Educational projects at TUL NAWA

Projects implemented under the PROM programme

Lodz University of Technology has received over PLN 1.7 million to implement the next edition of the program!

The project’s goal is to enhance the university’s internationalization by facilitating short-term scholarship exchanges for doctoral students and academic staff. The specific objectives are to boost the number of mobilities, help scholarship recipients gain new skills, and improve the quality of education at TUL.

The obtained funding will provide scholarship support for 100 program participants - 85 doctoral students and 15 academic teachers. 60 outgoing and 40 incoming mobilities have been planned.

A short-term mobility lasts from 5 to 30 days and can include activities such as:

a) active participation in a conference abroad (speaker role, participation in a poster session),

b) obtaining materials for a doctoral thesis, scientific article,

c) participation in a summer/winter school,

d) taking measurements using unique equipment, testing research equipment, 

e) participation in short forms of education, i.e. courses, intensive courses included in the study program, workshops, professional or industrial internships, study visits, including those carried out in companies,

f) execution of archival/library inquiries,

g) conducting teaching classes,

h) preparation of an international grant application.

The project is implemented between 01.10.2024 and 30.09.2025.

In the coming weeks, project regulations will be developed and participants will be recruited. 

The mobilites will begin in January 2025.

Announcement of 5th call for PhD students and academic teachers from abroad

Announcement of the 4th call for PhD students from abroad

Announcement of the 3rd call for PhD students

Announcement of the 2nd call for PhD students

Announcement of 1st call for PhD students and academic teachers

The PROM program - short-term academic exchange is funded by the European Union as part of the project entitled “Short-term academic exchange as a way to improve the quality of education at institutions of higher education and science” with the number FERS.01.05-IP.08-0218/23.

From 2018 to 2023, our university implemented two projects funded under the PROM program - International scholarship exchange of PhD candidates and academic staff.

The aim of the projects was to increase international exchange of PhD students at TUL, improve quality and level of internationalization of third degree education as well as strengthen cooperation with foreign universities. Outgoing and incoming mobilities were aimed at active participation in a conference, taking measurements, obtaining materials for a PhD thesis, participation in training etc.

In the 2018/2019 academic year the project offered co-financing of 66 mobilities, lasting from 5 to 30 days, including 33 departures of PhD students and academic staff members of TUL to foreign institutions and 33 arrivals of PhD students and academic staff members of foreign institutions at TUL. The project supported 62 PhD students and 4 academic staff members.

The project was implemented between 01.10.2018 and 30.09.2020.

In the second edition of the programme, the university co-financed short-term mobilities of 78 PhD students, including 38 participants from overseas and 40 participants from TUL. In addition, the project was extended to include the component of support for Ukrainian students who came to Poland after February 24, 2022. The awarded scholarships allow 12  people to continue their education at our university.

The project was implemented between 01.10.2019 and 31.03.2023.

The PROM project – International scholarship exchange of PhD candidates and academic staff – was financed from the European Social Fund within Operational Programme Knowledge Education Development, non-competition project entitled International scholarship exchange of PhD students and academic staff, agreement no. POWR.03.03.00-00-PN13/18.

Lodz University of Technology has received over PLN 1.1 million to implement the project “Academic Partnership of TUL & ECIU – A New Dimension of Excellence and Collaboration” carried out within NAWA Support for European Universities Programme. 

The project aims to increase the level of cooperation between Lodz University of Technology (TUL) and key academic partners through the implementation of joint initiatives within the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU). The specific objectives assume:

1. strengthening the position of TUL in the ECIU as an initiator of innovative solutions in the field of joint scientific research and creation of joint transnational didactic offer,

2. increasing the level of academic exchange between TUL and ECIU,

3. acquisition of competencies by students and employees of TUL and ECIU,

4. building a positive image of TUL in the ECIU.

The project envisages the implementation of 4 tasks, under which:

- at least 24 TUL academic staff and 10 PhD students will implement a research mobility to the ECIU universities (80% of them will acquire specialized knowledge and skills of a research/scientific nature and soft-transversal competencies),

- at least 33 students of the alliance universities and 7 students of TUL will participate in the ECIU Ambassadors Academy (80% of them will acquire competencies in emotional intelligence, communication and promotion, community building, and knowledge about the ECIU functioning),

- a prestigious event – the ECIU Board will be held, which will bring together the alliance's most important decision-making bodies and thematic groups, i.e. the ECIU Board, ECIU Institutional Representatives, ECIU Vice Presidents for Education, ECIU Vice Presidents for Research, members of the Research and Innovation Expert Group and the EduCo Group – the experts in international educational projects,

- extensive research will be conducted to develop guidelines, recommendations and potential strategies for creating joint forms of education and awarding joint qualifications within the ECIU; the research will include a detailed needs analysis of the alliance partners and consultations with various stakeholder groups. The research will culminate in a publication and a summary conference. 

