2023

The power of innovation - the new OPI portal now available

12 September 2023

The Information Processing Centre (OPI) prepared the Innowacje.opi.org.pl portal on behalf of the Ministry of Education and Science. This new address on the Polish Internet contains information on innovative projects which are particularly useful for entrepreneurs and the Polish scientific community. The new portal is not only an extensive database of innovations. Every user will also receive tips on where to find a suitable expert, a report, a scientific publication or even a free online course.

The Innowacje.opi.org.pl portal contains references to other OPI systems, such as the RAD-on portal, the Polish Scientific Bibliography, Funding Streams Service, NAVOICA or the Medical Research Agency system. Users will find here data on innovative publications and scientific projects, experts in the field, patents, research apparatus and research funding - including free reports and analyses. There is also a wide range of free online courses from the NAVOICA platform on innovation development.

OPI is the main developer and operator of IT systems that collect data on Polish science and higher education. The scope of information in these systems is very broad, which may cause problems with finding specific information. By choosing the address innowacje.opi.org.pl, each user gains access to a large database of innovative activities arranged in a simple and logical manner.

PLN 37 million for the education of students and doctoral students with disabilities

7 June 2023

In 2023  94 universities will receive more than PLN 37 million for tasks related to providing conditions for the disabled to fully participate in the university and doctoral school enrolment process and to educate disabled students and doctoral students or support them in their research activities.

Call for proposals for the new “Science for Society II” programme

April 2023

The programme will provide funding for projects aimed at building cooperation between different actors operating in the socio-economic sphere, developing and implementing solutions serving local and regional communities or developing theoretical models on social issues. More specifically research projects in the following areas:

Scientific excellence

This area supports the implementation of research projects aimed at:

- increasing the quality and pursuit of breakthroughs in scientific research (frontier research), in particular by identifying new research problems of key importance for socio-economic development and undertaking pioneering research work in this area,

- internationalisation of Polish science and increasing recognition of its achievements,

- working out and implementing the concept of development of scientific and didactic staff,

- improving the quality of academic teaching,

- identifying incentives and measures for the development of Polish science,

- shaping the public perception of Polish science.

Science for innovation

Within this area, support is provided for the implementation of research projects aimed at:

- improving the effectiveness of cooperation between science and the economic environment,

- supporting innovation processes and commercialisation of the results of scientific research and development works, as well as know-how related to these results, including promotion of good practices in the field of innovation,

- dissemination of knowledge on the relations between science and innovation and the economy.

Humanities - Society - Identity

This area supports the implementation of research projects aimed at:

- the development of the humanities and the stimulation and promotion of innovative humanities research,

- developing and promoting interdisciplinary research in the humanities,

- the use of the humanities for the development of other areas of science as well as culture, education, economy and society,

- researching and promoting the idea of ‘Polishness’ in history, culture and political thought,

- research into national (cultural) identity for the sake of the durability of the Polish national tradition,

- research into and promotion of Polish regional and national traditions and patriotic attitudes,

- researching and popularising regional and national sources of Polish culture (including literature, art, music and philosophical thought) at home and abroad,

- conducting research on Polish museums and places of national remembrance at home and abroad.

Physical culture/ sport for an active and healthy society

This area supports the implementation of research projects aimed at:

- monitoring, supporting and promoting the physical development, fitness and physical activity of society,

- developing and implementing innovative methods, forms and means of physical activity and training for people of all ages,

- conducting research of fundamental importance for the development of academic sport, including its promotion, or physical activity and sport development of people with disabilities,

- identification of persons with physical talent and a predisposition for sports training,

- study of the genetic and environmental determinants of physical fitness in people of different ages,

- injury prevention in physical education and sport.

Participation in the programme

Co-financing from the programme may be provided to, inter alia, universities, institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences, research institutes, institutes operating within the Łukasiewicz Research Network, the PAU, the Medical Centre for Postgraduate Education and other units promoting science.

The prerequisite for participation in the programme is, inter alia, the presentation of a research project with a maximum duration of 36 months and a maximum grant amount of PLN 2 million.

More information

New postgraduate courses to respond to the demand for specialists in nursery schools and schools

April 2023

In 2022 four new postgraduate programmes financed from the budget of the Ministry of Education and Science were launched in the following fields:

- early development support and family support,

- working with mixed ability classrooms,

- family counselling,

- supporting pupils' language communication methodology.

