Cooperation without borders: Professor Soboń and Dr Seleznova at the conference in Szymkent
We would like to inform you that on 22 April this year. Professor Janusz Soboń and Dr. Ruslana Seleznova took part in the International Student Scientific and Practical Conference held in the city of Shymkent, Republic of Kazakhstan.
Together with the lecturers National University of Biological Resources and Natural Economy of Ukraine (Kyiv) prepared student papers on current topics related to the digital economy. Professor Janusz Soboń and Dr Ruslana Seleznova acted as research supervisors for the students as part of the joint international scientific project Poland-Ukraine-Kazakhstan.
Professor Soboń and Dr Seleznova also express their hope for further development of international academic cooperation and invite Polish students to actively participate in scientific activities together with students from other countries.
Read MoreSilence and loyalty in the uniformed services. Psychosocial mechanisms of victims' failure to report bullying - conference findings
There is a strong culture of loyalty and so-called 'conspiracy of silence' among uniformed services such as the police, border guards and firefighters. As a result of this phenomenon, officers rarely decide to report mobbing, as they fear exclusion from their environment, professional consequences and social stigmatisation. About covert psychological violence in the services during the conference on 23 April 2025, spoke Dr Rafał Guzowski, lecturer and programme director Institute for Homeland Security and Criminology.
Bullying - hidden violence in uniform
Bullying is not just a one-off conflict - it is systematic, long-term psychological harassment in the workplace. It manifests itself through humiliation, ridicule, criticism or obstruction of duties. In the services, where discipline and hierarchy play a key role, distinguishing between command and violence can be difficult - but necessary.
Why are the victims silent?
In his paper, Dr Rafał Guzowski from the University of Vocational Training in Wrocław analysed the complex web of psychosocial conditions that cause officers not to report violence. These include:
- shame, guilt and the need to belong;
- fear of losing one's position, entitlements or even one's job;
- disbelief in the effectiveness of the support system;
- strong pressure to "be tough" and avoid "complaints";
- an organisational culture that prizes loyalty to the group, not to values.
What does the research show?
Surveys among police officers in the Lubelskie Voivodeship showed that:
- 30% experienced verbal aggression;
- 17% received absurd tasks in a systematic way.
In turn, a 2014 Interior Ministry report revealed that:
- Over 40% women in the uniformed services felt discriminated against on the basis of gender, maternity plans or lack of availability outside working hours.
Bullying as the theme of an international conference
This topic was further discussed during the international scientific conference organised by our University and entitled 'The European Union.
"Bullying as a destructive aspect of the work environment"..
This event, aimed at representatives of various professions - not just the uniformed services - addressed the universal issues of bullying:
- How do you recognise the first signs of psychological violence?
- What are its implications for individuals and organisations?
- How to prevent and respond effectively?
Renowned experts from Poland and abroad shared their knowledge, and the conference provided a space for the exchange of experiences, reflections and proposals for viable solutions.
Conclusions
Silence is not the absence of violence - it is the result of it. Loyalty, which is intended to protect the common good, is unfortunately sometimes a tool of intimidation and exclusion. If bullying is operating in the institutions set up to protect society, we must ask a fundamental question: Who protects those who are supposed to protect us?
Read MoreSilesian LegalTech - about artificial intelligence in law and business
On Friday, 25 April, the Silesian Museum in Katowice hosted Ślōnski LegalTech. This event was organised for lawyers, entrepreneurs, innovators and anyone interested in the digital revolution in the legal industry. The conference combined the topics of modern technology and law. One of the partners of the event were the College of Vocational Training, represented by Dr Kamil Stępniak.
5 key thematic panels
The following topics were covered at the Silesian LegalTech conference:
Panel 1 - "How should the law keep up with innovation while protecting human beings?";
Panel 2 - "LegalTech in Practice: How Technology is Changing Business Services and the Labour Market";
Panel 3 - 'The New Generation of Lawyers: Innovation, Design and Technology in Practice";
Panel 4 - "Regulation, Technology and Business: how to successfully implement LegalTech in a world of regulatory requirements?";
Panel 5 - 'AI, Automation and the Future of Law: From Theory to Business'.
The participation of the College of Vocational Training in Silesian LegalTech is a confirmation of the following the University's involvement in modern developments in legal and technological education. The presence of Dr Kamil Stępniak among the experts and the panel topics discussed prove that the future of law is inextricably linked to innovation, digitalisation and openness to change. This event was not only an opportunity to exchange experiences, but also an inspiration for all those who want to actively shape the legal world of tomorrow.
Read MoreOur lecturers as guests of honour at the International Scientific Seminar in Shymkent (Kazakhstan)
We are pleased to share a short report on our recent participation in a scientific event. On the 11 April We had the honour of representing our university at the International Scientific Seminar aimed at researchers, lecturers, practitioners and students.
The seminar, which lasted two days, brought together eminent scientists from across the Central Asiapresenting top-quality scientific presentations. The event was organised by our friends and long-standing partners from Akademik A. Kuatbekov People's Friendship University w Shymkent (Kazakhstan).
