The organisation of education, scholarships, residential halls were the most popular topics addressed during an online meeting with Prof. Sławomir Żółtek, the UW Vice-Rector for Students and Quality of Teaching. The Facebook live is saved on the UW profile on Facebook. The recorded broadcast is available on the UW profile on YouTube channel and the UW profile on Facebook.
All of us from the administrative staff of the University of Warsaw, we are happy that we are coming back to on-site classes. On the other hand, we also feel slightly anxious. It is quite normal in this situation. The added value of the University is that we can meet in person, we can carry out research and study. It can be only made fully available when we study on-site,” said Prof. Sławomir Żółtek, the UW Vice-Rector for Students and Quality of Teaching.
On 28th September, Prof. Sławomir Żółtek, the UW Vice-Rector for Students and Quality of Teaching, was answering questions asked by students regarding, among other things, the organisation of education at the University of Warsaw in the upcoming academic year. The meeting was held on the UW profile on YouTube (in Polish) and on the UW profile on Facebook (in English). Below, we present some of them.
The number of COVID-19 cases has been increasing lately. Therefore is it safe to go back to the University, and was the decision to go back to university well-thought?
Concerns about this matter were clear to the entire Rector’s Team when deciding to return to the University. I would like to direct your attention to two things. We were the first university to decide to go back to on-site teaching. We have decided that in April 2020. The second thing is that we need to maintain a certain level of teaching. Online teaching is an alternative, good enough for the lack of teaching at all. However, this is not a proper alternative for on-site teaching.
In August, the regulation of the Minister of Education and Science as of 25th February 2021 on temporarily limiting the operation of universities during the COVID-19 pandemic, was repealed. In this light, universities have no other possibility than returning to their regular mode of work.
Experience and experts’ opinions tell us that COVID-19 will not disappear in months. Current observations suggest COVID-19 will stay with us a little bit longer. It makes us think about a long term perspective regarding teaching and learning. Fortunately, the vast majority of students, namely 82% is vaccinated. When it comes to new students, the share of vaccinated is as high as 90%. These data concern those students and doctoral candidates who took part in a survey on the level of vaccination. This joint effort allows you to actually return to normal functioning.
Why is not everyone from the UW community obliged to cover the mouth and nose?How will the enforcement of wearing masks during classes look?
There is an ordinance of the Council of Ministers of 6th May 2021 on the establishment of certain restrictions, orders and bans due to the state of an epidemic (Journal of Laws 2021 item 861). This act points out the necessity to wear protective masks covering the mouth and nose. We are obliged to observe the law. In paragraph 25.4, the act speaks about exceptions. When it comes to students and doctoral candidates, there is no exception. In contradiction to that, there are exceptions for pupils who do not have to wear masks. Academic teachers as persons performing professional activities are not required to cover their mouth and nose while working. According to the ordinance of the Rector, it is the teacher who decides on wearing masks during certain classes. The ministerial regulation indicates that the removal of protective face masks may take place due to the possibility or quality of the provision of a given service.
Will employees, doctoral candidates and students be offered free of charge PCR tests?
Employees and doctoral candidates of the University of Warsaw can book free of charge COVID-19 RT-PCR tests until 31st December.The decision to offer such tests in 2022 will be made based on interest by the end of the current calendar year. So far, there are no plans to include students in the programme.
Who decides that selected didactic classes may exceptionally be conducted remotely?
Ordinance no. 111 of the Rector of the University of Warsaw of 16th September on the organisation of classes, examinations and credits in remote mode, defined the subject responsible for making this decision. Students can turn to the head of their teaching unit, usually the vice-dean for student affairs, who should issue an appropriate ordinance by 30th September, specifying which classes will be held online. Typically, this kind of information is available on websites of departments or their profiles on social media.
Will extramural studies be also held on-site?