2022

Extension of the catalogue of fields of study offered as uniform master degree programmes

July 2022

The proposed amendments to the Regulation of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of 27 September 2018 on degree programmes provide for the expansion of the catalogue of degree programmes that can be taught as an uniform master's degree programme to include the following courses:

• interior architecture
• psychology and animal biology
• speech therapy
• programmes which provide education exclusively for firefighters in the State Fire Service
• degree programmes which exclusively provide training preparing for the teaching profession (excluding pre-school and early school pedagogy and special pedagogy, which are already offered as single master's degree programmes only).

Amendments to the classification of scientific fields, disciplines and artistic disciplines

June 2022

The planned amendments to the regulation of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of 20 September 2018 on scientific fields, disciplines and artistic disciplines provide for the inclusion of the following scientific disciplines in the classification:

• security engineering
• biotechnology
• international relations
• ethnology and anthropology
• heritage protection and conservation
• family studies
• biblical sciences
• veterinary science including the scientific discipline of veterinary medicine.

Government Representative for the Development and Internationalisation of Education and Research

May 2022

In May 2022, the Government appointed the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Education and Science as the Government Representative for the Development and Internationalisation of Education and Research (Regulation of the Council of Ministers of 27 April 2022 establishing the position of the Government Representative for the Development and Internationalisation of Education and Research / Rozporządzenie Rady Ministrów z dnia 27 kwietnia 2022 r. w sprawie ustanowienia Pełnomocnika Rządu ds. Rozwoju i Umiędzynarodowienia Edukacji i Nauki / which came into force on 3 May 2022). As part of his / her responsibilities, the Representative:

• coordinates measures for the development and maintenance of bilateral and multilateral research collaboration within the higher education and science system, including measures aimed at strengthening internationalisation of research;
• monitors and coordinates matters in the field of research related to Poland’s participation in international organisations and institutions;
• supports and coordinates measures promoting Polish science to build international relations and create the image of Poland as a country of high-quality research activities;
• undertakes activities fostering the development and internationalisation of education;
• reviews national legislation, mechanisms and measures related to international cooperation in the field of education, internationalisation of education and funding for international research cooperation, and identifies issues in these areas and makes proposals to address them;
• evaluates activities and makes proposals related to international research collaboration as part of programmes and projects supporting institutions of the higher education and science system.

In consultation with the Minister of Education and Science, the Representative presents his / her findings and proposals to the Government. (S)he may set up expert or advisory teams, commission studies and research, and – in consultation with the Minister and with the consent of the Prime Minister – submit draft documents for consideration by the Government.

The Representative performs his / her responsibilities in collaboration with government administration bodies, institutions within the school education and higher education and science systems, local government units, non-governmental organisations and other national and international institutions working in the fields of higher education and science and school education.

In solidarity with Ukraine

15 March 2022

The aim of the Programme is to enable Ukrainian refugees (arriving in Poland as of 24.02.2022) - Ukrainian students and doctoral students to continue their studies, work on their doctoral thesis or pursue any other form of education at Polish universities and institutes between March and September 2022. The programme is implemented by the National Agency for Academic Exchange on behalf of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Applications in the programme could be submitted by universities supervised by the Ministry of Education and Science or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the number of full-time students is at least 150, and institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences/Lukasiewicz network/research institutes. In their application, these entities declared the number of Ukrainian refugees they were ready to host, providing them with free opportunities to continue their studies, prepare their doctoral thesis, take language courses or any other form of education.

On 4 April 2022, the call was closed - applications for project funding were submitted by a total of 98 institutions - universities, institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences and research institutes (including six universities supervised by the Minister of Health). The total budget of the programme is PLN 25.7 million (the amount applied for is PLN 69.6 million). The submitted applications for support concerned 2129 students, 220 doctoral students, 3939 participants of other forms of education (a total of 6288 persons). Based on the declarations of the universities, the programme budget should allow for the education of 1947 persons.

