We warmly invite you to participate in the conference “Cooperation Without Borders – Building the Regional NAWA–EURAXESS Network”, which will take place on 25–26 March 2026 in the UG Main Library, Wita Stwosza 53, 80-308, in Gdańsk.
The conference will be held in Polish.
The conference is a key event implemented within the project
MOSAiC – Mobility, Academic Synergy and Capacity-Building Initiative of the Fahrenheit Universities Association in Gdańsk, carried out under the EURAXESS Initiative.
Its main objective is to exchange experiences and to build a strong regional cooperation network between academic institutions, local and regional authorities, and organisations supporting researchers in the areas of internationalisation, academic mobility, and research capacity development.
In the face of dynamic changes taking place in higher education and research, internationalisation is increasingly shifting from a quantitative to a qualitative perspective. Challenges related to researcher mobility, equality and inclusion, new research evaluation frameworks, the development of HR policies, and the creation of a welcoming environment for international researchers, students, and doctoral candidates require coordinated action and cooperation at the regional level.
The conference in Gdańsk will provide a space for joint reflection on how to respond effectively to these challenges.
Programme
The programme will include five panel discussions devoted to key areas of internationalisation:
- “European Universities as Networks of Cooperation”
- “From Logo to a Culture of Change: HR Excellence in Research in University Practice”
- “Equality, Inclusion and Diversity Management in Research”
- “Welcome Culture”
- “Students and Doctoral Candidates in Building Democratic and Inclusive Universities – Good Practices and Challenges”
The panel discussions will be complemented by a strategic workshop, aimed at developing a shared vision and future directions for the regional EURAXESS network in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, as well as strengthening synergy between universities, local governments, and institutions supporting the academic community.
Who is the conference for?
The conference is addressed to a broad audience involved in the internationalisation of higher education and research. In particular, we invite:
- representatives of universities, higher education institutions and research organisations,
- representatives of public administration and non-governmental organisations,
- staff working in international cooperation and international relations offices,
- HR professionals and academic staff development units (including HRS4R),
- international promotion and communication teams,
- staff of Welcome Points / Welcome Centres and support centres for international researchers and students,
- all those interested in international cooperation, academic mobility, equality and inclusion in research and higher education.
Registration
Registration link: https://forms.office.com/e/7T5cqCe7sc
Speakers
Anna Jurkowska-Zeidler
lawyer, professor at the University of Gdańsk, Vice-Rector for Cooperation and Internationalization at the University of Gdańsk, and Vice-Rector of the European University of the Seas (SEA-EU). She is the Chair of the University Internationalization Committee of the Conference of Rectors of Polish Universities.
Natasza Kosakowska-Berezecka
is a cross-cultural psychologist and expert in equality and diversity, working at the University of Gdańsk. She conducts international research on the perception of women and men in various social roles. She was the project leader for the Towards Gender Harmony project, in which, together with over 100 researchers from six continents, she examined the attitudes of students from 60 countries towards contemporary understandings of femininity, masculinity, and gender equality. She currently directs the Masculinity Navigator project, dedicated to masculinity norms and men’s well-being, conducted among adolescents and adults in Poland and Norway. Together with her team, she conducted analyses of so-called hidden profiles of attitudes towards equality, covering over 600 boys in Poland and over 200 in Norway.
Julia Łaska
A second-degree student of economics with a specialization in logistics at the University of Gdańsk, she is also president of the Logistics Research Club. In her work, she combines theory with practice, creating initiatives that foster collaboration, integration, and active student participation in university life. By nature, she can’t sit still and thrives in places where there’s always something going on.
Bogumiła Szymendera
A representative of the MUG Student Government, she actively works to ensure the quality of education and projects. She consistently ensures that students’ voices are heard in every important discussion, believing that genuine dialogue is the foundation of a democratic and open university.
Katarzyna Bruder
is the Head of the European University Alliance (ACE2-EU) Office at the Medical University of Gdańsk. She specializes in building international teams in higher education, managing strategic projects, and developing HR. She has over 15 years of leadership experience in international project management, including currently being responsible for implementing the ACE2-EU Alliance at the Medical University of Gdańsk. Previously, at the Gdańsk University of Technology, she led initiatives within the ENHANCE+ alliance. Her expertise includes building career development systems, optimizing HR processes, and coordinating collaboration between multiple stakeholders in the academic community. Katarzyna holds a degree in English Philology and postgraduate degrees in HRBP, project management, educational management, and EU translation. She combines strategic thinking with a practical, operational approach focused on achieving results. Her passion is creating innovative solutions that support academic communities and strengthen international cooperation in higher education.