The project will contribute to an increase in mobility level within the consortium with the participation of TUL, mitigate the problems of raising funds for the Research Mobility Fund and other activities realized within the alliance, for which no funds were provided in the Erasmus+ project entitled ECIUn+. The project will also make it possible to promote the ECIU's offer more widely at TUL among students and employees, for whom the alliance offers numerous opportunities for development. Organizing the ECIU Board and the ECIU Ambassadors Academy at TUL will contribute to building a positive image and strengthening the university's position in the alliance. It will also provide an opportunity to promote the educational and scientific potential of TUL among its partners. In the long term, the project will also contribute to the development of models for the awarding of joint qualifications within the consortium based on European guidelines and educational quality assurance standards, which is one of the strategic goals of the ECIU.

The project is implemented between 01.10.2024 and 30.09.2026.

Project value: PLN 1 137 388,58.

Recruitment for the 2nd Edition of the ECIU University Research Mobility Fund

The Support for European Universities Programme is funded by the European Union as part of the project entitled Support for European Universities Alliances with the number FERS.01.05-IP.08-0219/23, FERS – European Funds for Social Development).

The aim of the project is to help Ukrainian Universities to support international integration in these difficult times, by bringing them closer to the European Universities Initiative.
During a 1-year project, 10 partner universities from Ukraine will be involved in the supporting cooperation and academic exchange activities carried out by the ECIU. The project will be implemented among others by enabling staff, PhD students and students of Ukrainian universities to participate in innovative, short learning experiences, participation of the Ukrainian academic community in study visits, conferences, internships, summer schools, seminars, workshops, trainings, and courses, etc.

The project would be implemented within 2023.

The total budget of the project received from National Agency for Academic Exchange is 1 000 000 PLN.

More information is available on the website.

Active D2 - Active Double Degree: Implementation of a collaborative study model based on active teaching and learning methods.
The project is implemented as part of the NAWA Strategic Partnerships program in an international partnership with Universidade de Vigo (UVIGO), École nationale supérieure d'Arts et Métiers (ENSAM), École catholique d'arts et métiers (ECAM) and Etablissement d’enseignement Superieur Consulaire IN&MA.

The university's priority in terms of internationalization is to increase the number of foreigners studying foreign-language programs at the International Faculty of Engineering (IFE) and to raise the statistics of foreign academic exchange. Priority internationalization destinations include France and Spain due to the level of cooperation with universities from those countries to date, their potential to implement dual degree programs and the popularity of IFE as an educational destination for students there.

The aim of the project is to expand the educational offer with new, innovative educational paths - double diploma and student exchange programs. The double diploma agreements, developed jointly with UVIGO, ENSAM and ECAM will complement modern tools and active education and learning methods, as well as a quality assurance system. For the medium- and short-term mobility program, in turn, TUL and INEMA will develop mechanisms for granting partial qualifications. Activities will be complemented by good practice manuals - model guidelines for preparing and implementing such solutions. Students from universities in the consortium will participate in dual degree programs and new exchange models. Teachers from selected units, on the other hand, will participate in academic coaching training. The project responds to the needs related to the implementation of TUL Development Strategy 2020-2025 in the field of internationalization.

Active D2 is implemented from 1.07.2022 to 30.06.2024.

The project budget amounts to PLN 1,758,382.80

School of competences for the 21st-century industry
The Summer School ECI XXI is an innovative offer addressed to foreign students from French and German partner universities of the Lodz University of Technology. The project will have two editions of the school (winter and summer 2023) for 80 students (40 students per edition) of first and second-cycle engineering studies. The program of the Summer School ECI XXI includes classes run using a modern blended learning formula, both remotely and in Łódź. Students will take part in intensive specialist courses in the field of Industry 4.0 and in a group project based on the Challenge Based Learning (CBL) concept, run by leading international companies active in the Łódź market. Also, the participants will be given an opportunity to take part in activities popularising Polish culture and promoting our country as an attractive place to study.

The project runs from 2021-09-01 to 2023-08-31 and is funded under NAWA's SPINAKER Intensive International Education Programs.

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WelcomeTULodz – Organization of a Welcome Point – a point of service dedicated to foreign students and staff at Lodz University of Technology

Information about the project

This project is carried out by the International Cooperation Center of Lodz University of Technology, as part of a Welcome to Poland 2021 program in the period from May 2022 to April 2023.

The program is implemented by the National Agency for Academic Exchange and co-financed by the European Social Funds within the Knowledge Education Development Operational Program, a non-competition project entitled "Increasing the competences of academic staff and the institution's potential in accepting people from abroad - Welcome to Poland" (Action: 3.3 Internationalization of Polish higher education), specified in the application for project funding no. POWR.03.03.00-00-PN14 / 18.

The aim of the project is to increase the institutional capacity of Lodz University of Technology (TUL) in the area of ​​internationalization by creating a service point: "Welcome Point of TUL" for foreign students, staff and guests and to increase the soft skills of TUL’s International Cooperation Centre (ICC) employees also in this area.

 The project involves the implementation of the below-stated initiatives:

- adaptation and interior furnishing of the room in the building of TUL’s International Cooperation Centre for the needs of the service point - "Welcome Point of TUL"

- preparation of information and promotional materials about life in Lodz, Poland and about the TUL’s academic life, which are necessary to foreigners

- employment of staff and organization of work at "Welcome Point of TUL"

- participation of ICC employees in training courses regarding the professional service of foreigners at the university.

