Since its founding on August 1st, 2000 Stanislaw Staszic University of Applied Sciences in Piła has become an important part of our cities landscape, and though this is a short period, various consequential or even revolutionary socio-political changes have taken place in our country in this time. The changes had a profound effect on social and political life, the economy developed on new market rules, and we have been learning democracy as well as self-government. Increasingly, we have been taking responsibility not only for our local society but also for the whole nation.
The demands of that rapid and complex process were also knowledge, qualified and competent staff, which could more active and in larger number contribute to the progressive changes in our country that occurred in all areas of social and political life, economy, culture together with science and education. Amongst the consequences of the changes, also higher education developed rapidly, and the newly implemented Bologna system allowed the creation of two new higher education sectors in Poland: private schools and state vocational schools.
The significance and influence of higher education institutions on our cities development were noticed, thus the authorities provided conditions for the creation of prestigious university branches mainly from Poznań, but also Bydgoszcz, Szczecin, or Słupsk. At the end of the 1990s local government authorities and members of parliament together with a group of community workers decided to work towards creating a locally based higher education institution in Piła. Due to their determination and support of scientists from universities in Poznań, Bydgoszcz, Szczecin, Koszalin, and Słupsk, the efforts brought effects in the form of a legal act (Dz.U. 2000 nr 61 poz. 706) issued by the Republic of Poland government on July 18th, 2000 erecting the State School of Higher Vocational Education in Piła.
From the very beginning we were aware of our responsibility in achieving and maintaining high education standards, creating proper relations with authorities, city and region community, undertaking activities that would be beneficial for the Institution, and finally for the important mission of aiding the further development of the local community and city creation. Those issues have been taken into consideration in the conceptualization process of our Institution's mission and future growth. We have always emphasized the importance of applicable preparation of our graduates as well as their active participation in the process of developmental region changes. We would also like our students to cope with the challenges of the XXI century, to be competent and equal competitors with graduates of other Polish and foreign higher education institutions.
Graduates are representatives of our Institution, and we are proud of them to be such a good representation. They easily find themselves in various positions in the city or region and continue their studies attending master's degree studies at prestigious universities. They run their own business, start doctoral studies and get involved in educational work in our Institution.
We are glad that the students of Stanislaw Staszic University of Applied Sciences in Pila enhance our city culturally and educationally. They take part in a variety of cultural happenings, organize yearly student carnival, and numerous sports, entertainment, and science events. They want the events to be open to the public and are happy to invite children, youth from primary and secondary schools, and residents of the city. They realize the importance of good relationships with the community, authorities and bring their youthful enthusiasm to it.
The city has its locally based Higher Education Institution that educates yearly more than 2000 students within 12 different fields of study. The graduates actively participate in the city and region life contributing to its better future. Stanislaw Staszic University of Applied Sciences in Piła became an important institution in the region, and together with local government authorities participates in many current undertakings thus defining developmental perspectives of Piła and whole Northern Great Poland (Wielkopolska). We live in a symbiosis taking care of the city, region, and Institution wealth. We appreciate the constant and definite help that the Institution gets from authorities and a group of friends from the different environments of the city and regional community.
The Strategy of Internationalization of Stanisław Staszic University of Applied Sciences in Piła (later PWSZ in Piła) for years 2014-2020 has been established under act no. X/58/19 of PWSZ’s Senate on May 9th, 2013, in the matter of passing the strategy of internationalization at PWSZ in Piła together with: Declaration on the EU Policy at PWSZ in Piła and Declaration on Language Policy at PWSZ in Piła. In 2016 the Senate at PWSZ in Piła reassessed the existing strategy of internationalization and decided to adjust it to the actual needs of the Institution. The current strategy became effective with the Senate resolution, no. VI/37/17 dated 26 January 2017 in the matter of adopting the Internationalization Strategy at PWSZ in Piła for years 2017-2021 (attachment of the resolution).
Internationalization is one of the biggest challenges that tertiary education needs to face, either in Poland or worldwide. The Ministry of Science and Higher Education defined the process as not only taking up studies by international students, but also employing an academic staff from abroad, and organizing staff mobilities within international educational and research programs. Internationalization means also gaining and exchanging knowledge and experience. Finally, it means participation in the international programs of student and staff mobility, such as Erasmus+ and Fullbright.
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