Law on assistance to citizens of Ukraine in connection with the armed conflict on the territory of that country

12 March 2022

The Minister of Education and Science has proposed, within the scope of his jurisdiction, the introduction of a number of facilitations within the framework of the special law of 12 March 2022 on assistance to citizens of Ukraine in connection with the armed conflict on the territory of the country (Journal of Laws, item 583). The provisions conducted aim to facilitate the continuation and undertaking of studies by refugees from Ukraine by reducing administrative, legal and financial obstacles.

The Act contains, inter alia, the following solutions:

• The possibility for Ukrainian citizens to apply for a social grant and student loan, based on a statement of their family and financial situation. For them, the restrictions on the number of allowances that can be paid by the university will also be lifted.
• The possibility for Polish and Ukrainian citizens who were students at a university in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 and do not have documents certifying periods of study, examinations passed, passes or professional practice to continue their education.
• Universities may carry out proceedings on confirmation of graduation at a certain level with respect to, inter alia, citizens of Ukraine residing in the territory of the Republic of Poland whose stay in the territory of the Republic of Poland is recognised as legal or Polish citizens who entered the territory of the Republic of Poland directly from the territory of Ukraine in the period from 24 February 2022, who do not possess diplomas of graduation obtained abroad.
• The possibility for universities to amend their enrolment resolutions for studies starting in the second semester of the academic year 2021/2022 and in the academic year 2022/2023 and to exclude the application of the provisions of the Act - Law on Higher Education and Science to the amendments to study regulations introduced by 30 September 2022, to the extent necessary for the enrolment, by transfer from Ukrainian universities, of persons who, on 24 February 2022, had the status of a student of a university operating in the territory of Ukraine.
• Possibility for the rector to change the organisation of the academic year 2021/2022 as defined in the internal acts of the university. In the academic year 2021/2022, it will also be possible to hold full-time and part-time courses at the university together.

University for you – Університет для вас

28 February 2022

A set of measures taken by the minister responsible for higher education and science to ensure access to Polish higher education for students from Ukrainian universities, including:

• 28 February 2022 – the Ministry of Education and Science launched a helpline (22 52 92 662) and email address ukraina-studia@mein.gov.pl for PL citizens studying in Ukraine and incoming UA citizens
• 8 March 2022 - the Minister of Education and Science decided to allow the participation of Ukrainian citizens in internships within the framework of academic network scholarships, summer schools and intensive courses and freemover scholarships in the CEEPUS programme (Central European Exchange Programme for University Studies - the second largest scholarship programme in Europe after Erasmus+).
• 17 March 2022 - As part of the coordination activities regarding the provision of opportunities for Polish and Ukrainian students (so far studying at universities in Ukraine) to continue their studies, the Ministry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, has assigned all students who have declared such a desire to enrol in a Polish university. Information has been sent to the students concerned about their assignment to a specific university that will consider admitting them to study medicine or medicine-dentistry. All students who used the helpline were assisted.
• 17 March 2022 - information and recommendations of the Ministry of Education and Science for the  higher education and research institutions concerning measures for the benefit of Ukrainian and Polish citizens in connection with the war in Ukraine were issued
• 17 March 2022 - as part of the "PSRP Comfort Zone" project, the Parliament of Students of the Republic of Poland launched free psychological assistance for students from Ukraine. Professional psychological assistance is provided in Ukrainian. The project is implemented within the framework of a task commissioned by the Minister of Education and Science, hence psychological advice is free of charge.
• 30 March 2022 - an information chatbot was launched in Polish and Ukrainian concerning, among others, higher education and research. The tool provides information related to enrolment, material assistance for students or taking up employment at Polish universities or research institutes. The chatbot not only provides the most important information, but, via the links provided, allows users to be redirected to websites with information for Ukrainian citizens.
• On 5 May 2022, the University of Warsaw launched a nationwide online recruitment service for candidates from Ukraine. The service has been developed on the initiative of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland in order to make it easier for university candidates, students, doctoral students and employees of universities and research units from Ukraine to find out about the educational offer and opportunities for work or voluntary work at Polish universities and scientific institutes.

"Social responsibility of science" - Call for proposals

2 February 2022

The programme "Social Responsibility of Science" is an undertaking addressed to higher education and science institutions and other bodies acting for the benefit of science promotion. The programme consists of two modules: "Popularisation of science and promotion of sport" and "Support for scientific libraries".

The aim of the programme "Social responsibility of science" is popularization of science, promotion of academic sport and projects related to maintenance of library resources of significant importance to science or its heritage.