We have strong scientific and friendship ties with this city. We have had the opportunity to visit Simkent many times - both in person and remotely. This beautiful, sunny and hospitable city has firmly established itself on the map of our international cooperation.
We were invited as guests of honour the second day of the seminar entitled: 'Trends in education and engineering: competence, innovation and technology'. The following spoke on behalf of our university Prof. Janusz Soboń, Prof. Adam Muszyński and Dr Ruslana Selezneva.
We warmly invite all lecturers and students of our university to participate in next year's edition of this unique event.
Read MoreConference "Our national micromania and its negative effects in the 21st century".
From March 31 to April 2, professors from the Institute of Criminology and Homeland Security participated in an inter-environmental and interdisciplinary conference organized by the Pedagogium Higher School of Social Sciences in Warsaw and Business School in Nowy Sącz - National Louis University.
The theme of the symposium was 'Our national micromania and its negative consequences in the 21st century'. The spiritus movens of the meeting was Professor Maria Szyszkowska. Proceedings chaired by Prof. R. Borkowski consisted of 25 papers and lively discussion and took place in the beautiful scenery of Nałęczów in the "Ewelina" villa.
Professor Piotr Skudrzyk delivered a paper entitled. "The danger of micromania of humanists", pointing out that the foundation of the resilience and cohesiveness of a nation is a delicate layer of culture. It is formed by the community of academic and non-academic humanists. Humanists should feel the importance of their own role and society the need to support its humanists. Professor Robert Borkowski presented a paper "Laboratory Theatre and Performatics. Grotowski appreciated and underestimated"., speaking not only about experimental theatre, but also about the influence of theatre on the development of performatics as a research perspective in the social sciences.
Read MoreTrauma, stress, adaptation - WSKZ experts on the psychology of the uniformed services
On 3-4 April, a scientific conference took place in Konin entitled "The multidimensionality of formation and uniformed services psychology".which aimed to explore the psychological problems accompanying officers in the police, army, prison service or fire brigade, among others. The event brought together specialists from all over Poland. The Vocational Training College in Wrocław was represented by Director of the Institute of Psychology Prof. Dr. Artur Ziółkowski including MA Lidia Młody and Hubert Ludwiczak, M.Sc..
Post-traumatic growth, occupational stress and adaptation - important and timely topics
Prof. Dr. Artur Ziółkowski gave a lecture on post-traumatic growth, emphasising the importance of development after traumatic experiences. In his speech, he stressed the need to develop specialised education and training programmes to respond to the psychological challenges of uniformed officers. He also drew attention to the scale of the problems associated with trauma and the need to address them systemically.
The representatives of the College of Vocational Training - Lidia Młody, M.A., and Hubert Ludwiczak, M.A., M.Sc. - focused, in turn, on the issue of the adaptation to prison conditions. They raised issues concerning the difficulties faced by people deprived of their liberty during the initial period of their sentence - isolation, changing social roles and the impact of these factors on their mental condition. In turn, with regard to officers, they pointed to the problem of professional stress, burnout and emotional overloadresulting from daily contact with crisis and traumatic situations.
Dialogue and cooperation - a common line of support
The climax of the event was expert panel discussionThe event was attended by representatives of the academic world and various uniformed formations. It emphasised the importance of dialogue between academia, government institutions and the services. The urgent need to work together to develop effective psychological support programmes was jointly identified and systemic solutions in the area of crisis intervention.
Participation in the conference was not only an opportunity for a substantive exchange of experiences, but also to strengthen the relationship between academics and practitioners. For representatives of the School of Vocational Training, the event was an important step in building partnerships for the development of uniformed formation psychology.
Social and academic pathologies under the magnifying glass of experts - multidisciplinary conference
On 9-11 April this year, the Sanguszkos Palace in Tarnów hosted a scientific conference entitled 'The Sanguszkos'. "Manifestations of pathology in a multifaceted view".organised by the Business School in Nowy Sącz. The event brought together representatives of various fields of science and practicewho jointly debated the complexity of pathological phenomena in the modern world. The meeting was chaired by the organiser, Professor Tadeusz Mędzelowski.
21 papers were presented during the conference. The speakers also included professors from the Institute of Criminology and Internal Security at the Higher School of Vocational Training, who presented an interdisciplinary perspective on the topic addressed during the meeting. The conference will result in a joint book publication, which will summarise the most important conclusions of the speeches and become a valuable source of knowledge for the scientific community and those interested in the issues of contemporary social pathologies.
Reflections on contemporary social and academic challenges
Speakers at the conference analysed phenomena ranging from problems with a global social dimension to challenges faced by Polish higher education.
Prof. Maria Szyszkowska in her paper "The source of pathological processes" pointed to the loss of human relationships in a world dominated by the pursuit of material goods. She also touched on war as a tool used by global corporations to make profits.