The main result of the project will be the launch of Welcome Point of TUL as a central, accessible and friendly place for servicing people from abroad at the university, operated by highly qualified personnel and equipped with the necessary resources, including information materials. The second result will be the improvement of the qualifications of the ICC staff in the field of servicing foreigners. The project will contribute to improving the quality of service at TUL for people from abroad by improving access to information and making it easier for foreign students, doctoral students and scientists to function in the academic environment of TUL. In the long term, the project will contribute to increasing the attractiveness of TUL as a place of study and work for foreigners, thus increasing the university's internationalisation level.
 

If you have any questions, please contact the Project Office: International Cooperation Center of Lodz University of Technology, Żwirki 36 str., 90-539 Łódź, building A16, staff: Paulina Danieluk, MA, phone: (+42) 638 38 57,         e-mail: welcomepoint@info.p.lodz.pl 

Actions taken to raise the qualifications of the International Cooperation Centre staff in the field of servicing foreigners

As a result of the survey regarding the needs in the field of missing competencies required for a given position, which was carried out in October 2021 among the employees of the International Cooperation Center of TUL, a series of trainings has been planned. Then, the training companies selection procedure was carried out and training contractors were selected.

The first of the series was a dedicated training entitled "Diplomatic protocol with elements of savoir-vivre". Three editions of this training in the stationary formula were organized at the ICC headquarters for 45 participants (3 groups of 15 people) on 17-18.10.2022, 27-28.10.2022 and 03-04.11.2022. The training program covered topics related to diplomatic protocol, receiving domestic and foreign delegations, cultural differences, receiving internal and external guests, professional correspondence, etiquette at work and many other interesting topics.

Another in the series was a two-day workshop-type training entitled "Professional secretariat and business correspondence" in the total number of 16 hours organized on 07-08.11.2022. The aim of this effective, practical workshop was to learn how to fulfill the role of an office staff with satisfaction, training of effective behavior in various situations at the office, discussion regarding office savoir-vivre, building of one's own well-being responsibly and effectiveness in interpersonal relations, as well as obtaining knowledge in the field of shaping the proper personal image.

On 28 and 29 November, 2022, a training was held for 6 hours a day entitled: "The  Principles of employing foreigners and legalization of their stay in Poland". The training was organized at the International Cooperation Centre (ICC) of Lodz University of Technology (TUL) for 10 participants (some employees of ICC, persons working in the TUL’s financial department - Kwestura and of the staff of the  HR department of TUL. The training program covered a complete range of knowledge related to the employment of foreigners in Poland, including:

• issues related to the stay and work in Poland of foreigners from outside the European Union,
• obtaining work permits in Poland,
• types and methods of completing the required attachments and fees to applications submitted in the field of entrusting work on the basis of a declaration, entrusting work on the basis of work permits, permit for temporary residence and work,
• employing foreigners who are citizens of the European Union,
• changes and special solutions regarding the stay and employment of foreigners in Poland during the COVID-19 epidemic / state of epidemic threat,
• changes in the employment and residence of foreigners in Poland from January 29, 2022,
• regulations regarding the stay and work of Ukrainian citizens in connection with the armed conflict,
• workshops on completing the documentation and the course of official procedures depending on the type of cases.

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"Guiding foreign guests around the campus of Lodz University of Technology and the surrounding area" is a training within the project: Organization of a Welcome Point – a point of service dedicated to foreign students and staff at Lodz University of Technology within the Welcome to Poland 2021 program, which is implemented by the National Agency for Academic Exchange and co-financed by the European Social Funds within the Knowledge Education Development Operational Program.  

The training had a workshop character and was conducted solely in English. The training took place on December 12 and 13, 2022: 

• On December 12, 2022, the theoretical part of the training was organized in the building of the Center for International Cooperation, there was also a coffee break lasting 30 minutes, which started at 12:00 in the same building in the buffet.
• On December 13, 2022, practical classes were held in groups: 1st group at 8:00 - 12:00, 2nd group at 12:00 - 16:00. Due to the great challenge posed by the weather (snow and frost), the participants prepared adequate clothing: warm and comfortable shoes and warm and rain/snow clothes. 

The training program covered a complete range of knowledge, including issues in the field of: an outline of information about the monuments of Łódź (including historic buildings on the campus of Lodz University of Technology) and guided tours around the campus of Lodz University of Technology and its surroundings. 

In the spring of 2023, another workshop was held entitled "Intercultural communication with particular emphasis on cultures of non-European countries". The training program covered a complete range of knowledge, including issues in the field of:

• Introduction to the theory of intercultural communication
• Differences and challenges in intercultural contacts
• Analysis of cultural codes in Africa, Arab and Asian countries.
• Verbal and non-verbal communication in the context of non-European cultures (differences in gestures, personal space, the role of silence, eye contact) with an emphasis on African and Asian countries.
• Different norms and values - cultural dimensions and their impact on communication
• Stereotypes and their impact on intercultural contacts
• Working in an intercultural team

“Emotional intelligence and methods of working with emotions for adults using emotion cards” was organized in the form of two 3-day workshops. Each day of training was separated from the previous one by at least a week's break. During the breaks, the participants had to perform especially prepared tasks in order to consolidate new habits of working with emotions and reactions in everyday professional situations. As part of the training, the participants were provided with a set of training materials in the form of: 1 set of emotion cards for each participant and access to a diary of work with emotions.

The training program included issues in the field of:

• Methodology of working with emotion cards.
• The theory regarding emotions and how we can shape them.
• Emotional Intelligence - basics of management.
• Using emotion cards in education.
• Using emotion cards in individual work.
• What questions to ask when working with emotion cards?
• How to use emotion cards for independent work?
• What are needs and how can naming them help manage emotions?
• Expanding the possibilities of reaction in difficult life situations.
• Searching for effective strategies for expressing emotions and satisfying needs.
• Framing and reframing as methods of shaping emotions.
• Discussion regarding individual frameworks and the possibilities of their use.
• Using emotion cards to work with a team.
• Creating your own scenarios using emotion cards.
   

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Another training was “Getting Things Done level 1: Fundamentals®”. It was a 2-day workshop for a group of 20 people. The program  involved the presentation and implementation of principles related to task management, which were included in the book "Getting Things Done or the Art of Stress-Free Efficiency” by David Allen. Participants were provided with access to a mobile application that, using microlearning, will support them in turning new knowledge into permanent habits for 16 weeks, and, 1-2 weeks after the workshop, an online meeting was organized during the Weekly Review session, which allowed participants to organize the acquired knowledge. The session was conducted online and lasted about 1.5 hours.

The training program included issues in the field of:

• What is productivity and how do we experience it
• 5 GTD® steps to keep your liabilities under control
• Collecting - capturing all the things that occupy our attention
• Analyzing - making a quick and confident decision on how to deal with a given case
• Organize - build and use an intuitive reminder system
• Review - the habit of making sure all liabilities are properly taken care of
• Action - using the system to deal with what is most important at the moment
• Best practices for each GTD® step
• Creating your own system based on your tools (eg MS Outlook, Google and others)
• Use of the calendar in accordance with GTD®
• Use of task lists according to GTD
• Organizing emails and emptying the email inbox to nothing.

The last training organized a t ICC of TUL in the spring of 2023 was “GETTING THINGS DONE® LEVEL 2: PROJECTS & PRIORITIES”. It was also a 2-day workshop for a group of 20 people. The result of the training was: clarification of one's goals in order to be fully involved in their implementation. Participants could learn how to plan new projects and manage priorities according to GTD®.
 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROMOTION OF THE PROJECT
The promotion of the project entitled "Organization of a Welcome Point – a point of service dedicated to foreign students and staff at Lodz University of Technology" within the "Welcome to Poland 2021" program, took place on November 12, 2022 during the celebration of the 30th anniversary of IFE - International Faculty of Engineering, which is the International Education Center of Lodz University of Technology (TUL). The event was organized by the association of IFE graduates of TUL.

The program is implemented by the National Agency for Academic Exchange and co-financed by the European Social Funds within the Knowledge Education Development Operational Program, a non-competition project entitled "Increasing the competences of academic staff and the institution's potential in accepting people from abroad - Welcome to Poland" (Action: 3.3 Internationalization of Polish higher education), specified in the application for project funding no. POWR.03.03.00-00-PN14 / 18.

The celebration of the 30th anniversary of the IFE was a great opportunity to meet with colleagues, IFE graduates and TUL staff, establish new relationships and exchange knowledge, skills and experiences.

The event was organized in a modern building of the TUL's International Cooperation Center for over 150 people. The project was presented during the official part held in the auditorium by  Dr. Eng. Dorota Piotrowska, prof. TUL, Director of the International Cooperation Centre of TUL.

The amount of EU co-financing for the project is PLN 225,896.00.

The aim of the project is to increase the institutional capacity of  Lodz University of Technology in the field of internationalization by creating a "Welcome Point", i.e. a point of service for foreign students, staff and guests, and by improving the competences of ICC employees in this area.

The implementation of tasks under the project will increase the involvement of  Lodz University of Technology abroad and the "Welcome Point" as a service point will become a necessary support in the process of welcoming foreign guests. Also, it will increase both the efficiency and quality of activities related to internationalization and it will also increase the attractiveness of TUL as a place of study and work for foreigners.
 

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The conference "Welcome Point at Lodz University of Technology" was organized to summarize the project entitled: "Organization of a Welcome Point – a point of service dedicated to foreign students and staff at Lodz University of Technology"

The main idea of the project implemented from May 2022 to April 2023 by the  International Cooperation Centre of TUL (ICC) was to meet the needs of the growing number of students and foreign staff at TUL. They often face challenges, e.g. in Polish offices and need support due to the language barrier. As you know, welcoming foreigners is a long process - from establishing contact, through maintaining relationships, organizing accommodation, travel, schedule, employment, etc. Establishing a Welcome Point will therefore help to maintain the high quality of services for foreign guests after their arrival at TUL. The activities of the point will improve access to information and make it easier for foreigners to function in the academic environment of TUL. In the long term, the project will result in increasing the attractiveness of TUL as a place of study and work for foreigners, and thus increasing the level of internationalization of the university.

One of the goals of the project was also to increase the competences of ICC employees in the field of servicing foreigners. Actions were taken, such as the preparation of information materials necessary to serve foreigners, and training courses on professional service for foreigners were held. The room in the International Cooperation Center building, where the Welcome Point is located, was also adapted and equipped.

The program was implemented by the National Agency for Academic Exchange and co-financed by the European Social Funds within the Knowledge Education Development Operational Program, a non-competition project entitled "Increasing the competences of academic staff and the institution's potential in accepting people from abroad - Welcome to Poland" (Action: 3.3 Internationalization of Polish higher education), specified in the application for project funding no. POWR.03.03.00-00-PN14 / 18.

As a result of a survey conducted among ICC employees, a series of training courses was held:

"Diplomatic protocol with elements of savoir vivre"
"Professional secretariat and business correspondence"
"Principles of employing foreigners and legalizing their stay in Poland"
"Guiding foreign guests around the TUL campus and the surrounding area"
"Intercultural communication with particular emphasis on the cultures of non-European countries"
"Emotional intelligence and methods of working with emotions for adults using EQdo® emotion cards"
"GETTING THINGS DONE® LEVEL 1: FUNDAMENTALS"
"GETTING THINGS DONE® LEVEL 2: PROJECTS & PRIORITIES"
At the conference summarizing the project, excellent speakers appeared at the International Cooperation Center of TUL: Jakub Ujejski - GTD® Master Trainer and Iga Kosecka - Operations Manager from GTD® Polska, Maciej Kronenberg - chairman of the Board, Center for Development Initiatives REGIO and Aga Rogala - pedagogue therapist, EQdo® trainer, a well-known influencer. It was also attended by ICC employees and invited guests.

During the discussion panel, topics related to the competences required for the position of an employee serving foreign guests were discussed. The topic of discussion was also training courses, which were conducted by the companies represented by the speakers as part of the project. The guests presented training materials, i.e. EQdo® emotion cards, which are a unique tool for independent work with emotions and challenges that we encounter both in private life as well as at work. The topic of implementing the principles related to task management in accordance with the American GTD® method developed by David Allen was discussed.

It must also be noted that, attention was paid to the great value of cultural heritage of the city of Lodz - a unique city of 100 factories, without a typical market square, but with a beautiful Art Nouveau Piotrkowska Street. City, that we can proudly boast of to our foreign guests. We are lucky because many interesting monuments are located on the campus of Lodz University of Technology, which are often visited by employees of the Welcome Point of TUL showing around foreign guests of TUL.

The conference ended with the conclusion that the competences acquired by the employees during the trainings are not the so-called soft skills but core skills, whose value is intangible, all thanks to the support of the National Agency for Academic Exchange NAWA.

Contact with the Project Office: International Cooperation Centre of TUL, Żwirki 36 str., 90-539 Łódź, building A16, Paulina Danieluk, MA, phone: 426383857, e-mail: welcomepoint@info.p.lodz.pl

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Welcome TULbox_2.0 - Development of the potential of Lodz University of Technology in the field of integration of foreigners

Purpose of the project:
Increasing the level of internationalization of Lodz University of Technology, in particular by promoting TUL as an attractive place to study, work and conduct research for foreign students, doctoral students and staff, and by creating favorable conditions for foreigners to function and greater integration in the academic environment at TUL.

Tasks:
Development of the potential of the Lodz University of Technology in the field of integration of foreign students and staff from abroad by organizing integration meetings that will contribute to mutual recognition and intercultural understanding; ensuring the availability of essential information about the functioning of universities in English for English-speaking students and lecturers and creating an e-learning course preparing foreign students for a full cycle of studies to function in the academic environment of Lodz University of Technology.

Production of promotional videos that will be used to promote the educational offer of Lodz University of Technology on the Internet abroad; implementation of a promotional campaign for studies at Lodz University of Technology in cooperation with foreign bloggers and YouTubers, which will allow to reach wider target groups.
Securing service points for foreigners in TUL International Cooperation Centre against the risk of spreading the COVID-19 pandemic.

Implementation period: 01/06/2021-31/05/2023

Project budget: 397 270.00 PLN

Project financed by Welcome to Poland program of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange

Task 1
Intercultural integration meetings for students and staff of Lodz University of Technology - TUL Culture Bite / Gryz Kultury w PŁ
Food brings people together when we share it! was the slogan of "TUL Culture Bite/Gryz Kultury w TUL" - 5 cultural and culinary integration meetings. The aim of the task was to get to know each other, build relationships and allow intercultural integration between Polish students and employees of Lodz University of Technology and students and TUL staff coming from abroad through participation in joint meetings and cultural and culinary events.The joint meetings were an opportunity to learn about the culture and traditions of different countries and contributed to getting to know each other better and strengthening intercultural ties.

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■The "First Organizational Meeting" was a meeting of newly admitted foreign students, Polish students and Polish administrative staff working with foreigners. It was organized outdoors in the Klepacza park belonging to Lodz University of Technology, which allowed to emphasize the theme of the meeting, i.e. the time of harvest and preserves typical of Polish culture in this period and in autumn.

■ "Christmas Dinner": an atmospheric Christmas dinner dedicated to the celebration of Christmas, during which the participants got acquainted with Christmas customs and traditions (not only culinary) from the end/beginning of the year in Poland and countries represented by students and staff of TUL. Due to the restrictions related to the pandemic, the meeting was organized in the form of an outdoor happening on the TUL campus to limit the possibility of the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

■ "Easter Breakfast". The theme of the third event was Easter, which allowed foreign students and employees to familiarize themselves with the culture and traditions of Poland. During the meeting, the invited guests enjoyed the competitions, e.g. painted Easter eggs, helped themselves to delicious Easter food and participated in integration games.

