From 25-29 November 2024, purple – the signature colour of Mobility Week – took over our University. As in previous years, the week was filled with opportunities to connect and celebrate: from gatherings at the coffee truck and Erasmus Café for students and staff to the grand gala, where the Mobility Leaders awards for the 2023/24 academic year were presented. This year's winners are:
• In the category Mobility Leader – mobility for studies: Faculty of Technical Physics Information Technology and Applied Mathematics TUL
• Mobility Leader – mobility for traineeship: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environmental Engineering TUL
• Mobility Leader - staff mobility: Faculty of Organisation and Management TUL
International breakfasts at the TUL Language Centre's returned to the event line-up this year, enriching its schedule. Thanks to the diverse programme and cooperation with ESN-EYE Łódź and Student Radio Żak of Lodz University of Technology — the event’s official media partner — Mobility Week resonated strongly across the university and was met with enthusiastic feedback from the academic community, especially as we have more and more to offer in terms of foreign exchange. ‘We’ve seen a significant rise in interest among students for short-term mobility, a new option within the Erasmus+ programme, as well as opportunities to study in non-European countries,' says Magdalena Drabek-Glapińska, leader of the Student Mobility Section. ‘More and more young people are eager to gain experience in far-flung destinations, such as Japan or the United States. We’re continually expanding our offer to meet the growing expectations of our students,' she adds.
Mobility Week is not just about sharing knowledge and experiences; it’s also about creating moments of joy and building a strong, connected academic community, something often overlooked in the daily rush of work and study.
This year, the spirit of integration was elevated by a whimsical fortune-telling stand, set up in the International Cooperation Centre to celebrate St. Andrew’s Day, which coincided with the event. Dr Dorota Piotrowska, TUL Professor, and the most important Andrzej at Lodz University of Technology – the Vice-Rector for Education, Prof. Andrzej Romanowski stepped into the roles of fortune tellers. The sense of humour of the authorities was appreciated by the participants. St. Andrew’s fortune telling was an absolute hit! Stepping outside the usual roles and routines is a key part of the integrative spirit of Mobility Week. This event allows us to connect with the people we see every day but rarely get the chance to truly know – and discover just how amazing they are,' says Katarzyna Bednarczyk, one of the organisers.
Events such as Mobility Week are perfectly in line with the University's mission of internationalisation, which effectively promotes and popularises international exchange. This has the desired effect, as showcases the increasing popularity of mobility among staff and students, as well as TUL's rising position in rankings. However, the University is not resting on its laurels. - There are certainly still many challenges ahead of us. In particular, it is difficult to reach out to those who have never thought about going abroad. Many people at the university are still unaware of the extensive opportunities available or that participating in an exchange is even an option. Events like Mobility Week help us bridge that gap and spread the word,' stresses Katarzyna Bednarczyk.
