Sport at the University of Lodz
Studies and Sport at the University of Lodz is the result of all the previous activities carried out on this topic at our university, as well as the effect of the achievements we have observed in students over the last few years.
In 2023 alone, as many as eight student-athletes from the University of Lodz have qualified for the fourth edition of the National Academic Team, enabling them to simultaneously develop their sporting and academic careers. Their achievements included both national and international successes. Jakub Kraska, who has won the Chengdu Universiade title in the 4x100m freestyle relay and became European youth champion in the mixed relay of the same length is among them. Magdalena Łuczak, meanwhile, made a name for herself by winning three gold medals at the Polish Championships and breaking her own World Cup record in the giant slalom. Paulina Grzegórska and Filip Krata won medals at the European Academic Kickboxing Championships, while at the Polish Academic Championships, students from the University of Lodz won a total of nine medals, including three gold ones. Athletes from the University of Lodz have also enjoyed numerous successes in national competitions, winning medals in many disciplines and contributing to the university's triumph in the overall Lodz Voivodship Academic Championships, which included more than 30 sports disciplines.
And what is Studies and Sport programme?
Studies and Sport programme is an opportunity for the development of such people – male and female students who achieve sporting triumphs on a daily basis, but do not want to give up a solid higher education. The programme, created in line with the Conclusions of the Council of the European Union on dual careers for athletes, is one of the unconventional ventures on the Polish educational market. It offers those studying at the university of Lodz individually tailored study plans, scholarship opportunities and other benefits to enable them to fully commit to both their studies and training.
The importance of the programme is not only recognised by members of our academic community. City authorities are also involved in promoting the programme. In the spring of 2023, a letter of intent was signed at the Faculty of Educational Sciences, starting cooperation between the City of Lodz Office and the University of Lodz.
Academic Lodz is a great asset for the development of sport in our city, which is why we want to support the new University of Lodz programme as effectively as possible and ensure that more students combine their careers with science. The potential is huge – further medals, successes and inspiration for other young people who may not even know that they no longer have to choose between a sports career and higher education at an excellent university
– said Joanna Skrzydlewska, Deputy Mayor of the City of Lodz
Studies and Sport at the University of Lodz – for whom?
All students of the University of Lodz, regardless of their level and form of study, who exhibit a high level of sportsmanship can apply for the programme. This level must be confirmed by appropriate certificates from Polish or foreign sports associations.
Candidates meeting these requirements submit their applications together with the necessary documents, which should include, among other things, a sports training plan or the statement required by the Rector's Regulation. All steps of the recruitment process can be found on the website of the Studies and Sport programme and in the Rector's Regulation No. 100 posted there.
This year, 33% more people qualified for the programme compared to the last year – a total of 44 male and female students, eight of whom hold the highest national sports championship class, twelve have the master class, and twenty-four have the first class.
Those included in the second edition of the 'Studies and Sport at the University of Lodz' programme represent as many as 14 sports disciplines. We have, of course, our classic, most popular sports, such as athletics, swimming and basketball, but also sports that are a little less obvious, such as hockey and alpine skiing. The beneficiaries of our programme include Olympic athletes from Tokyo, Jakub Kraska and Mateusz Rzeźniczak, as well as our Beijing Olympian Magdalena Łuczak. We also have medallists in international events: athletics, Klaudia Wojtunik or beach volleyball player Magdalena Ciężkowska
– said Aleksandra Leszczyńska, sports director of the Academic Sports Association of the University of Lodz, during one of the press breakfasts organised by the University of Lodz.
Studies and Sport Programme is getting more and more popular!
The Studies and Sport programme is actively promoted inside and outside our university. The university cooperates with the City of Lodz Office, which contributes to raising the profile of the programme and attracting new male and female candidates. Information about the programme is regularly published by the University of Lodz Communications and PR Centre on various platforms, including social media and traditional news channels such as employee and student newsletters.
The University of Lodz also does not forget to promote the programme at education fairs, during university events such as press breakfasts with the media and in materials for university applicants.
Information about the Studies and Sport at the University of Lodz also appears at events such as the European Universities Games or during school visits, where #UniLodz Ambassadors talk about the programme.
The media are also interested in the programme and regularly report on the successes of the participants and the objectives of the initiative itself:
Information about the programme is beginning to take on a life of its own, so that we more and more often find it on the social media of various institutions, including:
Pass it on!
If you know high school or university students who are passionate about sport and are looking for a way to develop their skills without neglecting their education, the University of Lodz's 'Studies and Sport' programme could be a perfect solution for them. We encourage you to share information about this unique initiative and tell the stories of those who are already benefiting from our university's flexible approach to education and sport. Help others seize the opportunity to achieve both academic and sporting success!
Source: Communications and PR centre, University of Lodz