Extramural studies can be held remotely. Some units are working online in this regard. We will be listening to the community because those classes that you have to attend every two or three weeks have received requests for fully remote mode, but it all depends. I have discussed the matter with my faculty professors. Some extramural students are willing to have online education, whereas some expect to come back to university. The head of the teaching unit needs to consult the Student Council and take a wise decision.
Will libraries return to pre-pandemic activities?
Yes, from the new academic year, libraries should function as usual.
Will absences from classes due to quarantine/isolation be excused?
If under quarantine, according to ordinance no. 112 of the Rector of the University of Warsaw of 16th September 2021, students can benefit from excused absences.
How can I get a place in a residence hall?
The UW Office for Welfare Support deals with the issue of registration to residence halls. So far, three registration rounds have been carried out, and there are still ca. two hundred places left. Hence the decision to start additional registration in the token system. Students can also submit an appropriate application in case a place becomes available. At present, there are approximately 2 350 places in all dormitories at the University of Warsaw. The change in their number, compared to last years, results from the resigning from 3-person rooms and returning to accommodation for residents also in double rooms. At the same time, we try to raise the standard of these premises.
What percentage of students will get the Rector’s scholarship in the next academic year?
This scholarship will be awarded to 10% of students of a given field of study – this is the upper limit of the number of people who can receive the Rector’s scholarship, set out in the Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws of 2018, item 1668). The more people receive it, the lower amount it is, so we will consult the UW Student Council about the percentage of the eligible for this scholarship.
A student from Nigeria has difficulties in obtaining a visa (being still in their country). Will the person be able to participate in the winter semester classes online?
Remote teaching is an alternative for lack of teaching at all. We want to treat all the people equally and guarantee them equal access to education services. We can support that person to obtain a visa and ask deans to get involved in the process. We see and address this problem. I would not like to differentiate between those students who are here and those who are abroad.
Do I have to pay for my studies if I am still waiting for my C1 exam in Polish? I have seen at USOS that I have to pay, and the lady at the dean’s office told me that I will be crossed out from the student list in case of no payment.
The deadlines for payments are set by deputy deans. 30th September is a binding deadline. Students who have not paid will be removed from the student list – it is regulated by ordinance no. 130, and there is an entire procedure of removal. Students should be notified before. Only after 14 days from that notification, the student will be removed from the student list. It is, however, reversible. More details are available in Rector’s ordinance no. 130.
On 1st October, at 2. pm, the solemn ceremony of the new academic year at the University of Warsaw will take place. Karol Husman, an Adjunct Professor at Stanford University, working on robotics and machine learning, will deliver the first academic lecture entitled “Unordered thoughts of machines”. The inauguration will be available on the UW website.
There will be the following order of the ceremony:
Singing the national anthem and “Ode to Joy”;
Prof. Alojzy Nowak, the University of Warsaw Rector, will address our academic community with a speech opening the new academic year;
Matriculation of first-year students of 1st and 2nd cycle studies, doctoral candidates from doctoral schools (who achieved the best results in the enrolment procedure);
Speeches of the representative of students and doctoral candidates;
The first academic lecture entitled “Unordered thoughts of machines” will be delivered by Karol Hausman, Adjunct Professor at Stanford University.
Karol Hausman isa Senior Research Scientist at Google Brain and an Adjunct Professor at Stanford working on robotics and machine learning. He is particularly interested in enabling robots to autonomously acquire general-purpose skills with minimal supervision in real-world environments. More information about the speaker >>
The inauguration of the 2021/2022 academic year will begin on 1st October at 2 pm in the Auditorium Maximum building. Maintaining all the sanitary regulations aiming to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 will be required. All participants will be asked to wear protective face masks.
Due to the epidemiological situation, the Adam Mickiewicz Hall in the Auditorium Maximum building will be open to guests who had received invitations and had confirmed their presence.
