European university COLOURS
INTRODUCTORY MEETING TO EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY COLOURS PROJECT
On March 18-19, Universität Paderborn – UPB (Germany), the leader of the European University COLOURS Alliance (COLlaborative innOvative sUstainable Regional univerSities), hosted representatives of COLOURS partner universities and associated partners of the Alliance from Croatia, France, Spain, Latvia, North Macedonia, Poland, Sweden and Italy. It was the first on-site meeting of the consortium after the project application was qualified for funding, and its aim was to introduce the project and integrate the partners. The event was attended by JDU delegation: prof. Janusz Kapuśniak (Vice-Rector for Research & International Relations), prof. Marcin Sosnowski (Dean of the Faculty of Science & Technology), prof. Piotr Rychter (Director of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Science and Research ICNB), prof. Joanna Górna (Head of the University of the Third Age), dr Olga Binczyk (Vice-Dean for Student and Didactic Affairs of the Faculty of Humanities), prof. Małgorzata Kurek (Institute of Linguistics), dr Rafał Głębocki (Department of Contemporary Security Problems), mgr Bartłomiej Kowalik (Department for Research & International Relations), mgr Anna Tarnowska (President of the PhD Student Government), and Julia Polak (Deputy Chairman of the University Student Government Council).
The agenda of the event included both plenary sessions and meetings of international working groups (Work Packages) devoted to summarizing the activities of the project so far and setting plans for the coming months, trips around the city and the UPB campus, as well as numerous opportunities for networking.
On the first day of the meeting, representatives of the authorities of the partner universities were invited to a meeting with the President of the Universität Paderborn, Prof. Dr. Birgitt Riegraf, and then, together with the student representatives, went to meet the Mayor of the City of Paderborn, Mr. Michael Dreier, at the Town Hall. Our university was represented by prof. Janusz Kapuśniak, prof. Marcin Sosnowski and mgr Anna Tarnowska.
The launch ceremony of the COLOURS project took place on Monday at the UPB campus. Among the invited guests was Julia Désirée Eisentraut, Member of the State Parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia, who gave a speech on "Science, Freedom and Democracy: COLOURful Research and Innovation in a World of Transformation".
During the ceremonial part of the event, three discussion panels were also organised with the participation of the authorities and students of COLOURS partner universities, which were attended by representatives of the University: prof. Janusz Kapuśniak (panel entitled "COLOURS as a Driver of Change in Regional Innovation Ecosystems") and mgr Anna Tarnowska (panel "Expectations, Challenges and the Role of Students in the COLOURS Alliance"). The discussion was moderated by dr Annette Klinkert, Managing Director of the COLOURS Alliance. The event was graced by a saxophone concert by Ulrich Lettermann, an academic of UPB, and the presentation and singing of the COLOURS anthem "We Are the COLOURS!".
After the official part of the meeting, the partners met at the "Market Square", where COLOURS member universities presented their institutions, cities and regions at special stands. There was also a culinary aspect and delicacies from different parts of Europe.
We would like to thank our associated partners, institutions and companies from the region for their support in the preparation of the stand and for providing information and promotional materials and food products, including:
Częstochowa City Hall https://www.czestochowa.pl/
Marshal's Office of the Silesian Voivodeship https://www.slaskie.pl/
Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Częstochowa https://www.riph.eu/
Makarony Babuni Ryszard Kaczorowski http://www.eko-mak.eu/
Regional Association of Beekeepers in Częstochowa https://rzpcz.pl/
"Społem" PSS "Jedność" in Częstochowa https://spolemczestochowa.pl/
„Sady z Sercem" Jerzy Halaba http://sadyzsercem.pl/
During Market Square, we also treated the participants to cookies prepared by students of dietetics of JDU.
At the end of the event, on the second day of the meeting, working meetings with the coordinators of individual modules were held, addressed to representatives of COLOURS Implementation Offices, WP Leads, CoSpace Officers – a meeting led by prof. Marcin Sosnowski, International Relations Offices and Student Representatives.
