University of Silesia in Katowice

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Introduction

University of Silesia in Katowice is one of the largest and most dynamically developing public universities in Poland. Founded in 1968, the University of Silesia quickly established a reputation as a vibrant academic institution and an important interdisciplinary research hub. With a tradition of launching new programmes to best meet the needs of rapidly changing labour markets, the University of Silesia offers students a variety of programmes and specialised fields of study. With outstanding research teams and well-equipped laboratories, we are an important player on the global research arena. We actively participate in European Commission initiatives focused both on educational and scientific development, and realise projects within the Lifelong Learning Programme, the Research Fund for Coal and Steel and Framework Programmes. The University of Silesia in Katowice gives its students a unique possibility to develop their interests, fulfil their passions and gain practical skills necessary in constantly changing job market. Every academic year we offer over 70 programmes and over 240 specialisations that are designed to help our students and alumni meet the challenges of changing reality and labour market. We provide a stimulating learning environment where individual interests can be pursued and academic ambitions achieved. The University of Silesia serves over 25,000 intramural and extramural students and it already has more than 250,000 proud alumni, among which there are outstanding personalities in many fields. Our community consists also of more than 2,000 teachers and researchers. We have signed over 600 cooperation agreements with academic institutions all over the world, and we are a member of numerous international associations i.a. the European University Association (EUA), the Interuniversity Centre for Research and Cooperation with Eastern and South-Eastern Europe (CIRCEOS). We also actively cooperate within national organisations: the Silesian Universities Rectors Conference, Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland, Conference of Rectors of the Polish Universities, International Relations Offices Forum (IROs Forum) and the Silesian Universities Network (SUN). The last one gathers all nine public higher education institutions located in the Upper Silesia Region in Poland. As an interdisciplinary university, the University of Silesia offers a wide array of programmes and specialised fields of study and research in a broad range of disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and science and technology. The university offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral studies, as well as postgraduate courses designed to improve professional and personal skills. All programmes are divided into specialisations tailored to students’ needs and applicability toward their future careers. International cooperation As a vibrant member of the global academic community, international cooperation is a paramount priority at the University of Silesia. We establish and maintain long-term cooperation with our global partners on a number of different levels, including educational, research, and cultural. The University of Silesia has signed over 600 bilateral agreements with partner institutions in countries all over the world. We believe that it is crucial to teach, discover, and transfer knowledge in a form that is not only fascinating but also applicable in the world and everyday life. International research The university fosters several international humanities projects, oriented towards current social issues and demographic trends analyses, regional and European identity, and undertakings evaluating global geographical changes, while challenging matters of the biological and hard science issues. Many projects aim at working out effective technological solutions to be practically applied in today’s economy. Polish language courses The School of Polish Language and Culture, a specialised unit of the University of Silesia, runs a variety of successful Polish language courses specially scaled to meet the needs of different learners. The School cooperates with various institutions interested in the Polish language education and Polish Studies. Each year, more than 500 international students attend the Polish language and culture classes. As learning about culture and ethnicity leads to extraordinary approaches, students enjoy a vibrant array of festivities, events, and interactive, extramural, activities. One of the formats we are most proud of is our Summer School of Polish Language, Literature and Culture in Cieszyn. Not only does this program provide a truly thrilling educational experience, but also involves an annual feast for students from different countries, all with at least one thing in common: a committed interest in the Polish language, its people, and its ways. Launched in 1991, the School has established itself as quite a tradition. (www.sjikp.us.edu.pl)