Do renowned researchers owe their success to the fact that they are simply more „talented” than others, or is there some other „secret” involved? What exactly is the nature of their special „talent”? Can that „talent” be learned? Are you, as a potential researcher, struggling with the question whether you are „talented” enough to build a successful and fulfilling career in research? What kinds of competencies are required in that regard from a researcher by the various research institutions or industrial research sites? Should you choose the industry or academia for your research career? Does the university provide you with the right kind and right amount of knowledge so that you can „make it” in the „real world”? If not, in what ways should you improve yourself? What is (or should be) the true merit of a PhD degree (besides its ego-boosting effect that you can put „Dr.” in front of your name) when you start your workeither in academia or in the industry? Douniversities fully realize what skills should be mostly developed during a PhD program? Do research facilities fully realize what they can or should expect from such PhD programs? What skills are needed to be demonstrated in a job interview? Although these questions, and many related ones, are of utmost importance at an individual as well as an institutional level, they are typically not addressed with sufficient conscientiousness, and are poorly understood by all involved parties, i.e. students, supervisors, research institutes and industrial R&D facilities, etc. Furthermore, the topic is surrounded by many misguided stereotypes and myths, especially about what it means to be „talented” as a researcher, which can have rather negative practical consequences. In this admittedly somewhat off-the-wall, and perhaps even provocative, presentation I will attempt to discuss these issues on the basis of having gained quite a lot of experience as a researcher as well as a manager of a research unit in both a heavy-duty pharmaceutical industrial research environment, and also in a university setting. Based on this experience, I will argue that while technical expertise and a sufficient degree of „smartness” are of course important qualities, the „talent” that really matters in the long run is dominated by skills that will be referred to as „attitude competencies”. I will mention a number of such skills, including the attitude-driven ability to avoid the „mental traps” that can easily affect even the smartest and most experienced scientific minds. 1 In all, the messages to be conveyed will probably be surprising, but hopefully also inspiring with a positive outlook on the „secret” of being a „good researcher”.
Welcome Point has made a video with a checklist before arrival. The video contains essential information for international students coming to the University of Warsaw.
To-Do List (before arrival):
Check the formal conditions;
Secure housing;
Obtain a PESEL number;
Health insurance;
Legalise your stay;
Pack your bags properly.
In case of any questions regarding studying at the university or living in Poland, please contact Welcome Point staff: welcome(at)uw.edu.pl and visit the website: www.welcome.uw.edu.pl.
Employees and doctoral candidates of the University of Warsaw can book free of charge COVID-19 RT-PCR tests until 31st December. UW employees and doctoral candidates can book a test.
Employees and doctoral candidates have an opportunity to undergo COVID-19 RT-PCR tests that detect active SARS-COV-2 infection.
Testing takes place on-site (on the campus in Ochota) following the registration.
SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR detects viral RNA. Diagnostic tests use a mucus sample from the nose or throat. Medical personnel take a swab which will get analysed by Warsaw Genomics.
Before getting tested:
At least half an hour before taking a swab for SARS-CoV-2 virus, one should not:
drink,
eat,
smoke cigarettes,
take medications,
brush their teeth,
rinse mouth and nose,
chew gum.
Testing period: COVID-19 swab collection will continue until 31st December 2021.
How to book a test?
Step 1: Download a discount code
A discount code, which entitles employees and doctoral candidates of the University of Warsaw to get tested free of charge, can be downloaded from covid.uw.edu.pl.
Taking a swab will take place on the campus in Ochota, in the building of the Sports and Recreation Centre, in a separate room with a separate entrance. Tests are organised and coordinated by the University of Warsaw. Swabs will be collected by medical professionals.
Warsaw Genomics team will offer tests from Monday to Friday: 8 am – 6 pm.
Please note: A person should come to the swab collection facility wearing a protective mask on, with their ID and test order number, which will be generated during registration.
Step 4: Get your results
The test results will be available to patients at https://wyniki.warsawgenomics.pl/. It can take up to three business days until the results will be given. One should enter their order number (from the e-mail confirming acceptance of the SARS-CoV-2 test) and their PESEL number (or their ID number if there is no PESEL number). It will be possible to download the signed and authorized test result.