■ Summary of the first year of studies: addressed to foreign students in their first year of study, who had the opportunity to summarize their first year at Lodz University of Technology in an informal atmosphere. The meeting was organized on the campus of Lodz University of Technology in the historic park of the university, which allowed for the integration of nice natural circumstances that emphasized the theme of the event, which was "picnic".

The implementation of the task directly contributed to the implementation of the project's goals related to the intensification of the activities of Lodz University of Technology in the field of "internationalization at home", as well as better integration of foreigners (students and staff) at the university. The possibility of getting to know each other and intercultural understanding also contributed to improving the quality of service for foreigners at the university.

Task 2
Preparation of promotional films and foreign promotion of the education offer of Lodz University of Technology on YouTube and in social media (Facebook and Instagram) - YouTUL
First step was to shoot 4 short films. They were professionally produced by an external company to promote the educational offer of the Lodz University of Technology - one film, a 30-second video presenting the general profile of the university and three 6-second bumper videos introducing the audience to the three fields of study and encouraging them to participate in recruitment, each in 5 language versions. The recordings were made on the campuses of the university with the use of its infrastructure and the involvement of students university and teaching and administration staff, which allowed potential candidates to study the university and its character.

In the second step the films were used in the campaign promoting studies at Lodz University of Technology in accordance with the previously prepared promotion plan, taking into account strategic for university promotion, countries and target groups of the campaign. The promotion was carried out in social media on the Facebook and Instagram platforms and on YouTube. The promotion of the university online was carried out primarily for the purpose of promoting three recruitments for the winter semester of the academic year 2022/2023 in June and July 2022, for the summer semester of the academic year 2022/2023 in November and December and for the winter semester of the academic year 2023/2024 in April and May 2023.

As a result of the implemented action, the university achieved the following goals:
■ reaching foreign candidates from countries strategic for the university through paid promotion of the educational offer of the Lodz University of Technology with the use of film materials created as a result of the task;
■ achieving high reach of paid advertising at the level of over 10-40 thousand per day, and thus increased interest in the university's offer;
■ internationalization of the university, including maintaining the interest of foreign candidates in studying at the Lodz University of Technology during the difficult period of the pandemic and encouraging to study abroad after graduation.

Task 3
Promotion campaign of studies at Lodz University of Technology in cooperation with foreign bloggers and YouTubers - #TULinspires
Lodz University of Technology implemented an innovative promotional campaign in cooperation with influencers operating in social media and on the Internet, as well as reaching foreign candidates from regions and countries that are priority for the Lodz University of Technology.

As part of the task, cooperation was established with a foreign agency specializing in influencer marketing and having experience in cooperation with universities,
whose experience facilitated cooperation with foreign influencers.
Five selected influencers from Bangladesh and Kazakhstan, Egypt, Singapore and Nigeria, whose profiles were consistent with the assumptions of the advertising campaign, realized promotional campaigns targeted at recipients from countries and regions from which the university was planning to attract an increased number of candidates for studies. Campaigns supported promotional activities informing about recruitment for the academic year 2022/2023 and 2023/2024.

We invite you to check some of them out!
1) https://www.instagram.com/reel/CoF02Pvuybm/
2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67WVNA4Q2CE
3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15TkMb-qXvk
4) https://www.instagram.com/reel/CoF02Pvuybm/
5) https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cm_ar9XgHBS/?igshid=NWQ4MGE5ZTk%3D

By establishing cooperation with young and opinion-forming people, the university was able to reach the potential target group more effectively and gain more interest from foreign candidates in its offer.

The task will contribute to increasing the potential of TUL in the field of foreign promotion with new, innovative methods of acquiring candidates for studies from abroad and increasing the range of promotional activities of the university among potential candidates.

Task 4
E-learning course preparing foreign students studying for a full cycle to function in the academic environment of TUL - WelcomeToTUL / WitajNaPŁ
We're happy to announce that we created an e-learning course - "Welcome to TUL/Welcome to TUL" introducing foreigners to the issues of academic culture, specific regulations and principles of higher education in Poland, and practical communication skills in the academic environment. The course was created in two language versions, in Polish and English, and is aimed primarily at new students and adapted for independent implementation throughout the year on the WIKAMP university platform.

The publication of the course took place in September 2022. The promotion of the course started in September and was carried out both online and in person, e.g. during meetings information and organization with newly admitted students.

The implementation of the task directly contributed to facilitating the integration of foreign students in the academic environment at TUL by familiarizing them with the principles and practical aspects of functioning and communication at the university. In addition, it contributed to increasing the organizational potential of TUL in terms of servicing foreign students and enabled the introduction of a permanent tool supporting the preparation of foreign students admitted for a full cycle of studies to function in the
academic in Poland.

Task 5
Ensuring the availability of relevant information on the functioning of the university in English
The task allowed us to facilitate the university's foreign students and staff access to information and better understanding of the principles of functioning at the university by providing translations into English of current announcements and internal documents.

