University of Lower Silesia DSW

The DSW University of Lower Silesia [PL: Uniwersytet Dolnośląski DSW] is a non-public university known for its high academic standing, innovative approaches to learning, and well-established research and educational networks at the national and international levels. Apart from excellence in teaching and research, DSW actively works for the local community, implementing engaged educational programs, research, and development projects in cooperation with educational and cultural institutions and civil society organizations. The number of students attending DW increased from 368 in 1997 to almost 8,000 in 2023, and the institution employs 110 full-time academic staff at the rank of Professor, Associate, and Assistant Professor and 83 administrative employees. DSW offers accredited programs of study at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels in the Polish, English, and Czech languages, a range of post-graduate courses, ERASMUS+ programs for students from European universities, and international doctoral summer courses in cooperation with North American and Danish universities. It is one of only four nonpublic institutions of higher education in Poland that have been authorized to confer “habilitation” (Associate Professor degree) in Education, as well as doctoral degrees in Education, Social Communication and Media Studies by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education. These accreditations confirm DSW’s its excellence in research, teaching, service, and development. International research cooperation is one of the principal pillars of DSW’s development strategy. DSW is an active institutional member of international research organizations and associations (ESREA, EUPRERA, ISCAR, UDEM, HDCA, IAVEG, TACEUSS). It is a member of international research teams and projects financed by the European Union, including HORIZON 2020, GRUNDTVIG, COMENIUS, LIFELONG LEARNING, INTERREG IIIC, ERASMUS+, COST, and many national programs, including grants from the National Science Center, Foundation for Polish Science, National Center for Research and Development, as well as regional and municipal initiatives, such as those of the Wrocław Academic Center and the Wrocław City Council. The DSW Management (Rector, Chancellor, Dean) will provide all support in the implementation of the project, which is considered a high academic priority for the University. The project will be implemented within the existing organizational structures of DSW and will be overseen by the Project Office, whose management and staff have many years of documented experience in project implementation (Horizon 2020, NCN, NCBiR, FRSE, Erasmus+ Program. DSW is experienced in the area of project implementation in the following dimensions: (i) international research (e.g. the project confirming the outcome of learning outside a formal institution - EDUPRO, strengthening the cooperation with the employers' environment for graduate employment and researching the labor market needs - EMPLOY, building transnational networks of teachers – EDiTE, NCN projects on democratic and critical education); (ii) teaching (fields of study and specialties regarding the animation, management and administration of cultural heritage); (iii) organizational (qualified administrative staff able to support activities in the socio-economic environment and bilateral agreements with employers and social enterprises.