April 2025 in an online format using the ZOOM platform.

Aim of the conference

The conference was designed as a space to integrate researchers, experts, educators and technology practitioners, enabling the exchange of knowledge and experience in the digital transformation of education. The event aimed to:

• An analysis of the key challenges arising from digitisation processes in education.
• Promoting innovative technological solutions to support teaching.
• Exchange of international experiences on the adaptation of educational systems to modern technological requirements.

Thematic areas of the conference

The conference covered the following topics:

1. The European experience of digital transformation of education.
2. Development of digital competences of educational participants.
3. Psychological, pedagogical and methodological aspects of the use of information technology in education.
4. Artificial intelligence systems and technologies in educational activities.
5. Safe learning environments in the context of digital transformation.
6. Universal learning process design in the digital age.
7. Legal aspects of the digitisation of education.
8. Ethical, social and psychological consequences of the digital transformation of education.

Organisers and international scientific committee

The joint initiative to organise the conference stems from the dynamic cooperation between the University of Vocational Training in Wrocław and Vasyl Sukhomlynsky KPI. This partnership is an example of effective international action for science and development.

Importance of international cooperation

The partnership between Poland and Ukraine strengthens scientific exchange and the development of joint research projects in education. Cooperation between the two institutions contributes to the promotion of innovative educational standards and global solutions for digital transformation.

New stage, common goals - Social Sciences Faculty Council meeting inaugurated

A formal meeting of the Council of the Faculty of Social Sciences was held on 28 April 2025, inaugurating a new phase in the unit's operation. The proceedings were chaired by Dr Irena Malinowska - dean of the faculty. The deliberations were not only formal, but were also an important moment for the entire academic community, setting the direction for the Council as a new faculty structure.

Present at the meeting

The Faculty Council meeting was attended by key representatives of university authorities, teams and unitswhich underlined the importance of the meeting and the importance of the topics discussed.

Participants included:

• Dr Justyna Jasińska-Rudzka - Chair of the Education Quality Commission,
• Dr Marek Bodziany - Vice-Dean for Cooperation and Development,
• Dr Aneta Kazanecka - Vice Dean for Student Affairs,
• Dr Bartosz Blaszczak - Managing Director,
• Dr Wojciech Kazanecki - Chairman of the Stakeholder Council,
• Angelika Potracka, MA - Team Coordinator for Science and Parameterisation,
• Magdalena Nogga - Director of the Dean's Office,
• directors of institutes,
• programme directors of faculties,
• scientific discipline coordinators,
• proxies of the rector and dean.

Such a broad representation of the academic community reflected a shared commitment to the development of the faculty and the quality of decision-making.

Key topics and speeches

During the meeting, a number of issues relevant to the functioning of the faculty and the further development of the university were discussed. Below are the most important of these:

• Organisational matters - Dr Bartosz Blaszczak presented current issues concerning the operation of the university and the coordination of key administrative processes.
• Activities of the Education Quality Commission - Dr Justyna Jasińska-Rudzka presented current initiatives, including new procedures for evaluating study programmes and measures to increase student and lecturer involvement. She pointed out the need to cooperate with the socio-economic environment in order to raise didactic standards.
• Faculty development strategy - Marek Bodziany, Ph.D., discussed priority development goals, including activities to support scientific activity, such as the registration of Student Research Notebooks and other initiatives to promote research.
• Internationalisation - Aleksandra Siewert, Pro Vice-Chancellor for International Relations, presented a plan to increase the faculty's international visibility and expand international cooperation.
• Cooperation with the socio-economic environment - Dr Wojciech Kazanecki identified new opportunities for partnerships and their impact on the development of universities and the strengthening of graduates' position in the labour market.
• Student affairs - Dr Aneta Kazanecka, Vice-Dean of Student Affairs, presented the students' voices regarding expectations and needs, which will be taken into account in the Faculty's further activities.
• Work of the Dean's Office - Magdalena Nogga discussed organisational issues, planned events and issues related to delegations and information circulation. The importance of efficient communication in the daily functioning of the unit was emphasised.
• Staff development and scientific affairs - Angelika Potracka, MA, presented the activities of the Science and Parameterisation Team and proposals to strengthen the scientific potential of academic staff.

