Lecture by a legend of Polish forensic science at WSKZ

It is with great pleasure that we announce that on 17 May at 11:30 a.m. in the John Paul II Auditorium at Wrocław University of Life Sciences, a distinguished expert in forensic science and forensic psychology will be a guest of the Higher School of Vocational Education - the Prof. Dr. h.c. mult. Brunon Hołyst.

He will give an open lecture that is sure to be of interest to all lovers of law, psychology and criminology. Professor Bruno Holyst's lectures are renowned for their charisma, erudition and extraordinary ability to translate difficult content into a fascinating story
about man, society and crime.

Who is Professor Bruno Holyst?

Professor Brunon Hołyst is a legend of Polish criminology - lawyer, criminologist, suicidologist. Distinguished professor, doctor habilitated and doctor honoris causa University of Bialystok (2011) and Nasarawa State University in Keffi (Nigeria, 2023). Keffi University awarded him the title honorary professor and set up an Institute for European Studies his name. He is also a consultant University of Vocational Training in Wrocław.

He specialises in forensic science, criminology and victimology. He holds professorial positions in Academy of Applied Sciences in Warsaw and on University of Siedlceand honorary professor University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn.

He is the initiator and founder of Polish Forensic Association, Honorary President of the Polish Society of Mental Hygiene and President of the Polish Suicidological Society. He serves on numerous international scientific committees and has lectured as a visiting professor in many countries, discussing suicidology, victimology
and criminology.

He is the author of more than 1250 publications, including 80 books and academic textbooks, which have been published, among others, in USA, Canada, UK, Japan, China, Germany, Ukraine, Russia and Nigeria. He is a respected expert not only in the world of academia, but also in the legal and law enforcement practice communities. WSKZ students and lecturers are cordially invited to attend.

Summary of the National Academic Conference on the Presidency of the Republic of Poland - an interdisciplinary look at elections and the political system

13 May an All-Poland Academic Conference devoted to the institution of the President of the Republic of Poland was held. The event brought together a wide range of experts - from constitutionalists to political scientists and public life practitioners - who jointly discussed the subject of presidential elections, election campaigns and the systemic role of the head of state. The conference was organised by Centre for Constitutional Law and Rule of Law Monitoring in cooperation with College of Advanced Vocational Training in Wrocław, and was moderated by Dr Kamil Stępniak, President of the Centre.

The meeting provided an important space for the exchange of views and interdisciplinary reflection on the current and future shape of the presidency in Poland. Changes in law, technology and society that affect the functioning of the presidential office and the transparency of electoral processes were discussed.

Law.co.uk has published an article on the conference we are organising, which addresses, among other things, the legal regulation of the use of AI and deep fakes in election campaigns: see material.

Experts and speaking topics - the voice of the speakers on modern challenges of the presidency

Recognised specialists representing various fields of knowledge spoke at the conference:

• Anna Bigaj from the University of Gdansk, focused on the role of new technologies in ensuring the transparency and legitimacy of presidential campaigns. She drew attention to the limited use of tools such as e-ID or trusted profile in the context of elections, pointing to the need to build public trust and advanced safeguards. She also touched on the controversy surrounding online voting (iVoting), which still raises many doubts in Poland.
• Karolina Wilamowska, a lawyer and mediator, presented the impact of artificial intelligence on election campaigns. She pointed out serious risks such as microtargeting, deepfakes, fake accounts and bots amplifying political messages. She emphasised that AI enables the creation of real-time messages, which, on the one hand, increases the effectiveness of communication and, on the other, raises the risk of manipulating public opinion.
• Dr Damian Wąsik from the Higher School of Vocational Training in Wrocław, presented the subject of the criminal law protection of presidential elections. He presented historical examples of fraud from the period of the Second Republic, emphasising how important it is to counteract all attempts to influence the integrity of the electoral process, regardless of the era.
• Dr Malgorzata Andrzejczak-Swiątek from the Police Academy in Szczytno discussed the international context of election monitoring, citing the OSCE ODiHR report on the 2020 presidential election in Poland. She highlighted the role of international institutions in assessing democratic standards and the rule of law.

Acknowledgements and closing thoughts

We would like to thank all the speakers, participants and those involved in the organisation of the conference for creating a space for robust, substantive discussion. The event should undoubtedly be regarded as successful - both in terms of attendance and the level of the papers delivered. We believe that the topics raised will inspire further research and initiatives devoted to the development of the democratic system in Poland.

A trace on the other side - a unique lecture on the search for missing persons and drowning victims

You are cordially invited to a lecture entitled "A trace on the other side - the role of the expert in the search for missing persons and drowning victims using the latest technology and forensic analysis".which will take place 17 May 2025 at 12.30 pm in the John Paul II Auditorium at the University of Life Sciences.

The event will be hosted by Mr. Maciej Rokus - the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivode's representative for safety, head of the Polish Diving Special Group and an expert witness at the Regional Court in Katowice, specialising in trial experiments to determine the causes of drowning.

Expert knowledge, real-world experience and the latest technology

During the lecture, the speaker will present a modern approach to the topic of exploration missing persons and drowning victims - not only from a technical perspective, but also from a humanitarian one. The event will enable the audience to learn about practical use of technology and methods of criminal analysis in field operations and will identify the challenges faced by experts.

The scope of our guest's speciality is:

• waterway safety (drowning, watercraft accidents, water sports accidents);
• conducting surveys in water (searches using hydro-acoustic survey equipment and divers);
• search methods;
• carrying out searches for people or corpses in water areas and areas difficult to access.

You are cordially invited to attend in this extremely interesting event on behalf of the dean's team.

Science in the face of conflict - 5th International Scientific and Practical Conference "Health and Society in War"

Already on 16 May 2025, the 5th International Scientific and Practical Conference "Health and Society in War" will be held.. The event will be held in an online format and provides an important international forum for analysing social and health challenges in the context of armed conflict.

The conference is organised by the School of Vocational Training in Wrocław in cooperation with the Central Ukrainian Institute of Human Development at the Ukrainian University.

Purpose and scope of the event

The conference aims to provide an interdisciplinary analysis of the the impact of war situations on society and health. The discussion will cover medical, psychological, social and administrative issues, showing the the full spectrum of the consequences of armed conflict.

Participants and representation of the University

The event will be attended by researchers and practitioners from many countries, representing renowned academia and public health and social policy institutions.

Higher School of Vocational Training in Wrocław will be represented by:

• Dr Bartosz Blaszczak - Managing Director.
• Dr Irena Malinowska - Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences.
• Dr Justyna Jasińska-Rudzka - Associate Dean for Educational Quality.
• Dr Aneta Kazanecka - Vice Dean for Student Affairs.
• Dr Wojciech Kazanecki - Chair of the Stakeholder Council.
• Dr Marika Szymanska - Director of the Institute of Management and Quality Sciences.
• Dr Natalia Najgiebauer - Programme Director of the Law, Law in Business and Administration courses.
• Dr Mariusz Michalski - Assistant Professor at the Institute of Criminology and Homeland Security.

Post-conference publication

The conference will culminate in the joint publication of a scientific monograph, featuring articles by participants on the impact of armed conflict on different areas of societies.

The authors will undertake an interdisciplinary analysis of social, health and administrative issues, demonstrating the complexity of the challenges faced by individuals and institutions under conditions of war. This monograph will become an important contribution to the development of research on the impact of armed conflict and its long-term effects on public health and the social fabric.

You are cordially invited to attend in this significant scientific event!

Stakeholder Council of the School of Vocational Training: a shared view of the University's future

On 15 May 2025, the Stakeholder Council of the College of Vocational Education will meet. This is an important step in developing cooperation between the university and representatives of the socio-economic environment. The meeting was planned as a space for the exchange of knowledge, opinions and ways forward.

In the event programme:

• will be presented information on current studies;
• representatives of partner institutions receive data relevant to the strategic development of the university;
• participants will be invited to express their own observations and recommendations on opportunities to improve teaching and, in the longer term, research.

