Przed.Szkole PL - Lublin University of Technology open for multiculturalism

Funding Organization: National Agency for Academic Exchange

WELCOME TO POLAND

Project title: Przed.Szkole PL - Lublin University of Technology open for multiculturalism

Agreement number: BPI/WTP/2024/1/00008/U/00001

Edition of the competition: 2024

Project implementation period: 01.10.2025 - 30.09.2027

Principal Investigator: dr Celina Handzel

Project value: 380 400,00 PLN

Funds granted for Lublin University of Technology: 380 400,00 PLN

Abstract: The project “Przed. Szkole PL - Lublin University of Technology open to multiculturalism” will be implemented at the Lublin University of Technology by the Office of Internatuional Education (BKM) from October 2025 to September 2027.

The project includes seven tasks: five training courses for Lublin University of Technology employees, organizing a Welcome Point at the university, and preparing a tab dedicated to the Welcome Point on the LUT website in English. The training courses for employees will focus on five thematic areas:

1. training in intercultural competence - participants will gain cultural awareness that will allow them to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts when interacting with foreigners. They will become sensitive to the intercultural context, norms, and communication styles characteristic of particular groups of foreigners;
2. communication skills training - participants will acquire effective communication skills, especially in a multicultural environment. The above-mentioned area will focus on acquiring the skills of attentive listening, understanding the situation, and responding appropriately to information provided by the interlocutor;
3. training in negotiation skills - classes in the form of exercises, discussions, case studies, and role-playing. The aim of negotiation skills training is to teach techniques, strategies, and tactics that enable participants to achieve favorable results. Employees will develop the ability to express their expectations, arguments, and needs in a way that is understandable and convincing to foreign students and employees at the Lublin University of Technology.
4. Intergenerational skills training - classes will be conducted in the form of workshops and interactive activities. The aim of the training is to develop effective cooperation and communication between people from different generations, i.e. BB, X, Y, Z.
5. Brand building training - aimed at young academic staff employed at the Lublin University of Technology for up to 10 years (E+ classification). Acquiring such skills at the beginning of an academic career can contribute to its better development. The aim of the brand building training is to build the position of young scientists as representatives of an international university on the education market. Participants will understand how the university's brand influences its perception by students, researchers, external partners, and the general public.

The training will be conducted at each of the six faculties of LUT with two training sessions in each area. The exception is the brand building training, which will be conducted for an open group of academic teachers with up to 10 years of work experience. Recruitment will be conducted in accordance with the Training Regulations, which will be developed and made public after the project starts. Recruitment will be based on the principles of accessibility for people with special needs, equal opportunities, and non-discrimination, including ensuring equal opportunities for women and men. In order to comply with the principle of sustainable development, the recruitment of training participants will be carried out via an online application form. The training will be addressed to both academic and administrative staff of the University who are involved in admitting and serving foreign nationals and persons going abroad.

A mobile LUT Welcome Point will be organized at BKM. As part of its activities, the project provides for the organization of a mobile point, which will be available at each of the six faculties during Welcome Week at the beginning of the semester (October 2025, February 2026, October 2026, and February 2027) for students arriving in Poland. In addition, online meetings (two per semester covered by the project) will be held, dedicated to the living conditions of foreign students and employees in Poland. As part of the Welcome Point's activities, cultural and special events will also be organized, e.g., a winter meeting, a meeting dedicated to diversity, and a spring meeting on the history of science in different countries. A part-time employee will be hired to run the Welcome Point, who will be responsible for the daily service of foreign students and employees arriving and staying in Poland.

A subpage dedicated to the Welcome Point will be created on the PL website in English. The page will contain content about the university, the city, and the region, content related to organizing arrival and stay at the Lublin University of Technology, and necessary information about legalizing stay and living in Poland. The subpage will also feature up-to-date content on activities and events organized by the Welcome Point.

The creation of a subpage dedicated to LUT Welcome Point content will allow for a comprehensive presentation of information needed by foreigners to efficiently, correctly, and effectively prepare for their arrival in Poland, thus streamlining the process after arrival.

The visual identity system of the project involves the creation of a logo associated with the project title and graphics related to the idea of Welcome Point.