The content into English was translated by a team of translators of the Language Center of Lodz University of Technology, specialized in translations concerning the functioning of the university and knowing both the specifics of the university itself and the general vocabulary used in the area of higher education, which allowed to ensure high quality of the work done.

In the first place, messages regarding the epidemic situation and the rules applicable at the university related to preventing the spread were translated
epidemic and ensuring safety on campus, and after the pandemic, the largest number of translations were general regulations or resolutions applicable to all foreign students and university employees, as well as the content of portals and websites of the Lodz University of Technology.
The translated content was made available on the university's websites and social media on an ongoing basis.

As a result of the task, a total of 142 documents and files were translated, making up a total of 1049 standard pages (1800 characters with spaces) needed in the daily functioning and service of foreign students and employees of various units of the Lodz University of Technology.

Task 6
Securing service points for foreigners in ICC against the risk of spreading the COVID-19 pandemic
The task allowed us to purchase security measures contributing to the functioning and improvement of student service safety and implementation was carried out
didactic classes at TUL International Cooperation Centre.
The purchased materials were used in rooms and points of direct service for foreigners: primarily in the Student Assistance Office (as a single service point that acts as a Welcome Center for foreign students at TUL), Student Mobility Division, Staff Mobility Division, didactic rooms of the International Cooperation Centre and at the front desk and in the cloakroom.

Purchases were made in direct correlation to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rules and guidelines adopted by the university on preventing the spread of the virus, current rules for the functioning of the university in a pandemic situation and guidelines from the ministry.

The aim of the task was to ensure greater safety for students and foreign staff, as well as people serving them in the International Cooperation Center of TUL, and to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in places where there are more people. This applies in particular to rooms and points of direct service for foreigners: primarily the Student Assistance Office (as a single point of service that acts as a Welcome Center for foreign students at TUL), Student Mobility Section, Staff Mobility Section, teaching rooms of the International Education Centre, porter's lodge and dressing room).

The purchase of additional security measures contributed to enabling the functioning and improvement of the safety of student service and didactic classes.

Task 7
Active online and offline promotion of Lodz University of Technology
The implementation of the task in the field of offline promotion allowed Lodz University of Technology to participate in fairs, after a long pandemic break, organized in key countries in terms of university promotion among potential candidates. The implementation of the task in the field of online promotion allowed for the implementation of paid campaigns advertising campaigns on the Internet, which made it possible to reach potential foreign candidates with the university's educational offer.

As a result of the task, in the context of offline foreign promotion, the university took part in 14 foreign fairs, including those organized by NAWA, and conducted 2 promotional campaigns directly in a country key for promotion. The university communicated its educational offer in a total of 7 countries: Rwanda, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Argentina and Brazil.
In the context of online foreign promotion, paid advertising campaigns were conducted and implemented on the Internet, informing about the offer of Lodz University of Technology, including a campaign encouraging, among others, participation in a virtual open week or campaigns encouraging direct meetings with university representatives at foreign fairs.

As a result of the implemented action, the university achieved the goals of ensuring increased interest in the educational offer of Lodz University of Technology, securing the increase in the internationalization of the university through the national diversity of candidates for studies and establishing cooperation, as well as building and strengthening relations with current and new partners from countries key for the internationalization of the university.

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WELCOME TULBOX - supporting organizational capacity and qualifications of administration staff of Lodz University of Technology in the field of services for foreign students and academic staff

Information about the project

The project was implemented by the International Cooperation Centre of TUL, in cooperation with Library of TUL and Language Centre of TUL, under the Welcome to Poland Programme in the period from November 2018 to June 2020.
The programme is realised by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange, co-financed by the European Social Fund within the framework of the Operational Programme Knowledge Education Development, a non-competitive project entitled Improving the competences of academic staff and the potential of institutions to host persons from abroad – Welcome to Poland which is implemented under the Measure specified in the application for co-financing of project no. POWR.03.03.00-00-PN14/18.

The project aimed at organizational preparation of our university in the field of servicing foreign students and academic staff by:

• improving the competences of administration staff in the field of interpersonal communication in an intercultural environment through participation in the training
• increasing the availability of necessary and practical information and documents for foreigners at the university (preparation of guides and leaflets, internal documents of the university in English)
• increasing and adaptation of the TUL Library resources for the needs of internationalisation: purchasing scientific and didactic books in English and French, fiction books in English and Polish, as well as preparation of e-learning courses in English to facilitate the use of the library resources by foreigners
• facilitating acclimatization and development of language skills by foreigners studying at TUL in Polish by participating in extra Polish language classes run by the TUL Language Center.

Below you will find detailed information and news on the implementation of particular assignments. If you have any questions, please contact the Project Office: TUL International Cooperation Centre, ul. Żwirki 36, 90-539 Łódź, building A16, 1st floor, room 110, phone: 42 638 38 72.

Improvement of competences of TUL administration staff in the field of intercultural communication – training

In December 2019 a group of 50 TUL administration staff participated in the training on intercultural communication. The training was intended for employees who had direct contact with students or employees of foreign universities within the scope of their duties and/or tasks.