The College of Vocational Training has been consistently striving to. education and research activities respond to real market needs. The Stakeholder Council meeting is part of a long-term process of strengthening relationships with partners and to adapt the teaching offer to changing socio-economic challenges.

Learn about the function of the head of state from A to Z at the National Academic Conference "The President of the Republic of Poland: campaigning, elections, political position"

Is the presidency merely a representative office or a key element of the balance of power in Poland? The institution of the President of the Republic of Poland has intrigued and stirred emotions for years - both in public debate and among scholars of the political system. Soon, students of our University, doctoral students, lecturers and representatives of the legal community will have the opportunity to take a closer look at the institution during the National Academic Conference 'The President of the Republic of Poland: campaigning, elections, political position'. This is a unique space for discussion with constitutionalists, political scientists and public life experts.

The President of the Republic of Poland under the magnifying glass - a detailed analysis of the functions of the head of state

The National Scientific Conference, organised by our University together with the Centre for Constitutional Law and Rule of Law Monitoring, will take place 13 May 2025 at 10:00 am online.

The theme will be an in-depth reflection on the function of the President of the Republic of Poland - from the electoral process, to campaign strategies, to the constitutional positioning of the office. The meeting will bring together constitutionalists, political scientists and public life experts to look at the evolution of the presidency and the current challenges facing the head of state. 

The focus will also be on the impact of the president's relations with other authorities on the functioning of the state and the political balance. The variety of research approaches and perspectives will enable a comprehensive assessment of the role of this office in the system of the Republic. 

One of the speakers will be Prof. Dr. Krystian Complak - Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Wrocław, Vice-President of the Polish Constitutional Law Association (PTPK), Member of the Scientific Council of the International Academy of Constitutional Law in Tunis (Tunisia). Author of numerous scientific publications in the field of constitutional law.

At the heart of the debate - key election issues

The National Scientific Conference will address the following topics topics of importance for the functioning of the state. Participants at the event will have the opportunity to look at the following topics, among others:

• Presidential campaign financing - transparency, spending limits, legality of so-called pre-campaigns.
• The role of media and new technologies in presidential campaigns - the challenges of disinformation used to achieve political objectives.
• The principle of the universality of presidential elections and the real accessibility of voting participation - an analysis of statutory solutions.
• Electronic voting in presidential elections (i-voting) - an opportunity for modernisation or a threat to the integrity of elections?
• Mode of electoral dispute resolution in presidential elections - the role of the Supreme Court and its legitimacy.
• Presidential prerogatives.

From the veto to the military - the practical dimension of the presidency

The conference will also provide an opportunity for an in-depth analysis of the constitutional role of the President of the Republic of Poland. Experts will delve into issues concerning his influence on national and international politics, as well as the the evolution of the presidential model in Poland. The meeting will address issues such as:

• The President's role in foreign policy - limits of competence and relationship with the government.
• The so-called presidential veto and its significance for the dual executive model.
• The role of the President as head of the armed forces - competences and real significance in national defence policy.
• The concept of active presidency vs. ceremonial presidency - an analysis of recent presidential practice.
• A non-partisan president in the political system - myth or necessity for systemic balance?

Detailed conference programme and speakers

The conference programme will allow participants to immerse themselves in an interdisciplinary debate, covering both the legal and political aspects as well as the technological or communication challenges of the presidency. A detailed schedule of speeches will open up space for reflection on the real meaning of the office of the President of the Republic of Poland in a changing world.

The conference will be inaugurated by:

• Dr Kamil Stępniak - President of the Centre for Constitutional Law and Rule of Law Monitoring;
• Dr Andrzej Chajbowicz - Director of the Institute of Law at the College of Professional Training.

Expert panel: The presidency and democracy: challenges and models in comparative and forward-looking perspectives

• 10:15-10:35 - Prof. Dr. Krystian Complak (WSKZ): The constitutional position of the president in Poland and selected Latin American countries - a comparative analysis of presidential models;
• 10:35-10:55 - Dr Małgorzata Andrzejczak-Świątek (Police Academy in Szczytno): The role of the OSCE in the context of monitoring free elections;
• 10:55-11:15 - Jakub Kocjan MA (Democracy Action / INP PAN): President vis-à-vis the judiciary and vice versa;
• 11:15-11:35 - Anna Bigaj, MA (University of Gdańsk): The impact of new technologies on the transparency and legitimacy of presidential campaigns;
• 11:35-11:55 - Karolina Wilamowska (University of Gdańsk): Artificial intelligence at the service of democracy or its threat?
• 11:55-12:15 - Discussion;
• 12:15-12:30 - Pause.

