Kortowiada 2026: Four Days of Music, Tradition and Student Spirit
The 65th edition of Kortowiada, the University of Warmia and Mazury’s iconic student festival, once again transformed the Kortowo campus into one of Poland’s most vibrant festival destinations. For four days, thousands of students, alumni and visitors celebrated university life through music, sports, culture and community events, continuing a tradition that has defined student life in Olsztyn for more than six decades. The festivities officially began with the colourful Faculty Parade, as students marched through the streets of Olsztyn in imaginative costumes before symbolically taking over the city and the university. Following the ceremonial handover of the keys to the Student Government, the campus came alive with concerts, competitions, outdoor activities and countless opportunities to connect with the academic community. Music remained the heart of the festival. More than 20 concerts took place across two stages on the picturesque Kortowo lakeside, featuring artists representing multiple generations and musical genres. The programme included legendary performers such as Maryla Rodowicz alongside popular contemporary acts including Enej, Wilki, Afromental, PRO8L3M, Żabson, Kuban, and many others. Emerging artists selected through the KortoFest competition also had the opportunity to perform in front of thousands of festival-goers, highlighting Kortowiada’s commitment to supporting young musical talent. Beyond the concerts, Kortowiada offered an extensive programme of student traditions and new experiences. Visitors could enjoy sporting competitions, the famous Faculty Challenge, volleyball matches between students and university staff, strength contests, outdoor cinema, board game festivals, silent discos, karaoke, interactive university activities and dedicated relaxation zones. Several events introduced fresh formats while preserving the unique atmosphere that has made Kortowiada one of Poland’s best-known student festivals. This year’s edition also expanded beyond the university campus, bringing selected attractions to Olsztyn’s historic city centre and strengthening the connection between the university and the local community. Combining academic traditions, live entertainment and student creativity, Kortowiada 2026 once again demonstrated why it remains one of the largest and most recognisable university festivals in Poland.
University Strengthens Ties with Tourism Sector in Lisbon
The Universidade Europeia recently welcomed Carla Salsinha, President of the Lisbon Regional Tourism Authority, for a meeting dedicated to exploring the challenges and opportunities shaping tourism in the Lisbon region. The session reinforced the institution’s commitment to fostering strong connections between academia and the tourism industry. In her opening remarks, the Rector of Universidade Europeia highlighted the importance of such partnerships as a reflection of the university’s teaching model—one that closely integrates theoretical knowledge with practical application. She emphasized tourism’s strategic role as Portugal’s leading economic sector and underscored the critical contribution of younger generations in driving innovation and anticipating emerging trends in an ever-evolving global landscape. The Rector also reaffirmed the university’s willingness to collaborate closely with industry stakeholders, bringing real-world challenges into the classroom and encouraging students to develop practical, forward-thinking solutions. Carla Salsinha, in turn, addressed the key challenges facing the Lisbon tourism region, which encompasses 18 municipalities. She noted that approximately 86% of tourism activity is concentrated in just four municipalities, highlighting the urgent need for strategies that promote a more balanced distribution of visitors. Such an approach, she stressed, is essential to generating value and fostering territorial cohesion across the wider region. She further emphasized tourism’s role as a powerful driver of regional development and described it as an “industry of peace and understanding.” Salsinha advocated for the reinvention of tourism practices to ensure they are both sustainable and inclusive. The session also featured the presentation of a conceptual proposal for Tourism Awards tailored to the Lisbon Regional Tourism Authority. The event was further enriched by the participation of renowned chef Júlio Fernandes, adding a culinary dimension to the discussion. This initiative reflects Universidade Europeia’s ongoing dedication to bridging academic excellence with industry relevance, while contributing to a more sustainable and innovative future for tourism in Portugal. Universidade Europeia reforça ligação ao setor do turismo com Entidade Regional de Turismo
1,000 kilometers on one kilowatt-hour: Team Schluckspecht presents the “S8”
After two years of intensive development work, the student team “Schluckspecht” has presented Hochschule Offenburg’s new energy-efficient vehicle. With the prototype, the students are aiming for a new long-distance record. At the ceremonial roll-out of the “S8” in front of around 150 guests, the technical milestones of the new prototype were on full display. The most striking innovation: The front wheels are once again fully integrated into the body. Flow simulations had previously shown that this provides significant aerodynamic advantages when cornering and in crosswinds. Around 1,000 hours of work went into the lighter and stiffer CFRP body alone, whose elegant carbon weave shimmers blue at the rear. In addition, the interdisciplinary team optimized the chassis digitally and using industrial methods to maximize quality in every detail—from straight-line stability to driver feedback. At the end of June, the S8 will compete alongside the established “S5 Urban Concept” at the Shell Eco-marathon in Poland. The goal for both vehicles is to qualify for the World Drivers Championship in Qatar. More information (in German): https://www.hs-offenburg.de/hochschule/news/artikel/1000-kilometer-mit-einer-kilowattstunde-sind-das-ziel
