(PWSZ) Jan Amos Komeński University of Applied Sciences in Leszno

Panstwowa Wyzsza Szkola Zawodowa im. Jana Amosa Komenskiego w Lesznie

(PWSZ) Jan Amos Komeński University of Applied Sciences in Leszno was established under the decision of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Poland in 1999. The University initially offered the first – cycle studies program but in 2016 its offer was extended by introducing graduate programs. As the very first higher education school in Poland, Jan Amos Komeński University of Applied Sciences in Leszno has offered its students an innovative dual – study system, combining work and study simultaneously. Since 2011 the system has been known as Leszczyński Model Studiów Dualnych. There are approximately 2 thousand students studying both in the mode of full – time and part – time within a wide range of fields of study and subject areas of diversified study profiles. 350 of them graduate pedagogy and teaching studies. We have set ourselves the goal of being a university without barriers. The number of disabled people taking up bachelor’s and master’s studies is growing every year. State Higher Vocational School Jan Comenius in Leszno is one of the few universities in the Leszno region fully adapted to the needs of people with physical disabilities. The Faculty of Pedagogy has concluded contracts with primary and secondary schools. There our students put into practice the acquired knowledge and experiment with new teaching methods. The development of educational content and its application in schools is part of the skills that our university creates. This is one of the basic things which keeps University useful and special. It is open for foreigners and promotes social integration and inclusion. PWSZ has also been one of the initiators of an international enterprise called ”Europe – Asia Didactic Hub”. This University is involved in many international educational exchanges and events.

What are the activities and experience of the organisation in the areas relevant for this project? What are the skills and/or expertise of key persons involved in this project?

PWSZ already has many international experiences within Erasmus+ programme with partners from different countries (mainly KA103 and KA107). One of the last interesting projects in a similar area is: “Modern Engineer = Good Educator”. PWSZ is the Leader (Inventor).

Aim of the project: Acquisition of postgraduate studies preparing for the teaching profession 100 participants.

Source of funding: European Social Fund and the state budget under the Operational Programme Human Capital. Institute of Pedagogy will be in charge for theoretical and practical contributions to the project which depend on his main topic connected with psychological and pedagogical areas namely preparation of the methodology materials; training methods; principles & strategies; individual development plans.

Mikołaj Zgaiński, The coordinator of all international activities is Head of the International Office / Institutional Erasmus+ Coordinator, will be one of the key person representatives by polish partner – PWSZ. His skills and knowledge but also multicultural awareness and curiosity is a big motor presence of PWSZ for European fields of Universities and other educational partners such as companies and institutions. Thanks to the developed net of connections students but also teachers can use mobilities to learn through international conferences, seminars, meetings, practices etc.

Marta Grześko-Nyczka PhD will be the 25 / second key person. She will be involved in educational activities in the project. Her educational experiences and practices are very varied. She is the creator of an original methodology of children’s and youth development, which focuses on creativity and social competencies. This methodology has been successfully developed in her company for 8 years. In addition, she is very involved in social activities, as the founder, she initiated NGO activities, which through education are aimed at supporting the development of society. Her main experiences in non-formal and international education as a trainer in Erasmus + projects were dedicated to youth and youth workers. She also conducted training for trainers, which corresponds closely with the LTT of this project. At university, she is an avid activist for innovation in education. He understands progress in education as a focus on relationships and competencies rather than textbooks and curriculum.

Marta Grześko-Nyczka introduces innovative ways of working with students (future teachers) and does everything to prepare them to work with children and youth with due care for their development of social competencies. In addition, she is involved in grassroots initiatives to change education in Poland. For this reason, it has a rich network of contacts with people who are eminently involved in activities for better education. Education of the future. This is useful on the one hand for its development, but also supports the dissemination of the results. Informal roads are often of the greatest benefit. Her visions and views fit perfectly into the outline of the project. For this reason, she is an ideal person to co-create activities in the international arena.