COLOURS KICK-OFF MEETING AT PADERBORN UNIVERSITY, GERMANY
On March 18-19, a delegation of JDU, headed by the Vice-Rector for Research & International Relations, prof. Janusz Kapuśniak, participates in the introductory meeting of the Alliance of European Universities COLOURS, which takes place at the University of Paderborn (Germany) as the leader of the alliance. On March 18 (Monday) from 16:00 to 18:00, part of the event was also broadcast live.
More information available HERE
COLOURS EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY’S OFFICE
Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, as a beneficiary of the EU programme entitled European Universities, cooperates intensively with 8 European universities. On 1 February 2024, the Office of the COLOURS European University was launched within the structure of the Department for Research & International Relations, whose tasks include: coordinating the work of the Alliance, cooperating with representatives of working groups (Work Packages) at JDU and partner universities, and representing the University and the Alliance at the international arena. The person in charge of the office is the Senior International Cooperation Specialist, Institutional Coordinator of the Erasmus+ Programme, Bartłomiej Kowalik, MA. The office is located in room 142 (first floor), Waszyngtona 4/8.
The name of the consortium COLOURS is an acronym derived from the words COLlaborative innOvative sUstainable Regional univerSities. The COLOURS alliance brings together 9 universities from different parts of Europe with approx. 126,000 students and over 12,000 employees. Full members of the Alliance are: Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, Josip Jurai Strossmayer University of Osijek (Croatia), Le Mans University (France), Kristianstad University (Sweden), Paderborn University (Germany) - consortium leader, University of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain), University of Ferrara (Italy), University St. Kliment Ohridski - Bitola (North Macedonia), Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). The total amount of EU funding for the project is over EUR 14 million.
CONFERENCE OF STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES OF EUROPEAN UNIVERSITIES
From 7 December to 10 December, the first Conference of Student Representatives of European Universities took place in Coimbra, Portugal.
In the context of participation in the conference, the main objective was to obtain relevant information on the challenges of student representation at the European level. This meeting was an excellent opportunity to share experiences and proposals for solutions that have the potential to be used as part of the participation of JDU in the COLOURS consortium.
Organised by ESU (European Student's Union), the Conference provides a platform for the development of student representation at the European level. It acts as a consultative body, integrating the views of student representatives from different academic alliances.
During the ESU Conference, key topics related to the social dimension, student representation, mobility, funding and quality assurance of teaching from the perspective of students were discussed. Discussions were also held on maintaining continuity and involvement of student communities of individual universities in the context of the consortia to which they belong. Lack of continuity may lead to the loss of important knowledge and a decrease in engagement within partner universities. This poses a real threat to all Consortia.
The ESU Conference acts as a consultative body within the ESU structures. Its role includes consulting on policy documents related to the European Universities Initiative and other transnational initiatives in the field of higher education. It is planned to set up working groups within the Conference, focusing on areas such as quality assurance, funding and democratic representation of students.
In the future, subsequent conferences will be attended by people representing the entire student community, not only of Jan Dlugosz University, but of all members of the COLOURS consortium. This means that through the Student Forum, which will be created as part of the Alliance, students of member universities will have the opportunity to influence the legislature of higher education at the European level.
The representative of the COLOURS Alliance at the conference was a JDU student Aleksander Frymus.
PARTNERS OF COLOURS ALLIANCE MEET IN CZESTOCHOWA
Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa is hosting the Partners implementing the COLOURS project together with our University. The opening ceremony took place on November 13, 2023 in the "Auditorium Maximum". The participants of the meeting were welcomed by: prof. dr Anna Wypych-Gawrońska, Rector of Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, prof. dr Janusz Kapuśniak, Vice-Rector for Research & International Relations of Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa and the initiator of the JDU's accession to the consortium and the chairman of the team of University staff members preparing the application for EU status, Stefan Schwan, Head of the International Relations Office of Paderborn University (project leader, Germany), prof. dr Jerzy Buzek, Member of the European Parliament, former President of the European Parliament, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland and Piotr Grzybowski, Deputy Mayor of Częstochowa.
- The COLOURS project is of great importance for the whole Europe, which strives for innovation and transformation in many areas – says prof. dr Jerzy Buzek. - By acting together, universities can contribute to the development and implementation of innovative solutions.