Olsztyn LOVE Science: A Celebration of Curiosity
The first edition of Olsztyn LOVE Science brought together families, researchers, students, and science enthusiasts for a day of discovery, creativity, and fun at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. Organised by Kortosfera – the Centre for Science and Innovation, the open-air science festival featured hands-on experiments, interactive workshops, educational activities, live demonstrations, and concerts, proving that science can be engaging, accessible, and inspiring for everyone. Designed to connect academia with the wider community, the event encouraged visitors of all ages to explore the world of science through play, curiosity, and direct interaction with researchers. Following the success of its inaugural edition, Olsztyn LOVE Science is set to become a recurring celebration of science and innovation in the region.
LBTU to Celebrate Graduates in June
June is graduation month at the Latvian University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU), when students, having successfully completed their examinations and defended their final theses, gather in the LBTU Great Hall (Aula) to receive their higher education diplomas. This summer, diplomas were awarded to 700 graduates, including 60 international students. An additional 40 graduates received Diplomas of Excellence, acknowledging their outstanding academic achievements and commitment during their studies. In total, during the 2025/2026 academic year, 816 graduates will receive higher education diplomas from LBTU. At the winter graduation ceremonies held in January, 116 graduates, including 25 international students, received their diplomas, while 16 graduates were awarded Excellence Diplomas. Number of Graduates by Faculty• Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies (FEIT) – 171 graduates, including 11 international students;• Faculty of Agriculture and Food Technology (FAFT) – 131 graduates, including 14 international students;• Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences (FFES) – 184 graduates, including 3 international students;• Faculty of Economics and Social Development (FESD) – 154 graduates, including 16 international students;• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FVM) – 61 graduates, including 16 international students.
Universidad Europea de Valencia is hosting the ninth edition of ISCBE 2026
The event, organised by the South East European University and forming part of the ChallengeEU alliance, of which UEV is a member, brings together experts to analyse innovation, entrepreneurship and digital competitiveness On 11 and 12 June, Universidad Europea de Valencia hosted the ninth edition of the International Scientific Conference on Business and Economics (ISCBE 2026), an international conference organised by the South East European University, which brought together researchers and professionals to discuss the main challenges facing future-ready economies. Under the theme “Future-Ready Economies: Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Digital Competitiveness”, the event transformed the Turia Campus of Universidad Europea de Valencia into an international hub for innovation, digitalisation and sustainable economic development. The official opening ceremony was attended by Blerta Abazi Chaushi, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics at the South East European University; Enrique Fatás, Director of the Behavioural Economics Institute at Universidad Europea de Valencia; and Emmanuël Hazé, Chief Implementation Officer of the ChallengeEU alliance at Universidad Europea de Valencia. In addition, Veland Ramadani, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Family Business at the South East European University and Chair of ISCBE 2026, presented an overview of the conference. The programme began with a plenary session in which experts from European universities addressed key issues such as the role of artificial intelligence in sectors such as tourism and its impact on social challenges such as gender equality. The event also included networking opportunities and activities linked to the European ChallengeEU alliance, strengthening academic cooperation between institutions. During the conference, numerous parallel sessions were held, organised around six main areas: sustainability and the circular economy, economics and finance, entrepreneurship and innovation, management and marketing, information systems and artificial intelligence, and the legal aspects of the economies of the future. These sessions provided a platform for presenting research focused on topics such as digital transformation, business resilience and the application of artificial intelligence in decision-making. The programme also featured initiatives focused on knowledge transfer, such as the ‘Meet the Editors’ session, in which editors of international scientific journals shared trends and publication opportunities with participants. By hosting ISCBE 2026, Universidad Europea de Valencia, as the host institution, is reinforcing its position as a leader in research, innovation and international outreach, in line with the objectives of the ChallengeEU alliance and its commitment to developing solutions to the economic and social challenges of the present and the future.
