The pandemic situation forced a change in the functioning of the university. This problem also affected the students.
I think it was a particularly difficult situation for them because, in addition to the issue of education and the constraints on the university activities, they were struggling with housing, livelihood and formal challenges. We were all surprised by the scale of the threat and the uncertainty surrounding the future, both near and far. We had no doubt that student representatives had to be part of the crisis management centre at Lodz University of Technology, as we had to make many decisions regarding their cases.
How did they cope in this demanding situation?
I am full of admiration for the responsible attitude, commitment and solidarity of the students. Not only did they give their opinion on the documents concerning the organisation of classes, but they also supported each other very strongly. I appreciate the quick adaptation to the requirements of distance learning. The students have passed this test very well. We have all learned how to participate in seminars, laboratories, using distance working methods. The same is true of the exam session and of defending diploma theses. One more reason to thank them for their excellent cooperation.
It is also worth noting that already in the first weeks of the pandemic, research clubs as well as groups of active, formally unaffiliated students started organising help for the medics and began creating protective equipment, using 3D printers at the disposal of Lodz University of Technology. Let us not forget that at that time every shield and mask was priceless.
This is not the only reason for the university to be proud.
That's right, despite the difficulties related to pandemic restrictions, the TUL students have achieved numerous successes recently. It's impossible to list them all, but I would like to mention the funding received in the ministerial competition: "Student research clubs create innovations" and "Best of the best 4.0". The GUST team's backyard turbine project won 1st place in the KOKOS competition for ecological solutions. In turn, a student of the Faculty of Material Technologies and Textile Design, Barbara Florczyk, won the competition for the design of outfits for the Polish pavilion staff during EXPO 2020 in Dubai.
I am full of appreciation for the creativity and skills of students who triumph both individually and as a team.
As Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, you know the situation in the academic community very well. What problems are students facing today?
The time of the pandemic and social isolation has evidently affected many areas of our lives. It seems to me that the greatest challenge will be to rebuild relationships, renew enthusiasm in the implementation of projects, and activate students – both in individual work and in the activities of research clubs.
The university offers psychological support, individually analyses the situation of everyone who asks for help – both formal and material. We hope that with the return to campus in the autumn there will be a natural revival of energy and commitment, but we will also initiate the integration of students - let's not forget that some of them have not really had a chance to meet in person or feel the atmosphere of studying. We are very keen for the academic spirit to wake up on campus as soon as possible, which is why we are planning, for example, soft skills training with student organisations to build community.
A perfect opportunity for this could be the European University Games, which TUL will host in July 2022. How are the preparations going?
One year remains to this greatest celebration of academic sports on the old continent. We are in the decisive phase of infrastructural and organisational preparations. It is worth noting that entire Academic Łódź is involved in the EUG 2022, which is an excellent opportunity to promote the city and the university. The event is an amazing opportunity not only for athletes but also for the entire academic community. In the autumn we will be launching recruitment for volunteers who will have the chance to gain invaluable experience by helping out. I encourage all interested persons to get involved in this extraordinary event, which, alongside the sporting competition, will feature an international conference of European universities rectors. It will be dedicated to innovations in sport and rehabilitation.
We expect about 5,000 competitors, who - importantly in the context of the epidemic threat - will be in Łódź on a rotating basis.
Which discipline are you particularly fond of?
As a student I trained volleyball and swimming – at the Olimpia swimming pool. My passion for water has remained and today I regularly go to the pool, covering the distance of 2 kilometres in the classic style. The proximity and the offer of the Sports Bay of Lodz University of Technology is very convenient, which is why I go swimming in such pleasant surroundings several times a week.
Interviewed by Agnieszka Garcarek-Sikorska