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Description
Staff from Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw (UKSW) have planned to participate in a 5-day study visit to the University of Agriculture of Iceland (URI). Both universities have been cooperating since 2012 in the scientific and didactic fields. The visit will be attended by 3 persons from UKSW, all of whom have significant academic achievements in the form of publications in renowned journals and international publications, participants of the visit are also experienced lecturers of a unique in Poland Master''s degree programme in sustainability studies. These studies are conducted in English by the Centre for Ecology and Ecophilosophy UKSW (CEiE). The visit will be attended by two members of the studies'' management team: the Director of CEiE and the studies'' coordinator.The aim of the visit is to improve the quality of education in sustainability studies by acquiring new knowledge, especially in the field of nature conservation in Iceland. Due to the climate in Iceland, there are scientifically interesting ecosystem elements (e.g. volcanic soil, hot springs or artificially created forest ecosystems). Hence, forms of nature conservation in Iceland were chosen as the topic of the visits.
The goal of the project is to: strengthen and maintain existing cooperation between UKSW and URI; search for new areas for future educational and scientific projects; improve language competences of the visit participants; create an opportunity to improve professional competences (in the field of good educational and research practices) of the visit participants, with particular emphasis on activities aimed at equal opportunities for women; gain new knowledge of good practices related to management in education.
Summary of project results
The study visit within the framework of the project was attended by 3 people from UKSW who have significant academic achievements in the form of publications in reputable journals and international publications. The participants of the visit are also experienced teachers and lecturers of a unique in the country master''s program of sustainability studies. The goal of the project is to improve the quality of education in this very field by acquiring new knowledge by the faculty of the course, especially in the area of nature conservation in Iceland. Due to the climate, Iceland has scientifically interesting ecosystem elements (such as volcanic soils, hot springs or artificially created forest ecosystems). Thanks to the project, the level of internationalization of UKSW and the quality of education in the sustainability studies course were raised through the acquisition of new knowledge by the faculty of the course, especially in the area of nature conservation in Iceland. The knowledge gained during the study visit will be incorporated into the content of classes and transferred to students. In addition, cooperation with URI has been strengthened. UKSW has been cooperating with URI for many years on scientific and teaching levels. During the visit, its participants had the opportunity to discuss potential future cooperation and consider what joint projects can be undertaken. There was an improvement in the language competence of the participants of the visit. All meetings during the visit were held in English, which contributed to the improvement of language competence of the visit participants. Participants gained new knowledge about good practices related to management in education. Through participation in the visit, participants were able to learn about practices that can be incorporated into the organization of studies at UKSW.
Summary of bilateral results
During the visit, teaching cooperation between UKSW and URI was discussed. The two universities are conducting a number of activities that are expected to lead to a joint course or program of study in the future.