The University of Agriculture in Krakow derives its experience from the intellectual heritage and tradition of the Jagiellonian University. At this very University, agronomical and forestry sciences developed since 1890 and young people were educated with particular regard to their patriotic upbringing. From the moment when the Study of Agronomy was founded at the Jagiellonian University, agriculture has been permanently taught at the university level. Over the whole history of these studies, the subsequent generations of professors followed a common guiding principle, i.e. bringing up young people in reverence for civil liberties and ethical rules. For such attitude, the members of academic staff often suffered repressive measures and some were even deprived of the right to teach.
Today, after fifty years of the University functioning as an independent institution we still recognize the independence of ideas and attitudes as well as protection of commonly accepted academic rules and values as our priorities.
The main objective of the University of Agriculture in Krakow as the institution of higher education is educating experts who would find employment in the widely understood food and forest economies and specialists in environmental protection. The University aims to prepare professionals able to meet the challenges of contemporary sustainable development based on ecological rules of management and utilization of the Earth resources.
Anticipating the future trends of economic development the University provides modern knowledge and skills in agricultural sciences, forestry, biological and economic sciences, and engineering. Socio-economic changes which occurred in Poland caused that a new type of qualifications is now expected from the University of Agriculture graduate. In place of a professional prepared to supervise production processes in agriculture, a specialist able to combine his technological expertise with advisory skills and proper economic knowledge is required. The University of Agriculture graduate, highly proficient in his knowledge and communication skills should be properly prepared to work in the areas of widely understood services for agriculture. A growing number of specialists in the EU countries has such profile of professional qualifications.
Due to such a defined graduate profile, the University constantly modifies and updates its curricula at the same time extending the scope of biological subjects and humanities. The core of these changes should be programs constructed to enable not only teaching but also stimulating creative thinking in students. Diversification of study programs may be a chance to reach this objective. However, it requires a new outlook on the role of an academic teacher who should become more of a moderator and guide in the teaching process using modern teaching methods.
To provide the graduates with skills that would meet the expectations and needs of the future labor market, information technologies are implemented as part of curricula in all fields of studies. Also, internships realized both outside our University and in its experimental units are changing their character given introduced modifications. All members of the academic staff are obliged to do their best to maintain a high quality of teaching.
Participation in extensive research programs also international ones and adopting information technologies to assist the development of agriculture should build up the importance and strengthen the University identity both in Poland and abroad.
Our University should develop in many directions through:
- adjustment of traditional fields of studies to future needs of agriculture and natural environment through modifications of present teaching programs to meet the expectations of the young generation and match the socio-economic changes in Poland and the EU
- seeking new lines of teaching and research which can develop in future
- concern for the dynamic development of staff capable of researching a world level in all disciplines represented at the University
- organizational changes allowing for successful training of students, conducting research activities, and simultaneously properly utilizing the University resources.
The Malopolska region has a specific agrarian structure and regional profile. It should be reflected in both didactic and research activities pursued at the University, mainly concerning mountain economy and agritourism, organic farming, and natural environment protection.
The University of Agriculture in Krakow boasts a rich tradition of close co-operation with universities in Krakow and with other academic institutions in Poland and abroad. Continuing and strengthening this collaboration will add to and widen our educational and research offer, which will serve to meet the future social and civilization needs.
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