Opole University of Technology in the European Universities alliance
After months of intensified efforts, we can now officially announce that Opole University of Technology has joined the prestigious group of European Universities!
Last week, the European Commission selected 14 new alliances, which included 9 Polish universities, including ours!
The European Universities alliances aim to improve the international competitiveness of higher education institutions in Europe promote European values and identity by fostering long-term structural, strategic, and sustainable cooperation between higher education institutions.
“This is very important and very good news for us because we place a strong emphasis on international cooperation. We employ foreign scientists, but our staff also go on internships and conduct research at prestigious universities. We are also involved in numerous international projects with institutions from various parts of the world. Now, our university of technology will be implementing a completely new model of education and academic exchange with partner institutions,” enumerates Professor Marcin Lorenc, Rector of the Opole University of Technology.
Among the 14 new alliances is KreativEU, which includes the Opole University of Technology. KreativEU (Knowledge & Creativity European University) is a joint initiative of 11 higher education institutions from across Europe, located in Portugal, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, and Turkey. Its aim is to create a European University that places the creative potential derived from European cultural heritage at the center of its educational, research, and knowledge transfer activities. KreativEU is a European University capable of offering a competitive and attractive European system of education and research, within which students, researchers, academic staff, and the entire society collaborate across different cultures, borders, and academic disciplines.
“As part of the consortium, we will be collaborating on the implementation of an innovative educational model. New interdisciplinary and international study programs will be created, along with courses offering the opportunity to obtain micro-credentials and summer schools in thematic areas including national heritage, architecture, cultural studies, ethnography, food sciences, material sciences, immersive technologies, artificial intelligence, ecology and landscape planning, sustainable development, economics, marketing, and management,” explains Dr. Eng. Aneta Kucińska-Landwójtowicz, Vice-Rector for Cooperation with the Socio-Economic Environment at the Opole University of Technology.
“The consortium’s premise is that classes will be conducted not only by the academic teachers from our universities but also by representatives of partner institutions, of which we have over 100 in the consortium. We aim to ensure flexibility that allows students to supplement the knowledge and skills acquired at their home universities. Classes conducted in this manner will enhance creativity, the ability to work in an international environment, expand their professional profiles, and add value to their social competencies,” enumerates Dr. Eng. Aneta Kucińska-Landwójtowicz.
“The consortium also plans courses within the framework of lifelong learning, open lectures, and events promoting lifelong learning. “We also intend to build the KreativEU Center of Excellence in digital education and AI. An educational digital platform, a digital library, and a series of podcasts will be created. The operation of the European University is also an opportunity for academic staff to develop in the area of international cooperation, both in teaching and research,” announces Dr. Eng. Aneta Kucińska-Landwójtowicz.