Onboarding training for international academics

27 października 2022

“Onboarding at the UW” is a traditionally organised set of trainings to make a smooth start for international employees of the University of Warsaw. Workshops on the Polish culture, customs and interaction within the Polish academic environment are available in November.

The functionality of the USOSweb, an introduction to Polish culture, the structure and cultural aspects of working at the UW are topics of workshops prepared by the Welcome Point team for newly hired UW employees, especially academics. The courses are held in November at the Volunteer Centre of the University of Warsaw in the UW Library. The registration via the Kampus Platfom is recommended not later than 2nd November. In order to sign up, a CAS account is necessary.

Introduction to the USOSweb system – online

The course covers the basic principles of how the USOSweb system functions. The training is especially recommended to academic teachers, yet any UW employee using the system is invited to participate.

The training will be conducted on 4th November, between 12:00 – 13:30, with English as a language of instruction and ZOOM as a video platform for communication. Link will be emailed to all registered participants.

The online registration form is available on the Kampus Platform. In order to sign up, a CAS account is necessary. The application deadline expires on 2nd November at 12.00. 

Onboarding for international staff

This is a practical training on the structure and culture of the University of Warsaw. The meeting is held on 17th November, between 16:00 – 19:30, at 56/66 Dobra Street (the Volunteer Centre of the University of Warsaw).

The training participants will learn:

• how to handle a culture shock and acculturation process;
• Polish scholars’ culture: academic values and cultural differences, the organisational culture and structure of the University of Warsaw;
• dimensions of culture in the context of work in a Polish higher education institution.

For the CAS account holders, the registration is available through the Kampus platform (https://kampus-pracownik.ckc.uw.edu.pl/course/view.php?id=1180) not later than 13th November, at 23:55.

Poland and Poles – cultural orientation training

The cultural orientation training is dedicated to the international staff of the University of Warsaw. The meeting will take place on 21st November, from 16:00 to 19:30, at 56/66 Dobra Street (the Volunteer Centre of the University of Warsaw).

The participants will be acquainted with:

• a short overview of the Polish Culture: symbols, the most significant historical figures, behaviour, communication styles and values;
• selected aspects of living in Warsaw;
• the most significant Polish historical, geographical and cultural contexts;
• important dates and traditions in Poland.

The registration via the Kampus Platform (​https://kampus-pracownik.ckc.uw.edu.pl/course/view.php?id=1179) is open until 13th November, 23:55. The CAS account is needed to sign-up.

 

More details are provided on the Welcome Point’s website >> or by e-mail: welcome.event(at)uw.edu.pl

 

 

 

Courses implemented under Action II.2.3. “Support of the relocation process of employees from abroad by introducing solutions facilitating involvement of new foreign employees to work at UW and preparation to stay in Poland” of the Excellence Initiative – Research University (IDUB) at the University of Warsaw.

 

Source: www.en.uw.edu.pl

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The new academic year with the HR Excellence in Research

21 października 2022

This year the University of Warsaw will be receiving a visit from the European Commission’s experts to evaluate the UW’s actions under the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers. This information campaign is intended to present the HR Excellence in Research initiatives within equality, mobility, training and international funds.

The  HR Excellence in Research is awarded to the research institutions that implement and adhere to the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers to develop high standards in the four below areas:

• ethical and professional aspects;
• recruitment;
• working conditions and social support;
• training.

The principles and requirements to be followed by researchers, research institutions and funding institutions are precisely described in the two European Union papers: the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.

The HR Excellence in Research award is granted for a definite period. This year the University of Warsaw is in the award renewal phase.

“This year we are expecting a visit from experts of the European Commission who will evaluate the hitherto actions and accompanying measures, their impact on the university as well as their cohesion with the UW strategy. The experts will also meet representatives of the university community. The renewal of the HR Excellence in Research award is associated with its recognition among the members of our community,” Prof. Sambor Grucza, the UW Vice-Rector for Cooperation and Human Resources, said.

Following the June information campaign about the HR Excellence at the UW, actions and accompanying measures to be undertaken in the 2022/2023 are described below:

European Commission’s experts visiting the UW

Mobility, scholarships and programmes for UW doctoral candidates

Visits to strategic partner institutions

Research career path advisor

Reinforcing internationalisation

IDUB Programme and UW development

Survey of parents’ needs and other equality measures

 

More about HR Excellence in Research >>

 

Source: www.en.uw.edu.pl

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The new method of preparing RNA for sequencing

Dr Maria Górna from the Faculty of Chemistry and her team developed a new method of preparing RNA for sequencing, which will facilitate the study of gene expression for many species of fungi, plants and eukaryotic microorganisms.

The Structural Biology Group, led by Dr Górna, studies the properties of human antiviral IFIT proteins. The team has developed new methods of selecting and enriching RNA, covered by a patent application filed in Poland, the USA and the EU.

