Arqus conference at the University of Graz
From 3 to 5 April, our university team involved in the activities of the Arqus Alliance of European Universities participated in a conference organised by one of the Arqus member universities, the University of Graz in Austria. The conference in Graz was an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences, share progress in different fields of action for Arqus, strengthen the bonds of cooperation between universities from Padua, Granada, Vilnius, Minho, Leipzig, Lyon, Maynooth, Graz and Wrocław.
Participants were welcomed by the Rector of the University of Graz, Peter Riedler, a member of the Graz City Council, Christian Kozina-Voit, and the Austrian Federal Minister for Education, Science and Research, Martin Polaschek.
The opening plenary session of the Arqus Conference at the University of Graz on human rights, on the occasion of this year’s 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, was chaired by the Vice-Rector of UWr, prof. Patrycja Matusz. The speakers on this panel were Myroslava Antonovich, National University of Kiyv-Mohyla, Sjur Bergan, Former Council of Europe, Lisa Heschl University of Graz2. The Rector of the University of Wroclaw, prof. Robert Olkiewicz, was also present in Graz and met with the rectors of Arqus member universities.
Arqus Chief Coordinator Ms Dorothy Kelly emphasised in a few words the great importance of meetings such as those at the Graz conference: “The Arqus annual conference is an excellent opportunity to continue building community for optimal progress towards true integration of our universities. It is the ideal place to look more directly at the goals and needs of our Alliance, while discussing from a broader perspective how to tackle the great challenges of our time together in Europe and the world. This year’s theme, the promotion of human rights, is particularly relevant in the context of conflicts and wars on our continent and the crisis of many European values such as democracy and respect for diversity. I am pleased to count on the participation of representatives of the highest political authorities in the field of education in Austria, as well as some members of the Arqus International Advisory Board, whose contributions to the discussions at the conference will certainly be of great added value. I am particularly looking forward to sharing the progress made in the new phase of Arqus and jointly designing the immediate future of the Arqus Alliance with our wonderful community of students, academics, professionals and stakeholders.”
The conference at the University of Graz was attended by academic and administrative staff from the University of Wroclaw working in Arqus working groups: dr Kamila Kamińska (Workpackage 03 – Arqus Communities of practice), prof. Tomasz Greczyło (WP05 – Arqus Teaching Innovation), Maciej Kamiński (WP08 – Linking Local Ecosystems, Urszula Broda (WP09 – Arqus on the Move), prof. Magdalena Ratajczak (WP10 – Arqus Inclusion and Diversity Hub), dr Piotr Malak (WP12 – Digital Arqus), Dominika Buczkowska (WP13 – Arqus Talent and Innovation Fund), Agata Mitek (WP15 – Impact and dissemination), dr Tomasz Wysłobocki (WP11 – Arqus Plurilingual and Intercultural Hub), dr hab. Piotr Sula (WP07 – Arqus PHD Pursuit), prof. Zuzanna Drulis-Kawa, Eirni Aivaliotou (WP04 – Arqus Student Agora), Emilia Wilanowska (Arqus Officer).