Panel I: The struggle for office. The presidential campaign in the light of law, media and political practice

• 12:30-12:45 - Dr Damian Wąsik, Dr Natalia Wąsik (WSKZ): Criminal law protection of presidential elections in Poland;
• 12:45-13:00 - Cyprian Mrzygłód (UG): Problems of debates organised by the election committee of a candidate for the office of President of the Republic of Poland;
• 13:00-13:15 - Magdalena Szypulska (UW): New challenges for justice and social media;
• 13:15-13:30 - Tomasz Jagielski, MA (UO, Doctoral School): The fight for the presidency from the perspective of political groups;
• 13:30-13:45 - Damian Olender (UWM): Social media and the constitutional limits of the President's public activity;
• 13:45-13:55 - Discussion;
• 13:55-14:00 - Pause.

Panel II: The President of the Republic in the constitutional system - between symbol and real power

• 14:00-14:15 - Jan Brzuchalski (UW): Ability to challenge acts issued by the President;
• 14:15-14:30 - Katarzyna Uściłko, Natalia Ozimek (UwB): Mobilisation of the armed forces by the President of the Republic in an emergency situation;
• 14:30-14:45 - Paweł Piszczek (UEK): The president as player, arbiter or statistician?
• 14:45-15:00 - Jakub Drozd (URz): Theory and practice of the legislative veto;
• 15:00-15:15 - Dorota Antczak (UO): The role of the President of the Republic in states of emergency;
• 15:15-15:30 - Weronika Klecha (UMCS): The role of the President in international relations;
• 15:30-15:45 - Aleksandra Trachta, MA (UJDCz): Presidential prerogatives and the legal position of citizens;
• 15:45-16:00 - Dominik Rot (KUL, Centre for Constitutional Law): The right of clemency and the limits of the Presidential prerogative;
• 16:00-16:10 - Discussion;
• 16:10 - Closing of the conference.

Take part in the conference

If you would like to be actively involved in the National Scientific Conference, simply send an abstract (200-300 words) to: konferencja@cpkimp.pl - the deadline for submitting applications is 4 May 2025. Active participation is free and concluded with the issue of certificate. Want to listen to the experts? Submit a passive participation - it's easy, just click!

Do you have any questions? Write to: konferencja@cpkimp.pl.

From the police frontline - behind the scenes of operational work and the fight against pseudo-football crime

Already on 28 May at 19:00 a unique online event will take place in as part of the "Meeting with practitioners" series. The guest speaker will be retired police sub-inspector Krzysztof Hejmowski - former head of the Department for Combating Pseudo Football Crime of the Provincial Police Headquarters in Gdansk.

This is a unique opportunity to learn about the realities of operational work in the police force and get a behind-the-scenes look at activities targeting the criminality of pseudo-fans.

Krzysztof Hejmowski - three decades of service and experience from the front line

Krzysztof Hejmowski served in the police force for more than 30 years (1994-2025). He started as a detective in the Criminal Investigation Department in Gdynia and, in time, took up the position of 1st Deputy District Police Chief in Puck. He specialised in operational activities, prosecution of criminal offenders, combating criminal terrorism and pseudo football crime.

During his career has been involved in a number of high-profile cases, such as:

•  apprehension of the person responsible for digging up human beings remains in the Tri-city;
• breaking up a group of pseudo football fans operating illegal gambling;
• double homicide investigation in Puck County;
• operational measures against so-called "stalls" and brutal hijinks.

When and where?

The event will last one hour and will be held in an online format. To join, simply follow the link: https://meet.google.com/uiy-hnnj-ggv.

Students are cordially invited those interested in security, forensics and uniformed services!

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.

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.