Commitment, cooperation and common goals

The meeting concluded with an open discussion and a summary of key findings by Dr Irena Malinowska. The dean stressed the importance of all members of the academic community being active and sharing responsibility for the development of the Faculty of Social Sciences. The Faculty Council expressed its thanks to all participants for their substantive commitment and invited to cooperate on further initiatives. The topics and decisions taken are the beginning of a common path - towards a stronger, more modern and even more integrated scientific community.

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.

Excellent scientific event at the College of Vocational Training in Wrocław - guest lecture by Prof. Peter Nijkamp and Dr. Karima Kourtit

On 26 April 2025, the College of Vocational Training hosted a unique academic event - a guest lecture by two prominent figures of world science, Prof Peter Nijkamp and Dr Karima Kourtit. The auditorium attracted a large number of students and academics who attended the event with great interest. The lectures delivered by our guests were not only a source of a huge dose of knowledge, but also a inspiration for deeper reflection on the challenges of today.

Prof. Peter Nijkamp on AI in urban planning processes

Professor Peter Nijkamp, one of the world's most influential regional economists, Professor Emeritus of the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam and former President of the Regional Science Association International, presented a lecture entitled Artificial Intelligence: Save Our Souls - More Information, Better Planning?. In his speech, the Professor gave an extremely insightful overview of the the role of artificial intelligence in spatial and social planning processesemphasising the importance of using modern technology. His profound erudition, clarity of delivery and unique ability to combine science with practice impressed the audience.

Speech by Dr Karim Kourtit on the governance of modern cities

Dr Karima Kourtit, a distinguished economist and urban planner affiliated with the Open University of the Netherlands and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, spoke next. In her lecture titled 'The urbanisation of the Netherlands. Urban Love in Troubled Cities Dr Kourtit raised issues relating to urban dynamics, migration and innovation in the management of modern cities. Its interdisciplinary approach, based on research and practical experience, opened up new perspectives on the future of urbanised areas to the audience.

The lecture section was followed by a lively session of questions and insights, which turned into a passionate discussion. Students and participants in the meeting were keen to take advantage of the opportunity for one-to-one discussions with the speakersThe atmosphere of mutual exchange of ideas and scientific curiosity continued late into the afternoon. An atmosphere of mutual exchange of ideas and scientific curiosity accompanied us until late in the afternoon.

Guests visited key sites in Wrocław

The following day, Prof. Peter Nijkamp and Dr Karima Kourtit had the opportunity to learn more about the charms of Wrocław. The guests visited the city's most important monuments, starting with the monumental Panorama of Racławicewhich delighted them with its artistic grandeur and rich historical content. During a walk around Ostrów Tumski they admired the majestic St John the Baptist Cathedral - a pearl of Gothic architecture. The tour could not miss a visit to the Leopoldina Hall of Wrocław Universitywhere the baroque interiors and rich history of the city's academic life made a special impression on visitors. Wrocław Market Square with its impressive Town HallThe Pillory and charming townhouses were the next stop on the route to discover the cultural heritage of the capital of Lower Silesia. Among the many impressions, there was also the admiration of the wrocław dwarves - a symbol of the city which, as our guests emphasised, gives it a unique character and atmosphere.

Academics appreciate WSKZ's commitment

Professor Peter Nijkamp and Dr Karima Kourtit emphasised the exceptionally friendly atmosphere of the meeting, the high quality of the questions asked and the the high level of commitment and friendliness of the students of the College of Vocational Training. In their speeches, they also drew attention to the beauty of Wrocław, appreciating its rich history, architecture and unique character. They expressed their gratitude for the warm welcome and their hope for further development of scientific cooperation and further meetings in the future.