In order to participate in the programme, it is necessary to present a project which does not last longer than 24 months and its indirect costs do not exceed 10% of direct costs of project implementation. The project may also not include activities financed by other funds from the state budget.

Financial support under each module amounts to:

• "Popularisation of science and promotion of sport" - from PLN 20,000 to PLN 1,000,000,
• "Support for scientific libraries" - from PLN 20,000 to PLN 250,000, however, it cannot exceed 90% of the project implementation costs.

Pearls of science

4 January 2022

The objective of the programme is to support higher education and scientific institutions in creating conditions for the development of exceptionally talented graduates of first-cycle studies or students after the end of the third or fourth year of uniform Master's programmes by enabling them to conduct scientific research or artistic creativity under the guidance of a scientific or artistic tutor.

The programme was established on 31 December 2021, the first call for applications was open from 4 January to 18 February 2022.

2021

Science for Society Programme – nearly PLN 11 million for projects promoting science

26 November 2021

“@talentON – Programme for the Support and Development of Talented Youth”, “Polish Scientists 2022: Scientific Excellence, Research Autonomy and Social Responsibility of Science” or “Global Legal Information” are just some of the projects qualified for funding under the Minister of Education and Science’s “Science for Society” program.

“Science for Society” – support for projects disseminating science

Under the “Science for Society” program 15 projects submitted by 13 entities will receive funding. The total amount of funds allocated for this purpose will reach PLN 10.7 million.

Among the beneficiaries of the program are the Foundation of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, the Polish Historical Association, and the Stanisław Staszic University of Science and Technology in Kraków.

Participants in the Program who fulfilled specific requirements could count on receiving grants ranging from PLN 100 thousand to 2 million.

About the program

“Science for Society" program was announced in July 2021. Its aim is to support higher education and science system entities as well as other organizational units acting to promote science in the implementation of projects aimed at building cooperation between entities operating in the field of science and those working in the socio-economic sphere.

The program includes financial support for projects in three pillars:

• Scientific excellence - support for projects aimed at, among others, improving the quality of scientific research, undertaking new and important research topics for socio-economic development, internationalisation of Polish science, increasing its recognition and shaping its public perception;
• Science for innovation - support for projects increasing the effectiveness of cooperation between science and the business environment, supporting innovation and commercialisation of research and development results, disseminating knowledge on relations between science, innovation and economy;
• Humanities - Society - Identity - support for projects popularizing innovative and interdisciplinary research in the humanities, promoting patriotic attitudes, national and regional traditions, as well as studying the sources of Polish culture at home and abroad.

The call for applications under the program has been open since early August of this year and is ongoing.

Remedial programme for first-year students

5 October 2021

The Ministry of Education and Science has launched a support programme for universities that will organise remedial classes for students admitted to the first year of full-time first degree or uniform master's studies. The aim of the programme is to supplement or develop the level of knowledge of students admitted to the first year of full-time studies in the academic year 2021/2022, who, due to the SARS-CoV-2 virus outbreak, have been receiving their secondary school education remotely for the last 3 semesters.

The additional classes organised at the universities are also an opportunity to supplement knowledge in various subjects within the scope required for education in a particular field of study. The aim of the classes is also to eliminate possible differences in the preparation of the graduates for university.

Additional compensatory classes - not included in the study programme - will be carried out by public and non-public HEIs, which confirmed their readiness to join the student support programme and provided the Ministry of Education and Science with information on the estimated number of student groups for which they can organise such classes. Verification of the data provided by the HEIs will be carried out on the basis of data from the recruitment for the academic year 2021/2022 included in the reports, placed in the Integrated Information System on Higher Education and Science POL-on. Approximately 170 HEIs have declared their participation in the programme.

The classes should be organised in October-December 2021 in groups of 25 students, amounting to 30 lesson hours per group. It is also possible to organise them in one incomplete group - with a minimum of 15 students, in case the number of students registered for participation does not allow for the creation of a full group of 25. The method of organisation of these courses, the selection of subjects and the necessary programme contents are the responsibility of the universities carrying out this task.

The costs of conducting additional classes for students by the universities will be financed by the Ministry. Approximately PLN 36 million has been allocated for this purpose.

