MEETING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE: “YOUR FUTURE STARTS TODAY – DISCOVER YOUR PATH TO HIGHER EDUCATION WITH JDU AND ZUS”

Under the title “Your Future Starts Today – Discover Your Path to Higher Education with JDU and ZUS”, a meeting for secondary school students was held on 19 October 2026 at the Faculty of Law and Economics of Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa. The event combined a presentation of the University’s educational offer with information about social insurance, highlighting the importance of making informed educational choices and acquiring knowledge that will prove valuable in future working life.

The importance of cooperation between the University and the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) was emphasised by prof. Marcin Sosnowski - Vice-Rector for Cooperation and Internationalisation. In his address, he pointed out that preparing young people for adult life involves both choosing a degree programme and understanding the realities of employment. He also highlighted ZUS as an important local employer and stressed the value of direct engagement with young people in supporting their educational and career plans.

An important part of the programme was devoted to the educational initiative Lessons with ZUS and the Social Insurance Knowledge Olympiad.

The demonstration lesson was delivered by Beata Kopczyńska, ZUS Regional Press Spokesperson for the Silesian Voivodeship, who introduced students to the subject of social insurance. The educational benefits of participating in the Olympiad were also presented. Its laureates may apply for admission to selected degree programmes offered by the JDU Faculty of Law and Economics under preferential conditions.

Jan Dlugosz University’s educational offer was presented by prof. Piotr Rychter, Head of the Interdisciplinary Research Centre, and Magdalena Wrzalik, Coordinator of the Student Entrepreneurship Centre. Students learned about the degree programmes available at the University, as well as opportunities to pursue their interests and develop their skills. This part of the meeting also highlighted the University’s role in supporting students as they plan their further development and future careers.

The event was also attended by representatives of the Faculty of Law and Economics authorities: prof. Dagmara Bubel - Vice-Dean for General Affairs, and dr Mariusz Paradowski, Vice-Dean for Education and Student Affairs. In addition to Beata Kopczyńska, who led the demonstration lesson, ZUS was represented by Małgorzata Kamińska, Director of the ZUS Branch in Czestochowa; Agnieszka Dzbik, Deputy Head of the Customer Service and Correspondence Department; and Katarzyna Siwczyńska, Social Communication and Education Coordinator.

The initiative was organised on behalf of JDU by Karolina Gębka, MA, Coordinator for Cooperation with ZUS and lecturer at the Faculty of Law and Economics.

The meeting gave students the opportunity to ask questions and obtain information to help them make decisions about further education and future careers. This joint initiative by JDU and ZUS brought together an academic perspective and the practical dimension of social education, highlighting the importance of cooperation between the two institutions in preparing young people to participate consciously and responsibly in social and professional life.