Arnold Kłonczyński
Historian, PhD, professor at the University of Gdańsk. Specialist in the history of Sweden in the 20th century, Polish-Swedish relations, and the history of the Polish diaspora in Scandinavia in the 20th century, as well as the history of education, the history of higher education institutions in Pomerania, and history teaching. Author of scholarly publications, including three monographs and several co-edited books. From 2012 to 2016, he served as Vice-Dean for Students and Education at the Faculty of History at the University of Gdańsk. From 2016 to 2024, he served as Vice-Rector for Students and Education Quality at the University of Gdańsk. From 2024, he has served as Director of the University of Gdańsk Library.
Marlena Rutkowska-Myzyk
A specialist in international project management and the strategic development of academic partnerships. She has been associated with the University of Gdańsk for over six years, where she co-created and led the prestigious SEA-EU (European University of the Seas) project from the ground up. She has practical experience in planning and coordinating educational and research initiatives in a multicultural environment. She holds an MBA, which allows her to effectively combine modern business standards with the dynamics of the science and higher education sector.
Wojciech Karczewski
Director of the National Agency for Academic Exchange
He holds a PhD in social sciences in management and quality. He earned his degree from the Faculty of Management at the University of Warsaw. He also completed postgraduate studies in IT Resource Management at the Warsaw University of Technology. During his studies, he worked at the Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE), where he was involved in a program supporting the development of international cooperation among Polish primary and secondary schools. For 18 years, he has managed international cooperation initiatives. He has held management positions in large corporations such as EY, Orange, and PWC, where he was responsible for projects for the UK, European, and Middle Eastern markets, among others. From 2020 to 2023, he served as Director of the International Cooperation Office and Rector’s Plenipotentiary for International Cooperation at SWPS University. During this time, SWPS became the first Polish private university to join the European Universities Initiative, which led to SWPS becoming a member of the European Reform University Alliance. From 2022 to 2024, a member of the board of the international organization EUPHE (European Union of Private Higher Education).
Monika Zaremba
An expert at the National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) and coordinator of the EURAXESS Poland network. For 15 years, she has specialized in supporting foreign scientists in relocation processes to Poland, with particular emphasis on visa procedures and residence legalization. She advises Polish institutions on the effective implementation of the European HR Excellence in Research strategy. Her professional activities and interests focus on international migration, researcher mobility, and building professional standards for international staff services in the Polish science and higher education sector.
Olga Hofman
Head of the Excellence Initiative – Research University Program Management Department at the Medical University of Gdańsk and head of the implementation team for HR Excellence in Research certification. She is involved in the development of strategic quality-oriented projects in higher education, with particular emphasis on supporting scientific excellence and human resources management in science.
Grzegorz Robak
Director of the Center for International Cooperation at Warsaw University of Technology. An expert in the internationalization of higher education with extensive experience in developing strategic international cooperation between universities. Co-author of two applications funded by the European Commission’s “European Universities” program. Core Officer of Warsaw University of Technology in the ENHANCE consortium. Actively involved in developing cooperation with Ukrainian universities, particularly in the NAWA program “Solidarity with Ukraine – European Universities.” He has extensive experience in public administration at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (including the “Top 500 Innovators,” “Foreign Accreditations,” and “Masters of Teaching” programs), as well as in global corporations in the field of talent management and international publishing houses in the field of marketing.
Sebastian Barczak
A PhD student at the Doctoral School at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Gdańsk. Chairman of the Doctoral Council of the University of Gdańsk, former Chairman of the Doctoral Forum of Polish Universities, and member of the Board of the National Representation of Doctoral Students. For years, he has been involved in the activities of the doctoral student self-government at the university and national levels, including representing the doctoral community and organizing scientific and social events. A Shift Leader at an international company that is a European leader in the urban mobility sector.
Łukasz Bień
Director of the University of Gdańsk’s Center for Student and Doctoral Activities. His research focuses on the subjectivity of students and doctoral candidates from a historical and systemic perspective, as well as on organizing academic spaces.