After the Ministry has verified the results of the recruitment for the academic year 2021/2022, the funds for additional classes will be transferred on the basis of the provisions of the Act of 20 July 2018. - Law on Higher Education and Science (Official Journal 2021, item 478, as amended) to public HEIs by increasing the amount of the subsidy, while to non-public HEIs on the basis of individual agreements concluded separately with each HEI.

Guidelines for the safe operation of higher education institutions and other higher education and scientific institutions during the pandemia

30 September 2021

In view of the return, in the academic year 2021/2022, to teaching on university premises, the Ministry of Education and Science, in consultation with representatives of the academic community and the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, has developed guidelines for the safe operation of universities and other entities of the higher education and science system during the pandemia.

The guidelines should be regarded as a set of recommendations, advice and suggestions, which should be applied taking into account the changing legal situation, local number of cases, dynamics of the epidemic, assessment of key risk factors and organisational and technical conditions of a given university.

The recommendations and guidelines should be the starting point for reviewing and possibly updating the internal procedures of each institution. Treating human safety as a priority, the adopted procedures should also take into account the responsibility for the proper and efficient functioning of the institutions and the fulfilment of their tasks. All decisions are taken by rectors or heads of institutes, as they are responsible for the safety of the bodies they manage.

The guidelines are not obligatory for higher education institutions and other entities of the higher education and science systems. They are also not the basis for claims to cover the costs of their implementation.

Full-time courses

In the academic year 2021/2022, the Ministry of Education and Science envisages, as a rule, a return to teaching at the premises of universities and, in the case of doctoral students, also at other entities providing this type of education.

As of 15 August 2021, the Regulation of the Minister of Education and Science of 10 August 2021 repealing the Regulation on temporary restrictions on the operation of certain entities of the system of higher education and science in connection with preventing, counteracting and combating COVID-19 entered into force (Official Journal, item 1464).

It is recommended that classes conducted with the direct participation of academic teachers or other instructors should be implemented with such safety measures as are feasible given the technical, organisational and infrastructural conditions of a given higher education institution, in order to maintain the possibility of implementing the study programme and achieving the assumed learning outcomes.

Organisation of work

Formal decisions concerning the operation of a higher education institution or other higher education and research institutions shall be taken by the rector or the director of the institution. They shall concern in particular:

• teaching and the conditions for the delivery of courses
• the development of emergency action plans and their updates
• the organisation of any community events/meetings.

Close cooperation with the student self-government and the doctoral student self-government is recommended, as they represent the opinions and interests of students and doctoral students both inside and outside the university. Involving representatives of the self-governments in current activities and enabling them to influence the decisions made may provide invaluable support for the authorities and contribute to better communication of the solutions introduced.

New website on the projects of the Minister of Education and Science has been launched

20 July 2021

Details of the programmes of the Ministry of Education and Science, descriptions, deadlines, lists and templates of necessary documents, announcements, guidelines and results - these and much more can be found on the new website dedicated to the undertakings of the Ministry of Education and Science.

The website programy.nauka.gov.pl is dedicated to the programmes of the Minister of Education and Science. It was created for students, scientists, public and non-public universities, research and scientific institutes, non-governmental organisations and organisational units promoting science.

The website is divided into thematic sections: ministerial programmes, undertakings and initiatives, competitions and results. The website also has separate tabs for different groups of recipients: a student, a young scientist, a researcher, a HEI/ an organisation/ other entities, thanks to which everyone interested will be able to find specific information for themselves.

Guidelines for HEIs on the organisation of the academic year 2021/2022

20 July 2021

In view of the current epidemic situation, the Ministry of Education and Science envisages in principle a return to the provision of education in universities at their premises in the academic year 2021/2022. Final decisions in this regard will take into account the dynamics of the COVID-19 outbreak and government decisions. In a situation of increased epidemic risk, hybrid education may be introduced, and in special cases, a return to distance education.

Abolition of temporary restrictions on the operation of universities

In mid-August it is planned to repeal the regulation on the temporary restriction of the operation of certain entities of the higher education and science system in connection with the prevention, counteraction and combating of COVID-19.