HSO invites: Intensive Language Course “German as a Foreign Language”
Every year in September, the International Center at Hochschule Offenburg offers the intensive summer language course “German as a Foreign Language”. This four-week summer course (September 1-25) offers both introductory and advanced classes in German language and culture. Students from the ChallengeEU Alliance can take advantage of a special reduced course fee. The application deadline is 15 July. Intensive Summer Language Course All classes (about 12–15 participants each) are taught by experienced German teachers. There are four to five 45-minute lessons per day, Monday through Friday. The course concludes with a final exam, and participants receive a certificate. Our four-week intensive course is ideal for strengthening your German language skills while discovering Southern Germany and its culture. Located in the heart of the Ortenau region, Offenburg provides the perfect setting to learn and prepare for your upcoming studies and everyday life in Offenburg. Highlights of the course: Course fees: Accommodation and housing are not included as part of the fees. More information: >>>Hochschule Offenburg >>> Application form
Former HSO Student Wins German Film Award
A major success for Hochschule Offenburg: Alumnus Claudio Demel has been awarded the prestigious “Lola” for Best Sound Design in the feature film “In die Sonne schauen.” The film won a total of ten awards during the gala evening. Claudio Demel, who studied Media Design and Production in Offenburg from 2010 to 2014 and then further specialized at the Film Academy Baden-Württemberg, accepted the award together with his team in Berlin. Presenter Gisa Flake in her speech emphasized the fundamental importance of sound, which condenses stories and defines the blend of the film. In die Sonne schauen tells the eerily intertwined life stories of four women from different eras living on a secluded farm. For Demel, who now lives in Berlin as a freelance film sound engineer and sound designer, the award is a milestone. It also underscores the high quality of media education at Hochschule Offenburg. More information (in German): https://www.hs-offenburg.de/hochschule/news/artikel/ehemaliger-mgp-student-gewinnt-deutschen-filmpreis
Building Bridges: Collaboration for Impact (BIP) has officially started!
Collaboration for Impact, a Staff BIP bringing together representatives from across Europe to strengthen collaboration with external stakeholders and enhance societal impact trough joint learning and exchange
Scientific Wednesdays at UWM
Do the terms hate, hate speech, and hate crimes mean the same thing? Where are the limits of freedom of expression—and what consequences can we face for crossing them? Participants of another meeting in the “Scientific Wednesdays at UWM” series had the chance to explore these questions. The guest speaker was Dr Maciej Duda from the Faculty of Law and Administration. “Scientific Wednesdays at UWM” is a series of open lectures delivered by researchers from the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. Its goal is to share knowledge on issues that concern us all. This time (on 4 March), a scholar from the Department of Criminology and Forensics discussed the legal, criminological, victimological, and social aspects of hate speech. Where does freedom of speech end? One of the key questions that arises whenever freedom of speech is discussed is where its boundaries lie. Dr Duda therefore began his lecture with a quotation from Ulpian, a Roman jurist—one that, in his view, remains surprisingly relevant today and helps to explain the moment when freedom of expression turns into harm inflicted on another person. “The precepts of the law are these: to live honourably, not to injure another, to give each person what is due to them.” As Dr Duda explained, in contemporary terms this means that the boundary of our rights is the right of another person. Put differently: one person’s freedom ends where another person’s freedom begins. Hate is not new—yet the internet amplifies it What we now call “hate” is not a new phenomenon. However, the internet has undeniably contributed to its spread, giving users an illusory sense of anonymity—and, as a result, more courage to publish, for example, hateful comments. Dr Duda reminded the audience that hate can be understood as a broad range of aggressive or hostile behaviours aimed at insulting, humiliating, or slandering individuals and groups. It may take the form of trolling, cyberbullying, defamation, insult, or hate speech. He also pointed out that crime has increasingly moved online. In his words, many offences are now committed in the virtual world—sometimes crimes that can occur only online, and sometimes those transferred from the offline world into cyberspace. Hate, hate speech, hate crimes: not the same thing Dr Duda emphasised that hate—unlike hate crimes, which include hate speech—is not a legal term. Hate has become a social concept, widely used in the media and everyday language. Therefore, hate and hate speech cannot always be treated as equal. From words to violence: the “Pyramid of Hate” When discussing hate and hate speech, it is impossible to ignore their consequences—which can be tragic, both for individuals and for entire nations or ethnic groups. Dr Duda argued that the path from words to actions can be very short, referring to the Pyramid of Hate developed by American psychologist Gordon Allport. The process begins with language—words and hate speech. It may then escalate into ostracism, alienation, rejection of certain social groups, followed by overt discrimination, and ultimately physical violence and even extermination. As Dr Duda noted, history provides painful examples: the Second World War, and later events as well. One of the most striking cases demonstrating the devastating consequences of hate speech is the genocide in Rwanda, which—in essence—was preceded by a radio broadcast that incited hatred and defamed people of Tutsi origin. “Don’t be indifferent”—and react early The appeal not to remain indifferent may sound like a cliché, but in the context of hate it becomes crucial. Dr Duda argued that the only effective way to stop this phenomenon is to counteract it. He referred to the criminological “broken windows” theory: if someone breaks a window in a newly built block of flats or sprays graffiti on a wall, it must be addressed immediately—otherwise the behaviour escalates. The same applies to social relations: if we do not respond quickly, minor incidents may grow into misdemeanours, crimes, and—in the worst cases—tragic acts of violence. He also mentioned practical ways of responding, including: shaping positive social attitudes, recognising disinformation, intervention by online administrators (removing hateful content or accounts), and reporting specific incidents to law enforcement. Discussion after the lecture After the talk—following the tradition of “Scientific Wednesdays at UWM”—the audience took the floor. Judging by the questions, a major concern among participants was hate coming from politicians. Attendees did not hesitate to mention specific names of those in power, arguing that irresponsible statements not only lower the quality of public debate but also worsen social moods. One participant raised the issue of growing polarisation fuelled—according to him—by representatives of Poland’s two largest political parties. He asked Dr Duda whether anything could stop these divisions. Dr Duda responded that politicians sometimes use hate speech intentionally, relying on sensational and controversial messages to win voters. As he noted, populism and hate can become a recipe for political success—though he expressed hope that this will change and that people will ultimately be able to “shake hands” regardless of political preferences. He stressed that society should not allow itself to be divided by politicians. Further reading and upcoming meetings Those who would like to expand their knowledge on the issues discussed can reach for publications by the Department of Criminology and Forensics on hate crimes, including: During the next open lecture organised by the UWM Centre for Marketing and Media (18 March), participants will meet Prof. Jerzy Czołgoszewski (Faculty of Social Sciences), who will discuss what happens to a person in prison. The first meeting in the series, held on 18 February, focused on nutrition. Prof. Katarzyna Przybyłowicz (Faculty of Food Sciences) and Dr Małgorzata Obara-Gołębiowska (Faculty of Social Sciences) spoke about how to make diet “less like black magic” and how to navigate calories and macronutrients without losing one’s mind. A report from that meeting is available on the University of Warmia and Mazury website. All lectures take place at the UWM University Library and are open to everyone.