The publication in the prestigious “Nucleic Acids Research” journal describes the first application of this invention to improve the sequencing of coding RNA using the example of baker’s yeast – a model organism in the study of gene expression and RNA metabolism. Dr Górna’s method consists in capturing and enriching the coding RNA by binding (of the IFIT1 protein immobilized on the resin) to the cap group at the 5 ‘end of the RNA – the so-called cap 0, which is present only at the ends of the mRNA. Non-coding RNAs are washed away and removed from the sample, thereby improving the quality of the sequencing data.

The analysis of the RNA enriched in this way was carried out in collaboration with the Laboratory of Translatomics IBB PAS under the supervision of Prof. Agata Starosta and proved that the new method successfully replaces commercial kits used for the preparation of mRNA samples. In addition, Dr Agnieszka Tudek from the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, the Polish Academy of Sciences, and Prof. Rafał Tomecki from the Faculty of Biology, the University of Warsaw, showed that the previously known method based on another cap-binding protein is not suitable for yeast RNA samples.

This work in Dr Górna’s group was supported – among others – by the LIDER grant from the National Centre for Research and Development, Poland, and the EMBO Installation Grant.

 

Source: www.en.uw.edu.pl

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An announcement for PhD student positions

12 października 2022

Position of PhD student in the project entitled „Quantum Crystallographic Quest for New Polymorphic Forms of Ice and Hydrates” financed by National Science Centre (NCN) is open for application. Project leader: Prof. dr hab. Krzysztof Woźniak. Deadline for applications: 31 October 2022. For more info see >> pdf

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Multicultural meetings at the UW

The yearly event for international students has now been launched again by the Volunteer Centre of the University of Warsaw. The multicultural meetings are focused on diverse cultures, as well as the Polish language and traditions, that mingle within the UW. Registration is open until 14th October.

Polish and foreign students of various faculties of the University of Warsaw have prepared events that treat multicultural aspects of the Polish language, culture, customs and traditions:

• From Witches to Witcher – Polish Culture Throughout the Centuries
  Monday, 17th October at 17:00

During this meeting participants will discover some Polish beliefs, myths and historical contexts from mediaeval times to contemporary days through literature, art and even video games.
The event is followed by the Multicultural Meetings After Hours, which is a kind of a social gathering.

• Polish Language Beginners Kit
  Tuesday, 18th October at 17:00

The meeting aims at familiarising international students with essential language tools that could give them an easy start in a new language environment. It is meant to ease them into the nooks and crannies of the Polish alphabet as well as lots of ways of greeting native speakers and making small talk with them.

• Polish Holidays and Traditions
  Thursday, 20th October at 17:00

An Applied Linguistics student and a Turkish Studies student will discuss unique customs and traditions that are observed in Poland.

• Let’s get MUSICAL! Polish Musicals Overview
  Tuesday, 25th October at 17:00

Participants will learn about the most known Polish musicals and theatre performances. After the presentation everyone is invited to join a karaoke evening to test the gained knowledge of Polish songs in practice.

All the Multicultural Meetings are held in the Volunteer Centre of the University of Warsaw, which is situated in the University Library building, 56/66 Dobra Street.

Each meeting lasts about 2 hours. English is a language of instruction.

 

To take part in the events, prior registration is required via an e-mail: wolontariat(at)uw.edu.pl. The e-mail should indicate the meeting of interest.

​The application deadline is Friday, 14th October at 13:00. The number of participants is limited.

Those who have not participated in the events and volunteering at the UW Volunteer Centre before, are requested to fill in the Volunteer Form (EN, PL – for Polish language speakers) before sending a sign-up e-mail.

 

Details and information about the application are available on the Volunteer Centre’s website >>

Source: www.en.uw.edu.pl

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The university shapes the future

05 października 2022

“With the community of 70,000 members, the University of Warsaw is an elite institution. The quality of research and teaching remains the major goal of the university. Our students are the elite of the Polish youth, while many UW researches might be future Nobel Prize laureates,” Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, the UW Rector, commenced the official inauguration of the 2022/2023 academic year at the University of Warsaw. The event was held on 3rd October, in the building of Auditorium Maximum on the university historical campus at Krakowskie Przedmieście.

Quod felix, faustum fortunatum que sit! (May it be good, fortunate and prosperous!). The Latin sentence starts another academic year. The inauguration began with a ceremonial commencement procession of members of the Senate and the authorities of the University of Warsaw who were marching from the Kazimierzowski Palace towards the building of Auditorium Maximum on the main campus at Krakowskie Przedmieście. The official opening of the 2022/2023 academic year was held in the Adam Mickiewicz Hall located on the historical campus of the University of Warsaw.

The official opening of the new academic year was preceded by singing of the National Anthem of Poland and the Anthem of Europe. The representatives of the “Krybar” combat group of the Warsaw Uprising as well as the other gathered eminent guests were greeted by Professor Alojzy Z. Nowak, the UW Rector. In his opening speech the Rector emphasised hitherto achievements of the University of Warsaw as well as challenges it needs to face.