Kacper Wiśniewski
Head of the Student and Doctoral Student Support Office at the University of Gdańsk, involved in developing initiatives that support the academic community. He has extensive experience organizing student projects and events, including the Gdańsk Juwenalia Festival. His work focuses on fostering dialogue between students, doctoral students, and the university administration.
Małgorzata Chromy
She serves as Director of the Center for International Cooperation at the Warsaw School of Economics. For over 20 years, she has been involved in the development of university internationalization, including student and staff mobility, collaboration with partner universities, and management of international projects, including the Erasmus+ program. Since 2022, she has also been involved in the activities of the CIVICA – The European University of Social Sciences alliance, as the CIVICA Manager at the Warsaw School of Economics, responsible for, among other things, the development of academic mobility and building engagement within the alliance’s student community.
Aleksandra Ławniczak
A third-year PhD student in Materials Science and Engineering at Gdańsk University of Technology. She has been involved in the PhD student self-government since 2023. Since March 2025, she has served as Chairwoman of the Gdańsk University of Technology’s PhD Student Self-Government, and at the beginning of the year, she became a member of the Audit Committee of the National PhD Student Representation. As part of her PhD, she is focusing on a group of polyurethane materials that exhibit phase transitions enabling thermal energy storage.
Filip Czenske
Deputy Chair of the SSPG for Teaching and Education Quality and a student representative in this area. Engages in activities promoting dialogue and shared responsibility in the academic community and building awareness of the importance of quality education.
Marta Zatorska
A psychologist by training, she develops her professional skills by combining theoretical knowledge with practical support for individuals with migration experience. She worked in public administration for 16 years, including at the Pomeranian Voivodeship Office, where she was responsible for processes related to the legalization of migrants’ stay. Currently, she serves as the head of the migration policy department at the Pomeranian Voivodeship Marshal’s Office, where she coordinates regional integration efforts and implements the “Pomeranian WELCOME Center” project. She is a member of the Pomeranian Voivodeship Team for Combating Human Trafficking and the Pomeranian Council for Regional Migration Policy.
Kathrine Vangen
works as International Senior Adviser at Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Kathrine has established NTNU EURAXESS Service Center, a long-standing Center now including more than 6 full-time positions. She also worked for the Research Council of Norway (RCN). Kathrine has her background from HR and Organizational Development for The Norwegian Directorate of Labor where she also worked with career development. Kathrine has European-level experience through various positions, projects and organizations within Higher Education. Kathrine lived abroad for several years and has an educational background in the fields of Political Science and Economics.
Paweł Antonowicz
Vice-Rector for Development and Finance of the University of Gdańsk, economist, specialist in strategic management, economic and financial analysis and forecasting of corporate bankruptcy, employee of the Department of Strategic Development and Quality Sciences of the Faculty of Management of the University of Gdańsk.
Ewa Łojkowska
Biotechnologist and professor at the University of Gdańsk. Since 1993, she has been employed at the Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Gdańsk and the Medical University of Gdańsk (MWB UG and MUG). She obtained the title of professor in biological sciences in 2001. From 2005 to 2012, she served as Dean of the IWB UG and MUG. She completed research internships at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA (1986-1988) and the Institute National des Sciences Appliques, Lyon, France (1991-1993). From 2001 to 2015, she lectured on plant biotechnology at the University of Perugia, Italy.
She is a specialist in the molecular factors determining the pathogenicity of bacterial plant pathogens. Her team’s research covers issues related to the biodiversity of plant pathogens, the molecular basis of plant immunity, and molecular taxonomy. She is the co-author of approximately 200 publications. She has supervised 23 PhDs in biotechnology in the natural and physical sciences.
She is interested in issues related to gender equality, diversity, and inclusivity in science, and in promoting talented young female researchers. She promotes research that takes gender into account in the design and interpretation of research results; she values the diverse composition of the research team.
She has served as Chair of the Biotechnology Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences since 2020, Chair of the L’Oréal-UNESCO Jury for Women in Science since 2005, and Chair of the Senate Committee for Social Responsibility of the University of Gdańsk since 2019. She has served as President of the Fahrenheit University Women’s Club since 2023. An expert on the Scientific Council of the Gdynia University of Technology, she was appointed by the Mayor of Gdynia on August 5, 2005, to evaluate projects in the fields of biotechnology and life science. European Commission expert in the Re-Imagine Europa programme: Task Force on “Sustainable Agriculture and Innovation” since 2021.