- I am extremely glad that we have been able to start the project and obtain the honourable status of the European University, - emphasizes prof. dr Anna Wypych-Gawrońska, Rector of Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa. - This is an opportunity for the University, but also a development of cooperation between our partners from Częstochowa and from the cities and regions represented by our foreign partners. We hope that we will be able to create permanent bonds of cooperation that will pay off in the years to come.
- This is a great opportunity to internationalise our University and make it even more open to Europe, - explains prof. dr Janusz Kapuśniak. - We hope that the COLOURS project and the status of the European University will have an influence on this process and will have a lasting impact on the exchange of students and staff. We hope that the project will allow us together with our partners to develop innovative solutions, which will be implemented in many areas of business.
The partner meeting at the University of Częstochowa is aimed at organising plenary sessions and workshops devoted to individual Work Packages. Further organisational and substantive issues related to the establishment of a joint European University will be discussed.
COLOURS, i.e. COLlaborative innOvative sUstainable Regional univerSities, is an alliance of nine universities from EU countries, whose common feature is a strong commitment to the development of the regions, which, apart from Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, includes: Paderborn University (Germany) - leader, University of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain), University of Ferrara (Italy), Le Mans University (France), Kristianstad University (Sweden), Josip Juraj Strossmayer University in Osijek (Croatia), University St. Kliment Ohridski Bitola (Macedonia), Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (Latvia).
The project will start in January 2024.
Media about the event:
- Radio Fiat
- Radio Katowice
- Dziennik Zachodni
- Życie Częstochowy i Powiatu
COLOURS EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY - MEETING WITH RECTOR AND CHANCELLOR AUTHORITIES
On October 18, in the Auditorium Maximum, a meeting of the Rector and Chancellor Authorities of Jan Dlugosz University with the University employees was held. The main topic of the meeting was the activities planned at the University for the year 2023/2024, in particular the objectives of the European University COLOURS project, which will be implemented by the JDU community in the years 2024-2027.
The JDU European University COLOURS project team, chaired by the Vice-Rector for Research and International Relations, Prof. Janusz Kapuśniak, presented the structure and action plans of the Alliance. The agenda of the meeting consisted of the following parts:
Introduction to the project by the Vice-Rector for Research and International Relations
What are "European Universities"?
The COLOURS project in numbers
The Alliance's vision and key objectives
Implementation of the project in practice – during which all Work packages were discussed, i.e. packages within which international project teams will cooperate
The Alliance's plans for the coming months, including the organisation of a meeting of the entire consortium in Częstochowa in November this year, discussion
The persons responsible for the presentation of individual Work Packages were the employees of the University: WP1 Consortium management and decision-making – Bartłomiej Kowalik, MA (Department for Research and International Relations), WP2/7 Cooperation without barriers – dr Rafał Głębocki (Faculty of Science and Technology), WP3/8 Open education and challenge-based education – dr Olga Binczyk (Faculty of Humanities), WP4/9 Research and innovation based on regional challenges – prof. Marcin Sosnowski (Faculty of Science and Technology), WP5/10 Equality, diversity and inclusion – prof. Joanna Górna, (Faculty of Social Sciences), WP6/11 Communication, dissemination of information and increasing visibility – Illia Kulchikovskyi, MA (Department for Research and International Relations).
ASSOCIATED PARTNERS OF COLOURS ALLIANCE MEET AT JDU
On October 10, a meeting of the JDU European University COLOURS project team with the Associated Partners of the Alliance was held at the University's premises. The aim of the meeting was to introduce the Associated Partners to the project, who will be the Alliance's collaborators in regional innovation ecosystems, combining open innovation, challenge-based learning and impact-oriented research with regional smart specialisations.
The event was opened by the Rector of Jan Dlugosz University, Prof. Anna Wypych-Gawrońska, after which the Vice-Rector for Research and International Relations, Prof. Janusz Kapuśniak, introduced the participants to the subject of the meeting. The agenda of the meeting consisted of the following parts:
What are "European Universities"?