With the abolition of the temporary restriction on the operation of universities the following measures are introduced:

• reinstating the possibility of periodical appraisal of academic staff,
• maintaining the validity of student identity cards, doctoral student identity cards and staff identity cards for academic teachers - they remain valid during the period of restriction or suspension of the operation of a higher education institution, and 60 days after the end of that period. So if the regulation is repealed in mid-August, the cards will remain valid until mid-October. In the first half of October, card holders should visit the university in person to renew their cards.

Teaching courses prescribed in the study programmes using distance education methods and techniques

As regards the possibility of conducting classes provided for in the study programmes with the use of methods and techniques of distance education (Article 67, par. 4 of the Act - Law on Higher Education and Science directly provides for the possibility of obtaining some of the learning outcomes covered by the study programme during classes conducted with the use of methods and techniques of distance education).

These classes should be conducted using infrastructure and software ensuring synchronous and asynchronous interaction between students and instructors. It is important that the conduct of classes using distance learning methods and techniques may be implemented as long as the specific nature of education in a particular field of study allows it.

Academic Freedom Package

06 July 2021

The Council of Ministers adopted a draft amendment to the Law on Higher Education and Science, the so-called Academic Freedom Package.

The main objective of the Academic Freedom Package is to guarantee teachers freedom of teaching, freedom of speech, freedom of scientific research, publication of its results, and freedom of academic debate on the basis of pluralism of world views. The proposed legal changes strengthen respect for the constitutional right to freedom of expression of religious, philosophical and world-view beliefs in the academic field.

Key solutions

1. The rector will have the additional task of ensuring that freedom of teaching, freedom of expression, research and the publication of its results are respected in the university. This will also apply to academic debate organised by members of the community of the university, while respecting the principles of pluralism of world views and the rules of order of the university.
   • The rector will be able to fulfil this task by monitoring the respect for freedoms in the university, and in particular by introducing appropriate provisions in this respect in the internal acts of the university, defining "good practices" related to this issue, as well as taking specific actions in case of violation of these freedoms, within the scope of his/her competence.
   • The choice of instruments for this task will be made within the autonomy of the higher education institution.
2. A provision has been introduced whereby the expression of religious, philosophical or ideological beliefs by academic staff will not constitute a disciplinary offence.
3. A possibility of lodging a complaint against the decision of the rector to instruct the disciplinary ombudsman to start a case has been introduced. This complaint will be considered by the disciplinary committee at the Minister of Education and Science.
   • The possibility of lodging a complaint against the rector's decision will, however, be limited only to cases where the matter covered by the decision concerns the expression of religious, philosophical or ideological beliefs by an academic staff member.
   • The disciplinary ombudsman will not be able to commence proceedings until the time limit for lodging a complaint or reviewing the case by the disciplinary committee at the minister has expired without effect.
   • A decision of the disciplinary committee of the Minister may be appealed to the Court of Appeal in Warsaw - Labour and Social Security Court, but the consideration of the case by this court will no longer stop any action in the case.
4. The rector will no longer be able to suspend an academic staff member in the performance of their duties during the investigation of their case. Suspending an academic staff member at such an early stage of the case does not seem necessary and justified.

The new solutions are to enter into force 14 days after being announced in the Official Journal.

Science for Society

1 July 2021

The aim of the new Programme “Science for Society“ of the Minister of Education and Science is to support higher education and science system entities and other institutions acting for the benefit of science promotion. Funding in the amount of PLN 100 thousand to 2 million may be provided for projects that focus on cooperation of scientific institutions with non-governmental organisations, social organisations and the economic environment. The call for proposals for the programme will be open in August 2021 and will be carried out on a continuous basis.

The programme includes financial support for projects under three pillars:

• Scientific excellence - raising the quality of scientific research, undertaking new and important research topics for socio-economic development, internationalisation of Polish science, increasing its recognition and shaping its public perception
• Science for innovation - increasing the effectiveness of cooperation between science and the business environment, supporting innovation and commercialisation of research and development results;
• Humanities - Society - Identity - for projects popularising innovative and interdisciplinary research in the humanities, promoting patriotic attitudes, national and regional traditions, as well as studying the sources of Polish culture at home and abroad.

Practical academies - draft law adopted by the Council of Ministers

22 June 2021

The Council of Ministers adopted a bill amending the Act - Law on Higher Education and Science and the Act - Introduction of the Act - Law on Higher Education and Science, submitted by the Minister of Education and Science.