Discount on RT-PCR test for family members of UW employees and doctoral candidates
UW employees and doctoral students who will get tested can receive a discount from WARSAW GENOMICS for 4 RT-PCR tests to be used by their family members. The reduction amounts to PLN 89, and the cost of the test for a family member is PLN 350. Family members (max. 4) can use the discount by booking a test at: https://badamygeny.pl/zamow.
How to get a discount code for family members?
The discount code will be sent by Warsaw Genomics by e-mail, confirming registration for the free RT-PCR test for active SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection.
The Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry announces a competition for the position of Assistant Professor (Adiunkt) in a group of teaching staff. Deadline for applications: 27.10.2021, 14.00. For more info see >> pdf
“I care about others”, “I believe in science”, “I want to travel around the world”, “I want to study normally”, “I want to live a normal life”, “I want to live” – these are the reasons to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The “Arm in arm” campaign has started at the University of Warsaw.
The promotional campaign of the University of Warsaw regarding vaccination against COVID-19 is an initiative of the UW authorities. It is aimed at all members of the UW academic community. It comprises a series of posters, banners and activities on the UW profiles on social media. The materials will also be published on the websites and fan pages of UW units.
Together against COVID-19
As part of the campaign, a promotional video encouraging all to get vaccinated against COVID-19 has been launched. In the video, there are six representatives of various groups of the UW academic community:
Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, UW Rector;
Prof. Jacek Jemielity, UW researcher form the UW Centre of New Technologies,
Dr. Katarzyna Lubryczyńska-Cichocka, UW staff representative, Director of the UW Open University;
Anita Gardias, UW doctoral candidate;
Kamil Bonas, UW student, President of the UW Students Council;
Gelila Shumi Tolla, UW international student from Ethiopia.
What are the reasons to get vaccinated? Our representatives enumerate: “I care about others”, “I believe in science”, “I want to travel around the world”, “I want to study normally”, “I want to live a normal life”, and “I want to live”.
Each of us has a reason. Let’s stand arm in arm against COVID. Let’s get vaccinated,” says Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, Rector of the University of Warsaw.
On 29th and 30th September, the UW Welcome Point organises two meetings for long-term international students who begin their education at the University of Warsaw. The meetings will inaugurate the 2021/2022 academic year.
UW international students are invited to join the meeting where Welcome Point team members will present the most relevant information on the University of Warsaw, its structure, and elementary rules. New UW students can learn about numerous opportunities which are open to members of the UW community.
The UW Faculty of Economic Sciences has open its Welcome Point, a branch of central Welcome Point at the University of Warsaw. The new office will support the international community of the faculty, of which 25% comes from over 50 countries.
The Welcome Point office is located in building C on the first floor, room G.
On 28th September,Prof. Sławomir Żółtek, the UW Vice-Rector for Students and Quality of Teaching, will be answering questions regarding, among other things, the organisation of education at the University of Warsaw in the upcoming academic year.
An online meeting with the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education Quality, Prof. Sławomir Żółtek, will be devoted to the principles of education in the new academic year that begins on 1st October, and student affairs, including financial assistance.
Anyone interested in the topic of the meeting can fill in the form and ask their question by 24th September, 20:00. During the online meeting, Prof. Sławomir Żółtek will be answering selected questions.
Live in Polish will take place on 28th September, at 14:00, on the UW profile on Facebook.
For English-language speakers, the meeting will be broadcast on the UW profile on YouTube.
The new academic year will begin on 1st October. Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, Rector of the University of Warsaw, has defined the rules for the organisation of education in the upcoming academic year 2021/2022 and the rules for the organisation of online classes, examinations and credits.