The COLOURS project in numbers,
The Alliance's vision and key objectives,
Implementation of the project in practice – during which all Work packages were discussed, i.e. packages within which international project teams will cooperate,
The Alliance's plans for the coming months, including the organisation of a meeting of the entire consortium in Częstochowa in November this year, discussion
The persons responsible for the presentation of individual Work Packages were the employees of the University: WP1 Consortium management and decision-making – Bartłomiej Kowalik, MA (Department for Research and International Relations), WP2/7 Cooperation without barriers – dr Rafał Głębocki (Faculty of Science and Technology), WP3/8 Open education and challenge-based education – dr Olga Binczyk (Faculty of Humanities), WP4/9 Research and innovation based on regional challenges – prof. Marcin Sosnowski (Faculty of Science and Technology), WP5/10 Equality, diversity and inclusion – prof. Joanna Górna, (Faculty of Social Sciences), WP6/11 Communication, dissemination of information and increasing visibility – Illia Kulchikovskyi, MA (Department for Research and International Relations).
Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa has invited the largest number of associated partners among all consortium members, which include (in alphabetical order) – together with representatives of the listed below institutions present at the meeting:
Regional Development Agency in Czestochowa:
Marcin Kozak, Chairman
Public Library of Czestochowa:
Beata Grzanka, Director
Oczami Brata Foundation:
Paweł Bilski, Chairman
Jurajski Agro Fresh Park S.A.:
Monika Pohorecka, Vice-Chairwoman
Robert Leciński, Vice-Chairman
Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University
Municipal Art Gallery in Częstochowa:
Anna Paleczek-Szumlas, Director
Czestochowa Museum:
Katarzyna Ozimek, Director
Monika Świerczewska, Head of Education and Exhibitions Department
Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Czestochowa:
Monika Wawrzyniak-Czaińska, President
Marta Krawczyk, Training Specialist
Regional Organisation of Employers in Czestochowa:
District Office in Czestochowa:
Nina Ślusarek, Sub-Inspector, Department of Education, Health, Culture, Sport and Promotion of the District
“Emigrant" Association:
Koryun Saakyan, Chairman
Auxilio Venire Social Work Association:
prof. Mariola Mirowska, Chairwoman
Czestochowa City Hall:
Piotr Grzybowski, Deputy Mayor of Czestochowa
Aleksander Wierny, Head of the Information and Communication Department
COLOURS ALLIANCE MEETING IN KRISTIANSTAD
On September 11-12 in Kristianstad (Sweden) the first stationary meeting of the COLOURS team, European Universities initiative, took place, once the Alliance project proposal had been selected for funding. The event was organised by the partner university, Kristianstad University. The meeting was attended by JDU representatives:
- Prof. Janusz Kapuśniak, Vice-Rector for Research and International Relations
- Prof. Marcin Sosnowski, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology
- dr Rafał Głębocki, Faculty of Science and Technology
- Bartłomiej Kowalik, MA, Department for Research and International Relations
and other universities that are part of the Alliance, which, apart from Kristianstad University, include: Josip Juraj Strossmayer University Osijek (Croatia), University of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain), University St Kliment Ohridski Bitola (North Macedonia), Paderborn University (Germany) - consortium leader, University of Ferrara (Italy). A novelty introduced during the event was the hybrid nature of the meeting, which enabled participation in meetings not only in a stationary form, but also online – from their home centres, which was used by other members of the COLOURS team from JDU.
During the plenary sessions and workshops devoted to individual Work Packages, organisational and substantive issues related to the creation of a common European University were discussed. The event was also an ideal opportunity for numerous networking meetings, including with representatives of business and local governments, which include Krinova – Incubator and Science park and Kristianstad Municipality.
The contract with the European Commission is expected to be signed in October this year, and the implementation of the project will start in January 2024. The next meeting of the entire Alliance in November this year will be organised by Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa.
European Universities - COLOURS 2.0
The JDU representatives of academics and students participated in a meeting organised by Le Mans University related to the initiative of European Universities. Together with partners from several universities, such as Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Sweden and Croatia, our University will apply for the competition with a project with the acronym COLOURS 2.0. It will be an alliance of European universities strongly involved in the development of the regions they represent. This initiative will promote joint educational programmes in international and interdisciplinary teams in the field of research and innovation, in cooperation with local external stakeholders.
Date added: 01 April 2024