Prof. Piotr Skudrzyk in his speech "What is the treatment for social pathologies?" addressed the perception of the enemy during armed conflicts, referring to the issue of chivalry and moral responsibility in the context of Russia's wartime aggression.
In turn, Prof Robert Borkowski in his paper "Leprosy in the grove of Akademos - some remarks on the pathologies of Polish science". discussed in detail the challenges affecting domestic higher education - from economic problems to teaching burnout to pathological phenomena in the scientific field.
The conference was not only a space for the exchange of ideas, but also a stimulus for further joint reflection - both in academia and in public debate.
Article by Prof. Stanisław Kowalkowski soon to be published in prestigious journal
We are pleased to announce that our academic lecturer, Prof. Dr. Stanisław Kowalkowski, has written an article titled 'The importance of the project. Analysis of the performance properties of coating systems for military applicationswhich will officially appear on 1 April 2025 in the magazine Advances in Science and Technology Research Journal (19(5), s. 200-212).
The publication analyses the physicochemical properties of two-layer camouflage coatings used in military technology. The research involved systems modified with carbon nanotubes and glass microspheres, showing high corrosion resistance, low surface roughness and good mechanical properties. The results confirm the practical applicability of the coatings in armaments and military vehicles.
A link to the article can be found below:
https://www.astrj.com/Analysis-of-the-performance-properties-of-coating-systems-for-military-applications,201155,0,2.html
Who is Professor Stanisław Kowalkowski?
Prof. Kowalkowski is an experienced specialist in the field of engineering military and security. He is a graduate of, among others, the Engineering and Communication Forces Officers' School in Wrocław, the Engineering Forces Officers' College and the National Defence Academy. Since 1997 he has been associated with the National Defence Academy. His research interests include engineering support to military operations, military movement direction, public safety and civil-military cooperation in crisis management.
Read MoreA wave of disinformation stronger than the elements? Dr. Rafał Guzowski's research on social media
With what force does disinformation strike in times of crisis? The answer to this question was sought during his lecture Dr Rafał Guzowski cooperating with the College of Vocational Training in Wrocław, presenting the the results of piecemeal surveys on information chaos and the wave of misinformationthat emerged in these difficult moments for local communities. The speech took place during a conference "Resilience of cities to crises and threats. Security. Public policies. Education"which took place 28 March 2025.
Disinformation wave - two countries, one problem
Both Polandas well as Spain experienced in 2024 devastating flash floodswhich put not only infrastructure but also public confidence to the test. In both cases, the element was accompanied by a second wave - the confusion and misinformation.
W Spainespecially in the Valencia region, the meteorological warnings came too late. Residents, surprised by the scale of the phenomenon, were inundated with an avalanche of false information: from the allegedly damaged dams to theories about the operation of weather weapons and the HAARP programme. Manipulated footage attributed to Valencia also appeared on social media platforms, although it originated from Zaragoza.
W Poland, during the September floods, disinformation activity increased by 300%. Users received false RCB alerts, watched crafted films and read narratives about the "blowing up embankments" or looters from Ukraine. Some of this content appeared to be part of an organised campaign using accounts linked to the Russia and Belarus - aimed at undermining confidence in public institutions.
Social media - information or threats?
As he emphasises Dr Rafał Guzowski, social media in crisis situations are becoming both a source of information and a threat. Their impact lies in the immediacy and strength of emotion - the the more fear, anger or panic, the greater the reach of the false message.
The cases analysed included:
- voice messages on WhatsApp about a non-existent dam failure in Spain;
- Conspiracy theories about 'weather weapons';
- assigning recordings from other local reality sites;
- manipulated accounts of the actions of services and citizens.
These phenomena are not just temporary chaos - their effects are long-term. Disinformation weakens the community's ability to respond and adversely affects confidence in state warning systems.
Information resilience - a new pillar of security
Dr Guzowski's research shows that in the age of AI tools, fake news and manipulation, information immunity becomes as important as infrastructure. This is why it should be an element of urban planning, public policies and education.
A research paper entitled 'The importance of the researcher' will soon be published. "The role of media education and information policy in building urban resilience: shaping an informed information society in the face of crises and threats", in which Dr Guzowski will discuss in more detail the mechanisms for protecting cities from disinformation in times of crisis.
Read MoreIII National Scientific Conference "IN DEFENCE OF HIPOCRATES" with the participation of our lecturer
We are pleased to inform you that a representative of our University, Dr Katarzyna Kowalska, took part in the Third National Scientific Conference "IN DEFENCE OF HIPOCRATES" entitled "In defence of HIPOCRATES". "Contemporary issues in medical law".held on 18 March 2025.
During the conference, Dr Katarzyna Kowalska presented a paper entitled: "End-of-life challenges: the legal framework for home hospice activities in Poland - are de lege ferenda postulates needed?"which raises important issues related to the legal aspects of the operation of home hospices in Poland and the need for possible changes to the current legislation.
The conference was an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience in the field of medical law and to reflect on the future of the system of care for the terminally ill.
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