UW’s priority is to ensure the safety of its entire community and provide access to education at the highest level. Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, Rector of the University of Warsaw, has decided that teaching and learning at the University of Warsaw will be held on-site. However, there will be a possibility to conduct selected didactic classes remotely. The decision was made based on the repealed regulation of the Minister of Education and Science as of 25th February 2021 on temporarily limiting the operation of universities during the COVID-19 pandemic and taking into account the current epidemic situation, as well as in response to numerous voices from the academic community of UW.
Due to the Rector’s ordinances, heads of teaching units and directors of doctoral schools are entitled to specify which didactic classes will be conducted online.
As of 1st October 2021, the following regulations will apply:
ORGANISATION OF EDUCATION:
Classes will, in principle, be held on-site;
As for full-time study programmes: 1st, 2nd and long cycle – uniform Master’s studies, as well as doctoral schools, selected didactic classes in particular: lectures, courses and training, may exceptionally be conducted remotely;
Regarding part-time study programmes: 1st, 2nd and long cycle – uniform Master’s studies, as well as doctoral studies, post-graduate studies, courses and training, all classes may be held remotely;
As part of an individual course, student groups can be divided into those that conduct on-site classes and those that carry them out remotely;
Language classes and university-wide classes may be conducted remotely.
CLASSES IN REMOTE MODE:
The decision to conduct classes entirely remotely or partly remotely can be made by:
The Head of teaching unit: it refers to 1st, 2nd and long cycle – uniform Master’s studies and post-graduate studies;
The Head of doctoral studies: it refers to classes conducted as part of doctoral study programmes;
The Director of doctoral school: it refers to classes conducted in doctoral schools;
The Head of an organisational unit or another designated person: it refers to courses and training.
Classes in remote mode cannot be held only asynchronously.
PERIODIC CLASSES IN REMOTE MODE:
Classes, which were supposed to be held on-site, can be conducted remotely for a specified period, following the consent of the head of the didactic unit or the director of the doctoral school, respectively.
Participants must be notified about the transition to remote mode at least 24 hours in advance.
EXAMS AND CREDITS:
Exams and credits will be conducted on-site;
In justified cases, it will be possible to verify learning outcomes in an online format;
Diploma examinations will be conducted on-site. Heads of teaching units can decide on the possible remote procedure at the request of the supervisor of the diploma dissertation.
REMOTE EXAMINATIONS:
The information on the remote mode of exams and credits will be included in the syllabus. If there is no such information in the syllabus, exams or credits will be held on-site;
In justified cases, heads of teaching units or directors of doctoral schools can decide to conduct exams remotely in a situation when there had been no information about it in the syllabus;
In principle, the following IT tools will be used to conduct online examinations: e-learning platform “Kampus”; Google tools available in the “G Suite for schools and universities” package, in particular, Google Meet; Microsoft Teams and “Zoom”;
Certification exams in modern foreign languages may be conducted online.
CONSULTATIONS AND DUTY HOURS:
Consultations and duty hours of academic teachers for students, doctoral candidates and postgraduate students will be held on-site in the buildings of the University of Warsaw.
In justified cases, consultations and duty hours of academic teachers may be held online.
COVERING MOUTH AND NOSE:
It is mandatory to cover the mouth and nose with a face mask in the UW buildings.
Due to the nature of classes, academic teachers can decide that participants may not wear face masks.
Academic teachers are not obliged to cover their mouth and nose.
PARTICIPANTS OF CLASSES FROM VULNERABLE GROUPS:
Students and doctoral candidates who cannot participate in classes conducted on-site due to their health condition can request an individual organisation of education. The consent may be granted by the head of the teaching unit or the director of the doctoral school;
Absence from classes conducted on-site, resulting from quarantine or isolation, will be justified.
View the two ordinances issued by the UW Rector on 16th September 2021:
In addition, ordinance no. 98 of the Rector of the University of Warsaw of 18th June 2021 on the operation of the University of Warsaw in the COVID-19 epidemic is still in force. View this ordinance (in Polish) >>