The new year and new challenges

In the first part of his speech, the UW Rector addressed new students, “You represent the elite of the Polish youth. We are very proud of you as you become part of the academic community of 70 thousand members. The university is currently carrying out about 1,400 research programmes that are worthy of PLN 350-370 million altogether. The university is the site of knowledge and scientific development, also internationally,” the Rector said. Further he pointed to the activities that are undertaken to strengthen the UW position in the international rankings.

The UW Rector indicated that the University of Warsaw is an internationalised unit with approximately 1,000 contracts with institutions from abroad, the 4EU+ Alliance and 4,000 student mobility exchanges. “We hope each one of our students would have part of their studies performed abroad,” the Rector said.

Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak mentioned how important the cooperation of the university and business is and emphasised the fact that the University of Warsaw would never be an institution that educates its students by the needs of the market. “We intend to shape the market. We want to train employers with the emphasis on the mutual respect and the freedom of speech. And we are giving you an ability to have diverse ideas and views, an opportunity to develop and discuss using arguments, ask difficult questions and seek answers to these questions. The striving for the truth is our goal.”

The Rector referred to the investments, saying “We have several investments under the multiannual development plan ‘Uniwersytet Warszawski 2016-2027’. We have opened a building for the faculties of modern languages and applied linguistics at 55 Dobra street.” Prof. Nowak pointed to the necessity of pro-ecological actions under the “Intelligent Green University” programme.

Further he mentioned how meaningful the “Excellence Initiative – Research University” programme is, as well as the newly-formed Faculty of Medicine being a pillar of the univeristy.

“The Faculty of Medicine is coming back to the UW having been absent here for decades. We have enormous research potential of biologists, physicists and chemists, ethics specialists, etc. who have been doing their medicine-related research work for years. The new faculty will strengthen the university and support the whole community,” the UW Rector commented on the newly-formed Faculty of Medicine.

Prof. Nowak also mentioned the help from the UW community to the Ukrainians.

“The UW provided the 250-million złotych package of help to Ukraine, which is the largest humanitarian help package from a single institution in Poland. We have offered additional  places to study as well as students’ halls for the Ukrainians. We have launched medical and psychological assistance. We teach the Polish language to the Ukrainians,” the Rector said.

The ceremonial matriculation

At the matriculation ceremony, the students and doctoral candidates, who obtained the highest admission scores, took an academic oath and received traditional student books. This was followed by speeches from representatives of students and doctoral candidates: Kamil Bonas, the President of the Students’ Union, and Przemysław Mroczkowski, the President of the PhD Students’ Union.

“I can tell you with a lot of satisfaction that our Alma Mater has been transformed over the year. It is the fruit of the hard work and responsible attitude of many people, employees, administrative staff, lecturers, PhD candidates, people who study and the authorities of the University of Warsaw of both these and previous term. Our university has become better prepared to support people who are faced with metal health issues. The brand of the UW, among other things through the membership within the 4EU+ Alliance, is growing in its recognition outside Poland. We have evolved into a socially responsible organisation, including social campaigns of ecology and equality. We want to support others. All of us are equal and equally important,” Kamil Bonas said.

“The gowns we are dressed in today were worn by our predecessors decades ago, and the meeting shows us that we are the part of a huge rally of generations, and our duty and task is just to carry on. Each community needs a moment to come together and remind that we are the community indeed. We are mutually responsible for each other, look left and right and learn the name of who is sitting next to you, the person you are responsible for,” Przemysław Mroczkowski said. “When we met here last year, the pandemic was still holding us and that year was also marked by the brutal and unjustified Russian invasion on Ukraine. Let me thank our brothers and sisters from Ukraine. Your dedication is memorable and should never be forgotten.”

The prescription for success

The opening lecture “Towards the career in the USA. The prescription for success.” was delivered by Professor Maria Siemionow of the University of Illinois, Chicago (UIC), an expert in orthopaedics and director of the microsurgery education in UIC.

Prof. Siemionow is a world-renowned scientist and an expert on vascularised composite allografts, hand surgery, peripheral nerve surgery and microsurgery. She was talking about her professional pathway that started in Poznań, Helsinki, and finally reached the United States. She was describing the places and the people she encountered on her way, as well as the laboratories she set up.

“It is important to be aware where you go, and also to remember where you are from and remember your teachers,” Prof. Siemionow said to young students. “You are challenged to remember your roots and your goals.”

Prof. Maria Siemionow was talking about her scientific passions, about the introvital microscope models to observe microcirculation, cell therapy in peripheral nerves rehabilitation, experimental models of vascularised facial allografts, and facial and scalp transplantations in the rat, then in the human. “You can have many passions and interests. Yet, each of them may lead to very interesting and important achievements, research papers and doctoral dissertations,” the surgeon said. “Sometimes your achievements have a number of challenges you have to tackle, and, finally, learn what they were for, or if they can be useful in teaching young doctors-to-be.”

 

Źródło: www.en.uw.edu.pl

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