Ewa Kiszka
Rector’s Representative for Internationalization Support and External Relations at the Medical University of Gdańsk, former long-time head of the University’s Internationalization Office.
Winner of the Marketing Star award in the 2018 Internationalization Stars competition organized by the Perspektywy Educational Foundation.
Chairwoman of the International Cooperation Offices Forum (IROs Forum) for the 2012 and 2023-2024 terms, member of the Steering Committee. Member of:
– Advisory Team for Activities to Promote Polish Science and Higher Education Abroad, Ministry of Science and Higher Education
– Team for the Strategy for Internationalization of Higher Education and Science, Ministry of Science and Higher Education/NAWA
– Team for the Assessment of Applications in the Area of Internationalization, NAWA
– Board of the Fahrenheit University Women’s Club Association
– European Association for International Education (EAIE), IROs Forum Network, PR and Promotion of Polish Universities Association “PRom”, Academic Administration Forum Association
Specializes in issues related to the internationalization of universities, marketing and promotion abroad, and improving the competences of academic communities as part of the so-called “internationalization at home” initiative. Author and co-creator of numerous events and campaigns aimed at improving the intercultural competences of the University community and supporting and integrating the foreign part of the MUG community, including the “Culture of Respect” campaign, the Year of Communication and Integration of the MUG Community, and the “Different and Equal” campaign.
Katarzyna Świerk
PhD in Management and Quality Sciences (2025), PhD in Chemical Sciences (2007), MBA graduate (2018), and certified EU auditor for HR Excellence in Research and Horizon 2020/Europe programs. Since 2006, she has been associated with the University of Gdańsk, where she held managerial and strategic positions in education, research development, and internationalization. Currently, she serves as Director of the University of Gdańsk’s Office of Science and the Representative for Open Access to Scientific Publications. She coordinates the university’s activities within HRS4R and COARA, and is responsible for scientific evaluation, publication strategies, research career development, and international cooperation.
An expert in higher education, she has been conducting analyses, consultations, and training for academic institutions for years, including in collaboration with the Institute for the Development of Higher Education. She is the author and co-author of publications in the fields of chemistry and science management. Winner of the “Star of Internationalization 2023” award in the “Development” category, awarded by the Perspektywy Foundation.
Justyna Lubośna
Professor Gdańsk University of Technology has long been committed to improving the quality of education and research through the internationalization of higher education institutions in Poland and Europe. At Gdańsk University of Technology, she serves as Chair of the Rector’s Committee for Internationalization, the Rector’s Plenipotentiary for International Educational Projects, and coordinator of numerous international joint degree programs. She represents the Ministry of Science and Higher Education on the Government Population Council. She is a member of the Steering Committee of the ENHANCE alliance of European universities, which brings together 10 leading technical universities in Europe. As co-leader of the Human Dimension package and Education Officer of the ENHANCE alliance, she is responsible for, among other things, developing career paths for university staff and innovative educational offerings. She supports the development of the European Higher Education Area and the European Science Area as a member of the CESAER Board of Directors and co-chair of the European Higher Education Task Force.
Małgorzata Omilian-Mucharska
Editor-in-Chief of the university monthly “Gazeta GUMed,” Managing Editor of the scientific journal “European Journal of Translational and Clinical Medicine,” and Publishing House Manager; with over 20 years of experience at the Medical University of Gdańsk. A graduate of the University of Gdańsk, majoring in Polish Philology, and the WSB University in Gdańsk, majoring in Computer Graphics and Multimedia.
Monika Czerepak
She works at the Gdańsk University of Technology, where she has been involved in the internationalization of the university and the development of services supporting foreign students and researchers. Her experience includes recruiting international students, recognizing foreign qualifications, and developing solutions that facilitate the acceptance and integration of the international academic community.
Mohammad Hossein Ghaemi
He is an employee of the Faculty of Mechanical and Ship Engineering at the Gdańsk University of Technology. His research interests include decarbonization of shipping, ship control systems, ship propulsion systems, modeling and simulation, and energy-related issues. He also serves as the Equal Treatment Ombudsman.