There will be a new category in the group of professional colleges (public and non-public) - "practical academies". The possibility of distinguishing vocational universities by introducing the words "practical academy" into their names will strengthen their position in the educational market and contribute to a positive perception in the socio-economic environment. In addition, these universities will also have the opportunity to become independent in the provision of studies preparing for the teaching profession.

Key Solutions

The words "practical academy" will be reserved for a vocational HEI that meets all of the following conditions:

• has been operating for at least 10 years
• the number of students enrolled in the institution is at least 250, of which at least 100 are full-time students
• at least 50% of academic staff are employed in the institution as the place of their primary employment;
• provides first-cycle or second-cycle programmes or long-cycle programmes in at least five fields of study
• provides education in at least one field of study preparing for the exercise of professions, in particular studies preparing for the exercise of medical profession, teaching profession, or a field of study leading to the degree of inżynier or magister inżynier
• none of the fields of study offered by the university has been assessed negatively as a result of the evaluation of the quality of education conducted by the Polish Accreditation Committee.

The criteria presented will serve to distinguish among vocational HEIs this group of universities, which is distinguished by its stability and position in the educational market.

Changing the name of the university to "practical academy" will not be mandatory. The initiative in this matter will be up to the authorities of the respective university.

Verification of the compliance of a non-university higher education institution with the conditions will be conducted on the basis of data included in the POL-on Integrated Information System for Higher Education and Science pursuant to the rules laid down in the Act.

Vocational universities that meet the statutory criteria will also have the opportunity to provide studies preparing for the teaching profession, without the need to have a cooperation agreement with a university that has a scientific category (after the first evaluation of the quality of scientific activity), and until 31 December 2022, which has the right to confer a doctoral degree - in the discipline to which the study programme is assigned. The exemption from the requirement that a vocational HEI has an agreement will not require it to change its name to "practical academy" as these are independent arrangements.

The new regulations will allow vocational HEIs that are distinguished by their well-established and stable position in the higher education and science system, as well as by the appropriate quality of their education, to become independent in the provision of studies preparing for the teaching profession.

The new solutions are to enter into force 14 days after their announcement in the Journal of Laws.

"Psychological Package" - recommendations for universities on how to help students

17 June 2021

Based on the information provided by universities on the support provided to students during the epidemic, the Ministry of Education and Science has developed the following recommendations for increasing psychological support.

Every student should be able to receive the following assistance at their university.

• Health-promoting information - the university should develop and make available to students a plan and description of the psychological support offered, including contact details of institutions/persons providing such support (e.g. an up-to-date list of municipal institutions).
• Information about the course of study - the university should develop and make available to students the means of applying for "non-standard" settlement of individual stages of the course of study, e.g. the procedure for applying for individual organisation of courses, conditions for obtaining leave from classes, increased limit of absences from classes, change of date and form of examination, extension of the credit period.
• Information on State Aid - providing students with up-to-date information on student grants, scholarships and loans.
• An organisational unit (e.g. a psychological counselling centre) or a team of people dedicated to counselling and helping students - such a unit (or team) could provide students with possible ways to overcome mental or emotional crises. This role - to a wider extent - can be fulfilled by the university's office for persons with disabilities.
• Psychological counseling - the university should provide students with the possibility of an individual meeting with a psychologist in person, or alternatively, online. If it is not possible to liaise directly with the relevant professional, the university should establish cooperation with a centre (company) offering psychological/psychiatric assistance. The university should ensure that assistance is provided without the student incurring the cost of the consultation.
• Cooperation with the students' council - activities in the field of psychological support for students should be undertaken in close cooperation with the students' council functioning at the university (student support groups). Promoting acceptance towards those seeking support (fostering de-stigmatisation).
• Workshops and trainings - increase in the number of trainings on prevention in the field of mental health, as well as workshops and trainings on soft skills, e.g. dealing with stress and conflict situations, the problem of procrastination, maintaining physical and mental well-being, the impact of the coronavirus epidemic on functioning in society (relations with the society).

The above recommendations were communicated to the Rectors of the supervised universities in a letter from the Minister of Education and Science dated 15 June 2021, in which the Minister asked to monitor the progress of the implementation of the Psychological Package in universities.

