Challenges of sustainable development

Project facts

Project promoter:
CARDINAL STEFAN WYSZYNSKI UNIVERSITY IN WARSAW(PL)
Project Number:
PL-EDUCATION-0247
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€55,344
Final project cost:
€55,344
Donor Project Partners:
Landbúnaðarháskóli Íslands(IS)
Programme:

More information

Description

The project "Challenges of Sustainable Development" aims to improve the quality of the organization of studies and teaching in the master''s program in sustainability studies, the studies are offered at Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw (UKSW) since 2017. The project involves training of 10 faculty members and mutual exchange of knowledge and experience in the field of sustainable development by UKSW and the University of Agriculture of Iceland (URI). The project will provide new knowledge to 6 UKSW''s staff and 4 URI''s staff. The final beneficiaries will be students, including sustainability studies students, who come from developing countries. The project will include three one week-long trainings and two conferences that will disseminate knowledge from the project (conferences will be open to all interested parties). It is expected that participation in the trainings will allow the staff of both universities to improve the competences in the area of sustainable development. UKSW staff will train URI staff in ethical and humanistic aspects of sustainable development and in assessment of the effectiveness of sustainable development strategies using bio-indicators. URI staff will train UKSW staff in forest management, climate change, and environmental protection in Icelandic ecosystems. The long-term benefit will be the strengthening of cooperation between the two universities and preparing them to work together on joint course or studies program. In addition, the project will also benefit from increasing the quality of education of leaders of environmental change in developing countries. 
The project management methodology will be based on procedures developed at UKSW''s during many years of experience in project implementation.

Summary of project results

The project "Challenges of Sustainable Development" was aimed at improving the quality of the organization of studies and teaching at the master''s degree program in environmental protection conducted by Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw (UKSW). The project trained 11 staff members (7 from UKSW, 4 from URI) and planned mutual exchange of experience and knowledge in the area of sustainable development. This was achieved through training sessions held during study visits (2 visits to URI; 1 visit to UKSW) and dissemination activities (popular science seminar and conference). The implementation of the project''s activities was essential to create opportunities for the exchange of knowledge and good practices in the field of sustainable development and the organization of the didactic process. 

The knowledge gained by UKSW staff was integrated into the didactic process, which is reflected in the syllabuses of subjects taught in English (intellectual output nr 1 of the project) and case studies (intellectual output nr 2 of the project). 

The main results of the project were mainly the acquisition of new knowledge in the field of sustainable development and the organization of the teaching process. Particularly interesting for the participants were local activities for sustainable development, such as the methods of river management by a local community in Iceland or the care of wild ducks for their feathers. In turn, the Icelandic partners were very impressed over the forest stand of the Bialowieza National Park''s strict reserve. There are no forests in Iceland, and the forest, which is several hundred years old, is unique in Europe. Both participating universities expanded their knowledge in a greater way than expected at the proposal writing stage. 

 In addition, the relationship with the partner university was greatly strengthened over the course of the project. The study visits provided an opportunity to learn more about the range of knowledge and competencies of the partners. The visits initiated discussions on teaching exchanges.

Summary of bilateral results

Through the implementation of the project, both partners prepared an attractive and scientifically important program of visits and conferences and seminars. Participation in these events significantly raised the level of knowledge of all project participants and students of both universities. The benefit of having a partner from donor countries is the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of a country more involved in implementing sustainable development. Many of Iceland''s practices in this area can serve as a valuable example of sustainable resource management and a democratic society.Both parties are interested in sustaining the existing relationship and continuing to work together.

Information on the projects funded by the EEA and Norway Grants is provided by the Programme and Fund Operators in the Beneficiary States, who are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of this information.