Małgorzata Grzelewska
Deputy Chancellor of the Jagiellonian University for General Affairs. Chair of the Working Group for the Implementation of the European Charter for Researchers at the Jagiellonian University. For many years, she served as an expert in project evaluation in the areas of international cooperation and higher education. She has managed international projects and cooperation networks. She is a scholarship recipient of the Transatlantic Leadership Building Programme, funded by the German Marshall Fund.
Olga Pliszczyńska-Mokijewska
Director of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS) Center for International Cooperation
Her PhD in social sciences, a graduate of international relations, postgraduate studies in HR, and an MBA. Since 2016, she has been involved in the internationalization of higher education, a scholarship recipient of the ERA Fellowship Program for science managers, and is experienced in coordinating and managing international projects, including those with Erasmus Plus, Horizon 2020, the European Social Fund, and the National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA). She is the coordinator of the International Staff Welcome Points expert group within the IROS Forum network and a member of the IROS European University ATHENA.
Karolina Nawrocka-Mucha
The Project Manager for University Relations at Invest in Pomerania is responsible for initiating collaboration between universities and businesses, building partnerships that foster innovation, and connecting the academic community with business practice. She is responsible for creating and coordinating joint educational and business initiatives that support the development of future specialists’ competencies and strengthen the relationship between science and the labor market.
Michał Bystram
He holds a Master’s degree in Public Health and Clinical Research and is a PhD student at the Department and Clinic of Oncological, Transplant, and General Surgery at the Medical University of Gdańsk. He is also the Vice-Chairman of the Medical University of Gdańsk Doctoral Student Government Council.
He has experience representing the doctoral student community at the university level and working at the intersection of science and management in healthcare. He actively participates in initiatives related to the development of academic dialogue, inclusive models of collaboration, and strengthening the participation of students and doctoral students in university decision-making processes.
Edyta Lachowicz-Santos
Director of the Internationalization Office, University of Economics in Katowice
Member of the Board of the European Association for International Education (EAIE)
She has been actively working for many years to strengthen the position of Polish universities as reliable and professional partners in the international arena. At the University of Economics in Katowice, she is responsible for planning and implementing internationalization processes, including the development of international partnerships and obtaining prestigious accreditations. She serves as the Institutional Coordinator of the Bauhaus4EU European University.
Since September 2024, she has been the first Polish woman to serve on the Board of the European Association for International Education (EAIE), one of the key European organizations setting directions for the development of internationalization in higher education. Since 2018, she has also collaborated with the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange as an expert on internationalization. In 2025, she was awarded the Management Star 2025 award.
Kinga Nekanda-Trepka
HR Excellence in Research and Research Impact Specialist at Kozminski University. She is responsible for coordinating activities related to aligning the Academy’s internal regulations and procedures with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers. She supports the implementation of the HRS4R strategy and activities within the COARA coalition aimed at reforming the system for assessing scientific activity in accordance with the principles of qualitative and balanced evaluation. She also monitors the impact of scientific research conducted at the Academy on society and the economy.
Małgorzata Kołtoniak
A specialist associated with the Medical University of Gdańsk (MUG), she is involved in activities promoting the internationalization of the university and supporting international students and staff. She coordinates services for foreigners, co-creating and developing initiatives such as the Welcome Point. Among other things, she provides advice on legalizing stay, adapting to life in Poland, and organizing integration and information activities for the international community. She actively participates in projects supporting academic mobility and building a friendly environment for students from various countries, contributing to the development of the university’s international character.
Urszula Patocka-Sigłowy
A linguist and Russian studies scholar affiliated with the University of Gdańsk. She serves as Vice-Rector for Student Affairs for the 2024–2028 term and previously served as Dean of the Faculty of Philology. She specializes in research on political communication, particularly the analysis of Russian discourse, the image of Russia and its politicians in the media, and translation and intercultural communication. She is the author of numerous scholarly publications, including the monograph “Political Communication in Russia: The Specificity of Presidential Discourse” (2019), and co-editor of numerous collective works in the field of linguistics and cultural studies. She actively participates in academic life as a member of Senate committees and program councils and belongs to scholarly societies related to social communication and Russian studies.