Accessibility plus (3rd edition)

1 March 2021

So far, two editions of the competition have already been held (in 2019 and 2020 respectively). In total, as a result of both editions, 121 grant agreements were signed for the amount of almost PLN 470 million. In 2021, additional 31 agreements are to be signed. The latest edition of the Support for students with autism spectrum disorders project, with a budget of PLN 1.7 million, includes activities implemented from 1 March 2021 to 30 April 2023. It is estimated that at least 80 universities will offer specific support to students with autism spectrum disorders.

New Regulation by the Minister of Education and Science on limiting activities by higher education institutions due to the pandemic

26 February 2021

Due to the prolonged pandemic between 27 February and 30 September 2021 functioning of HEIs and other institutions in charge of doctoral programmes is limited. Detailed measures are listed in the new regulation and apply mostly to online teaching.

New regulations on the functioning of higher education institutions and doctoral training providers during the pandemic

Reform status: approved, 29 January 2021

Since 26 January 2021, new regulations have been in force which contain specific solutions concerning the operation of higher education institutions and entities providing doctoral education in 2021 and the academic year 2020/2021 under conditions of an ongoing pandemic. The new regulations concern, among other things, the dimension of practical placements and recruitment to degree programmes.

The changes introduced concern, among others:

1. abolition of the minimum dimension of practical placements at degree programmes with a practical profile (amounting to 6 months or 3 months - depending on the level of study) and empowering the university senate to make changes to curricula,
2. the harmonization of the regulations concerning the training of doctoral students with the regulations concerning the operation of a higher education institution, by introducing the possibility of a temporary limitation of the training of doctoral students,
3. the validity of the doctoral student ID card. It should be maintained also during the period of temporary limitations in doctoral education and 60 days after the end of such limitations,
4. an increase in the number of members of the Polish Accreditation Committee from no more than 90 to no more than 100.

In addition, the changes have been introduced that:

1. make it possible for HEIs to amend their admission resolutions concerning enrolment for programmes starting in the second semester of the academic year 2020/2021 and in the academic year 2021/2022,
2. enable public higher education institutions to amend their admission rules to degree programmes starting in the second semester of the academic year 2020/2021 and in the academic year 2021/2022 for the winners and finalists of central-level national subject competitions and the winners of international and national competitions,
3. allow admission to second-cycle programmes commencing in the second semester of the academic year 2020/2021 and in the academic year 2021/2022 for students who present a certificate of completion of studies instead of a diploma,
4. provide specific rules for amending the regulations of the degree programmes by 30 September 2021 (by removing the requirement that amendments to the regulations be adopted at least five months before the commencement of the academic year and come into effect at the beginning of the academic year, introducing a ten-day deadline for agreeing amendments to the regulations with the student self-government, as well as a simple majority of the statutory membership of the senate when adopting a new resolution if the regulations have not been agreed upon with the student self-government),
5. empower the rector to change the organisation of the 2020/2021 academic year as defined in the internal acts of the higher education institution,
6. enable the body running the institution to change the rules of admissions to doctoral schools for doctoral training commencing in 2021.

Legal basis

Act of 21 January 2021 on amending the Act on specific solutions related to preventing, counteracting and combating COVID-19, other infectious diseases and crisis situations caused by them and some other acts.

Over PLN 55 million support for higher education institutions for online teaching

Reform status: approved, 30 December 2020

PLN 55.3 million will be granted for the purchase of tools for online teaching to all public higher education institutions supervised by the Ministry of Education and Science and non-public HEIs financed under the rules of public HEIs. The purpose of increasing the amount of subsidies is to support higher education institutions and academic teachers in providing remote education.

The amount of funding for individual institutions has been determined based on the average number of academic teachers (per FTE) employed in each institution in 2019.

What purpose can the funds be used for?

The funds from the subsidy increase can be used to purchase remote teaching tools used centrally at the HEI level (e.g. IT platform for online classes), as well as to purchase tools to facilitate online teaching by academic staff (e.g. webcams, laptops, tablets, etc.).

The final allocation of funds will be decided by the HEIs authorities - they know best the current needs of the university. It is important that the equipment, which will remain the property of the institution, can be made available to its staff in order to improve online education.

https://www.gov.pl/web/edukacja-i-nauka/ponad-55-mln-zl-wsparcia-dla-uczelni-na-nauczanie-zdalne