The thematic content of the training included the following specific points:

• mechanisms of the formation of stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination,
• stages of adaptation of foreign students, methods of recognizing signs of culture shock, methods of supporting foreign students in adaptation,
• cultural differences and their impact on interpersonal relations, communication, work organization, coping with problems, etc.,
• practical aspects of communication, including verbal and non-verbal, with people who are culturally different, e.g. proper forms of welcome, organization of meetings, etc.,
• practical aspects of hosting foreigners at the university, including ways of reacting to difficult situations.

A lot of time was devoted to getting to know the religious and moral values of non-European cultural circles. The training was also a good opportunity to exchange experiences between university employees who have contact with foreigners in various positions and in different places at our university.

The classes were conducted by trainers of the European Academy of Diplomacy from Warsaw.

Preparation of information materials for foreign students and guests

The following information materials were prepared for foreign students and academic staff:

Practical Guide for International Researchers, Guests & Partners – a guide in English for foreign guests, mainly research and teaching staff from foreign universities

International Students Guide – a guide in English for candidates for studies and foreigners already studying at TUL

Guide for Foreign Students - a guide in Polish for foreigners applying for studies at TUL and studying at TUL

Thematic leaflets:

- TUL Students’ Self-Government

- TUL Dormitories

- Sport

- TUL Language Centre

- Psychological Counselling Centre

- TUL Library

- Student Assistance Office

- Safety Rules

- Places in Łódź

- 20 things to do in Łódź

English translations of internal documents and TUL websites related to servicing students and staff

As part of the task, the university's internal documents (resolutions, ordinances, regulations, applications, forms, etc.) and the content of websites that are necessary or will facilitate the service of foreign students and guests were translated into English. A total of 1,032 pages of text were translated and made available to interested entities on an ongoing basis. Below you will find a list of selected key documents that have been translated.

Materials:

Extra Polish language course for foreigners studying at full-cycle studies in Polish

The Polish language course for foreigners was organized by the International Cooperation Centre in cooperation with the TUL Language Centre. The students that participated are those foreigners who began their studies at Lodz University of Technology, i.e. those who were registered for the first semester of 1st or 2nd cycle studies in fields of study run in Polish. Classes were also available to foreign students studying in the next semesters in fields of study run in English and French, as well as 3rd cycle students and students of the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School of TUL. However, participation was dependent on the availability of places.

Two groups of students were created under the project. Classes were conducted in the winter semester and then continued online in the summer semester.

Organizational preparation of the Library of Lodz University of Technology to provide services to foreign students, doctoral students and staff from abroad

As part of the project, the TUL Library bought 635 books on scientific and scientific-didactic topics in English and French, as well as 978 on the customs and cultures of the countries from which foreign students and researchers come (non-fiction literature, reportages, guides, travel guides) as well as fiction, in English and Polish.

As part of the project, the employees of the TUL Library prepared e-learning courses for foreigners:

- “Library training for foreigners” – e-learning course, which is an equivalent of "Library Skills Training", a compulsory course for students of Lodz University of Technology.

- “Science dissemination and open science” - The course zooms in on the subject of broadly understood dissemination of science with the use of available tools (also in the context of implementation of EU projects) and the benefits of open science for the scientific and academic community. The course is intended for students and employees of Lodz University of Technology, but it can also be used by non-TUL users who are interested in the presented topics.

More information on the website of  TUL Library

Solidarity with Ukraine

The aim of the Program is to enable participants in the Program - students and doctoral students who are citizens of Ukraine and have arrived in Poland since February 24, 2022. - to continue their studies, work on their doctoral dissertation or undergo any other form of training at Polish universities and institutes, between March and September 2022.

Applicants in the Program are Polish universities and institutes. 

The Program is implemented under the order of the Minister of Education and Science and the Minister of Health.

TUL Study Camp

The main aim of the project "TUL Study Camp - Promotion of the educational offer of Lodz University of Technology among the Polonia in Argentina and Brazil" was to elaborate and test new innovative methods of promotion of our university in Latin America. It involved organization of a 14-day visit to our university of a group of young people from families of Polish origin in Brazil and Argentina. The visit took the form of a summer school, during which the young participants had a possibility to get acquainted with the TUL study offer, Lódź and Łódź region. During educational workshops they also learned new educational methods used at TUL (i.e. design thinking) and they improved their skills in Polish language. As a result they prepared recommendations on how to promote the university in Brasil and Argentina. After they came back they became Ambassadors of Lodz University of Technology in their countries.

The project was implemented in the period from 1 October 2018 to 30 September 2019.

The project was implemented under the NAWA Modern Foreign Promotion programme.

Go to the project website TUL Study Camp.

Ca roule avec TUL!

The direct objective of the "Ca roule avec TUL - Promotion of the educational offer of Lodz University of Technology in Morocco" project was to prepare and conduct a comprehensive promotional campaign of "Gestion et Technologie" study programme in Morocco. The campaign included a mobile bicycle advertisement of TUL in Marrakech and a meeting with potential candidates for studies. The project contributed to increasing recognition of the university brand in Morocco and also enabled the university to increase its potential to use modern tools to promote its teaching and scientific offer abroad. The experience gained will be used in subsequent promotional and information campaigns in other regions of the world.

The project was implemented from 1 October 2018 to 30 September 2019.

The project was implemented under the NAWA Modern Foreign Promotion programme.