Good and effective cooperation is based on relationships. Thanks to events such as the conference in Oulu we can establish new contacts and get to know each other well. In simple words – to like one another! I feel convinced that involvement in the activities of the Alliance of post-industrial cities in transition – UNIC provides many development opportunities not only for the University of Lodz, but also for Lodz itself. Thanks to such initiatives, we have a chance as a city and university to exist in the international arena, to be recognisable, to be a place that people want to visit, which they want to come to
– emphasises Anna Rolczak, Deputy Chancellor of the University of Lodz.
The opening session of the conference focused on crossing boundaries to create stronger ties between UNIC and cities and social engagement. The participants listened to speeches by the Vice-Rector for Research at the University of Oulu and the Mayor of Oulu, but also the new coordinator of the Alliance, Prof. Semiha Denktaş, who underlined the importance of involving the three pillars of the UNIC campus (Centre for City Futures, Centre for Teaching and Learning, Capacity Building Centre) in multi-level cooperation with cities and local communities.
During panels, workshops and working meetings, the conference participants try to answer a number of questions, including how to increase community awareness of UNIC, how to engage students and encourage them to join the proposed activities, how to create interdisciplinary projects in cooperation with cities, and how to incorporate non-standard teaching methods into existing curricula. The signing of the Founding Charter of the Centre for City Futures by the ten cities in which UNIC universities are located is to be one of the key points of the conference.
Members of the delegation from the University of Lodz about the UNIC conference and its importance for the University of Lodz academic community:
The strength of the University of Lodz is demonstrated by the strength of its external relations. The university has always operated in a society, but this context is becoming increasingly more important (locally – the third evaluation criterion and globally – new rankings), hence the need for a broader discussion. The UNIC conference in Oulu is devoted to the topic of the impact of universities on society. Together we are wondering what to do to further socialise the university and promote citizen science. The experience we have gained will help us continue to open up to the needs of citizens and better respond to the challenges of the modern world
– Dr hab. Agnieszka Kurczewska, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz, Faculty of Economics and Sociology.
Yet another UNIC working conference in Oulu is an opportunity to further strengthen relations between the Alliance partners. It is an inspiration for ideas for further joint activities between the partners, including projects and scientific publications. The warmth of the welcome given to our delegation by the organisers from Oulu effectively balanced the low temperatures outside. Regarding the future of the Alliance, we should appreciate the sincere words of the numerous partners who came representing cities that sometimes lacked specific solutions that could be used in the practice of city management. Working on projects that more directly address the needs of cities will certainly become an important challenge for the Alliance partners
– Dr bab. Mariusz Sokołowicz, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz.
The conference at the University of Oulu is an extremely inspiring event for me, as the coordinator of Thematic Line 7 (Arts, Culture and Creativity). On the one hand, it is an excellent opportunity to talk with other scientists about the goals of didactics oriented towards the challenges of everyday life, i.e. the so-called challenge-based learning. These discussions allowed for the exchange of experiences and reflections on effective teaching methods that prepare students to cope with the actual challenges posed by the modern world.
On the other hand, this conference also shows me a new perspective on culture. I was particularly impressed by the idea of presenting works from the city museum in an open art gallery that stretches through the corridors of the university building in Oulu. I was impressed with how wonderfully this concept was realized. It's an amazing way for students to engage with contemporary art on a daily basis. As they pass through these corridors, they have the opportunity to immerse themselves in various forms of artistic expression, which undoubtedly enriches their experience and develops aesthetic sensitivity.
The opportunity to have daily contact with art in an educational space is extremely valuable. I believe that such initiatives should be promoted and implemented in other academic institutions. Art has the power to inspire, stimulate reflection and develop creativity, which is invaluable in the educational process. That is why the idea of an open art gallery at the University of Oulu is for me an example of excellent practice that we should follow!
– Dr hab. Aneta Pawłowska, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz, Head of the University of Lodz Committee for Academic Degrees in Culture, Religion and Art Studies of the University of Lodz, Faculty of Philosophy and History, University of Lodz.
The Oulu conference, as its name suggests, is largely of a working nature. It is dedicated, among other things, to preparations for the next major event as part of the UNIC 2.0 Alliance, i.e. the first UNIC thematic conference, which will be held on 7–9 May 2025 at the University of Malmö. This conference entitled: "City Resilience, Sustainability and the Future of Inclusive Post-Industrial Societies" will focus on issues that combine three thematic lines of UNIC 2.0, i.e.: superdiversity, sustainability & green city as well as smart city & resilience. This event is to strengthen and tighten scientific cooperation between the universities forming the Alliance by showing that they are European leaders in research on the issues of global challenges (climate and environmental, demographic, technological and systemic, political) that post-industrial cities face in the transformation process. Due to the scientific nature of the Malmö conference, it was agreed that it would be an event open to all researchers in this field interested in participating
– Dr hab. Dominik Drzazga, Faculty of Management, University of Lodz
The meeting in Oulu is yet another opportunity to build cooperation on the already laid foundations. The opportunity to exchange experiences, knowledge and reflections with people functioning in a different scientific and didactic reality is of great importance for increasing our research and educational potential. From the point of view of our university, cooperation between Lodz and other cities is also of great importance. A developing city means a strong university – a strong university means a developing city
– Dr Izabela Florczak, Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Lodz.
The conference is a space for planning multi-area cooperation towards building a university of the future – a university that is involved in the affairs of the city and region, conducts socially engaged research, develops innovative teaching, creates opportunities for development, and is able to learn and adapt to changing operating conditions
– Małgorzata Gramala, International Hub, University of Lodz.
The atmosphere at the UNIC Working Conference is very inspiring and conducive to cooperation. The participants are engaged in intensive discussions and workshops aimed at developing new ideas and strategies. There is an open and friendly atmosphere that encourages the exchange of experiences and knowledge between different thematic groups. Evening social events, such as the Welcome Dinner, further encourage networking and relationship building
– Jakub Baraniak, Deputy Head of the IT Centre of the University of Lodz.
This year’s theme for the Oulu conference is engagement and cooperation between the city and the university, which is at the core of the UNIC Alliance. The presence of academic and administration staff, students and representatives of city halls from 10 different post-industrial cities allows for the establishment of contacts that will develop into interdisciplinary cooperation that goes beyond the original assumptions of the Alliance. An important goal of such meetings is the possibility of jointly creating new initiatives that will be continued in the long term and changing the way of thinking about UNIC not only as a project, but as a long-term, strategic cooperation with partners enabling the development of our university and the city
– Marta Jeżykowska, International Hub, University of Lodz.
University of Lodz joined UNIC – one of the 50 alliances of European Universities – in 2022. European Universities are transnational alliances that will become the universities of the future, promoting European values and identity, and revolutionising the quality and competitiveness of European higher education. They will do so by joint implementation of innovative solutions in the field of education and science and deep institutional integration.
The UNIC Alliance focuses on the challenges faced by post-industrial cities, the role of universities in their transformation and building the potential of cities in key areas such as:
- social inclusion,
- superdiversity,
- sustainability,
- social influence,
mobility.
UNIC entered the next phase of the Alliance in 2023, which resulted, among other things, in the modification of its name. UNIC 2.0 (European University of Cities In Post-Industrial Transition) is a continuation of the cooperation initiated within the UNIC (European University of Post-Industrial Cities) Alliance. It is an Alliance of 10 universities working together to develop education and support socially engaged research, focused on cooperation with post-industrial cities. The new Alliance covers activities in the years 2023-2027.
Source and edit: Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz