To Improve Communication: UWM Hosted Two Online Events for ChallengeEU Community
The University of Warmia and Mazury, coordinator of the ChallengeEU Mentoring Programme, organised two online events dedicated to communication in mentoring and inclusive mentoring, which took place on 17 April 2026. The workshop titled “Communication in the context of mentoring” was led by Dr Monika Cichmińska from the UWM. “I designed these workshops in a way that would help raise awareness of how important the words we use to communicate with each other are. Despite the online format, participants practiced, among other things, active listening and formulating precise messages—ones that are not judgmental but based on facts. The goal was to learn how to become a more effective ‘communicator.’ I hope these sessions provided a foundation for further exploration of these topics,” explained Dr Monika Cichmińska. Dr Monika Cichmińska is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Linguistics in the Department of Humanities at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland. Her academic interests include cognitive semantics, especially the use of conceptual metaphors and multimodality in popular culture, the language of emotions, and different aspects of communication. She is also interested in applied linguistics, especially the influence of affective factors in learning, and brain-friendly teaching and learning. She enjoys working with people, and likes to combine theory (linguistics, psychology and neurosciences) with practice (teaching English). In her free time, she likes to read, learn new things, go to the cinema and watch TV series. On the same day, there was also an open online lecture dedicated to inclusive mentoring in the context of bridging academia and business. The workshop, titled “Inclusive mentoring for interdisciplinary and international career development: bridging academia and industry,” was led by Dr Hafizur Rahman from Mid Sweden University (MIUN). The researcher shared his experience stemming from an interdisciplinary education and professional background that included academia, industry, international collaboration, and active involvement in mentoring within the ChallengeEU alliance. His lecture focused on inclusive mentoring, which allowed participants to recognize its benefits for career development, also at the international level. During the session the worlds of academia and business were brought together. Dr Hafizur Rahman is a Researcher and Project Manager at Mid Sweden University, Sweden, working at the interface of chemical engineering, sustainable materials, and industrial innovation. His research focuses on fiber-based materials, resource-efficient processes, and advanced material characterization in close collaboration with industry and international research infrastructures. With a multidisciplinary academic background and professional experience spanning academia, industry, and international collaboration, he is actively engaged in mentoring within the ChallengeEU program. His mentoring focuses on helping early-career researchers navigate interdisciplinary and international environments, bridge academia and industry, and develop impactful, sustainable career pathways. The workshops were mandatory for participants of the BIP programme entitled “Inclusive Mentoring and Career Development for a Diverse Academia”, but at the same time they were open to all members of the ChallengeEU alliance community. Main photo: www.freepik.com
Inclusive Mentoring in Action: ChallengeEU Alliance Members Meet in Olsztyn
The Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Warmia and Mazury hosted an Erasmus+ BIP Programme entitled “Inclusive Mentoring and Career Development for a Diverse Academia”. Eighteen students from universities that form the ChallengeEU alliance came to Olsztyn. The students represented Universidade Europeia (UEL), Hochschule Offenburg (HSO, the alliance leader), and Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU). The programme also involved academic staff: Dr Hafizur Rahman from Mid Sweden University (MIUN), Professor Maria Rita Albergaria, and Dr Mafalda Leitão (both from UEL). Without leaving anyone behind “The main theme of this BIP programme was inclusive mentoring, so we focused on the idea of ODEI (openness, diversity, equity, inclusion). Around these values, we built the programme of the event, which included workshops, lectures, and a trip to the Invisible House in Toruń, where everyone can experience what everyday life is like for people who are blind,” said Professor Katarzyna Ćwirynkało from the Faculty of Social Sciences at UWM and ODEI Officer in the ChallengeEU alliance. The principles of inclusive mentoring were explained to the BIP programme participants by Dr Monika Ryndzionek from the Faculty of Social Sciences, who works in the ODEI team within the ChallengeEU alliance. “We discussed the conditions that must be met for mentoring programmes to be considered inclusive. The primary goal of inclusive mentoring is to support individuals who, for various reasons, may be at risk of exclusion, feel overlooked, or face different challenges at university. The idea is to respect diversity and help such individuals navigate the academic community—regardless of their social, identity-related, or demographic characteristics,” explained Dr Monika Ryndzionek. Participants developed practical skills in mentoring communication, giving feedback, and setting boundaries. They also explored strategies for building trust, psychological safety, and intercultural sensitivity, while reflecting on their professional identity and leadership potential within an inclusive academic environment. Workshops were led by Dr Czesław Kiński (“Feed Back, Feed Forward: A Quick Guide to Giving, Getting, and Using Feedback”), Dr Jacek Łagun (“Let’s Get Emotional… in a Mentoring Space: Building an Emotionally Aware Learning Environment”), and Agata Przyborowska, MA, who addressed the topic of procrastination. Professor Maria Rita Albergaria led a seminar on coping with difficult interpersonal situations, while Dr Mafalda Leitão facilitated interactive sessions on observing and analysing support dynamics. Dr Hafizur Rahman focused on inclusive mentoring in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments. A wealth of knowledge and experience Angelo Valente from Universidade Europeia emphasised that the programme helped him better understand other cultures. “I think it is very important to talk about equality and inclusivity, because we live in an increasingly globalised world. We need to learn to respect other cultures without losing our own identity,” he said. Vishwajeet Kumbhar from Hochschule Offenburg highlighted the interactive nature of the programme. “Once I arrived, I realised that many interactive sessions had been planned, which was quite different from my usual classes. The programme focused not only on mentoring, but also on personal development. I particularly enjoyed the sessions where Polish students joined us and we worked together,” he said. Renāte Ruska, a ChallengeEU Student Ambassador from LBTU, also took part in the programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Warmia and Mazury. “It was wonderful to learn more about ODEI. The lectures and workshops we attended inspired me to move beyond stereotypical thinking. The trip to Toruń was also very educational—we were able to experience, even if only for a moment, what it is like to be blind. It completely changes your perspective and helps you better understand the challenges such individuals face in everyday life,” said Renāte. Renāte also admitted that the competences she gained during the Blended Intensive Programme at UWM will allow her to become an even better ambassador of the ChallengeEU alliance. “We are diverse, and we must respect that by approaching each person individually. I am also glad that, as an ambassador, I had the opportunity to meet people from other universities within the alliance and see how different—and at the same time similar—we are. The ChallengeEU alliance brings together universities that are distant not only geographically but also culturally, and it is inspiring to see how each of us can contribute something and how we can build a community that shares the same values,” she emphasised.
Branding, or building identity. Workshops in Poland
Representatives of the nine universities forming the ChallengeEU alliancemet at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (Poland) to discuss how to communicate and disseminate the alliance’s activities, which aim to open new opportunities for members of the academic community. To discuss the image of the ChallengeEU alliance and strategies for reaching various target audiences, representatives from all partner universities gathered in Olsztyn. Among them, the largest group consisted of those responsible for communication within the project. Also present were leaders of other work packages and the Secretary General of the alliance. All had the opportunity to connect with UWM staff involved in other parts of the project. The workshops were also attended by Prof. Paweł Wielgosz, UWM’s Representative for European Universities. Branding – Building the Identity of the Alliance The identity and future of ChallengeEU will be shaped by those who co-create it and seize the opportunities it offers. However, its image—especially in the eyes of individuals or companies potentially interested in collaborating with the universities—will also play a vital role and should be considered from the very beginning. Working on the alliance’s identity means also working on its visual communication and messaging—key elements that ChallengeEU will use to connect with others. Learning from One Another and Combining Our Strengths The second day was equally productive, featuring workshops and a working meeting held at the UWM Center for Marketing and Media. “A very important part of the visit was the opportunity for our guests to explore various units of UWM — including the editorial offices of the university media, the Office for International Cooperation, the Student Affairs Office, the Center for Cooperation with the Socio-Economic Environment, as well as selected faculties,” explains Dr. Marta Śliwa. “It was a great opportunity to present UWM’s educational offer and scientific potential, but also for our community to learn more about the ideas and objectives of the ChallengeEU alliance.” – “The meeting in Olsztyn was very highly rated by all participants, which is a great joy for us. We feel that thanks to this event, ChallengeEU has truly found its place within our university’s academic space.” Participants of the workshops in Kortowo also emphasized how meeting in person made them realize how strong their relationships have already become — and how positively this strengthens their collaboration. Together with all those involved in the project, they are gradually building the foundation for a shared, open, and inclusive campus.
UWM Celebrated Joining the ChallengeEU Alliance
The University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (UWM) has officially joined the ChallengeEU alliance, marking a significant step in its international development. The official celebration took place on Wednesday, 5 March 2025, at the university’s main campus in Olsztyn. During the event, Prof. Jerzy Przyborowski, Rector of UWM, formally presented appointment certificates to the university team members engaged in the project. As he emphasized, participation in the ChallengeEU alliance represents a strategic opportunity not only for the university itself but also for the broader development of the region. The meeting served as an occasion to introduce the vision and objectives of ChallengeEU to the university community and regional stakeholders. Prof. Paweł Wielgosz, UWM’s Coordinator for European Universities, highlighted the several years of intensive preparations that led to the university’s inclusion in the alliance. He also underlined the significance of this achievement, noting that currently, fewer than 10 percent of higher education institutions in Europe are members of university alliances under the European Universities initiative. The event brought together representatives from local government, business sectors, and non-governmental organisations, who expressed their enthusiasm and support for this international academic collaboration. Joining ChallengeEU opens new paths for innovation, mobility, and excellence in education — and UWM is proud to be part of this shared European vision.
