Higher Education Institutions In Poland Research Articles

Model of student engagement in the distance learning process

PurposeWe aimed to identify factors that influence student engagement in distance learning.Design/methodology/approachThe research involved a group of 671 students from economic and technical higher education institutions in Poland. We collected the data with the CAWI technique and an original survey. Next, we processed the data using principal component analysis and then used the extracted components as predictors in the induced smoothing LASSO regression model.FindingsThe components of the students’ attitude toward remote classes learning conditions are: satisfaction with teachers’ approach, attitude to distance learning, the system of students’ values and motivation, IT infrastructure of the university, building a network of contacts and communication skills. The final model consisted of seven statistically significant variables, encompassing the student’s sex, level of studies and the first five extracted PCs. Student’s system of values and motivation as well as attitude toward distance learning, were those variables that had the biggest influence on student engagement.Practical implicationsThe research result suggests that in addition to students’ system of values and motivation and their attitude toward distance learning, the satisfaction level of teachers’ attitude is one of the three most important factors that influence student engagement during the distance learning process.Originality/valueThe main value of this article is the statistical model of student engagement during distance learning. The article fills the research gap in identifying and evaluating the impact of various factors determining student engagement in the distance learning process.

Studying at higher education institutions in Poland as seen by students with disabilities in the context of the geographical model of disability

The subject addressed in the present paper is important for the current social and educational policy regarding persons with disabilities. The development of the accessible education concept should be based on the geographical model of disability, whose main principle is to focus on the varied social needs and adjust the conditions of the geographical environment accordingly rather than to concentrate on the disability itself. The main aim of the study was to recognise the opinions of students with disabilities about studying at Polish higher education institutions (HEI). The study was based on the results of online interviews including standardised questions (open- and close-ended). The time scope of the study covers the years 2019 and 2021. The research has shown that some students hide their disability until it is visible. As a result, they do not receive adequate support and limit the achievement of goals that were the main motivation for studying. Measures taken to support students with different needs at HEIs must have a systemic nature and be addressed to the entire academic community, as well as to the society.

Publication Activity of Public Higher Education Institutions in Poland Corresponding to the Idea of Sustainable Energy Development – Results of a Cluster Analysis

Abstract Objective The aim of the article is to present the involvement of public Higher Education Institutions in Poland in popularizing the idea of sustainable development within the framework of their publishing activities. Methodology In this study, agglomerative clustering approach, which is a representative of the hierarchical method, was used. The distance between selected public Higher Education Institutions in Poland was determined based on the Squared Euclidean Distance. In turn, to estimate the distance between clusters, the Ward method was used. The study used three parameters, constructed from data taken from SciVal: (1) total number of publications, (2) citation count, and (3) field-weighted citation impact. Findings Three groups of Polish public HEIs were distinguished as a result of the cluster analysis that was performed (based on: the total number of publications, the citation count, and the field-weighted citation impact). The most publication-productive were seven technical universities, i.e., Warsaw University of Technology, Gdansk University of Technology, Silesian University of Technology, AGH University of Science and Technology, Lodz University of Technology, Poznan University of Technology, and Wroclaw University of Science and Technology. The publications prepared by the employees of the universities of technology were also characterized by the highest number of citations. Value Added This article is one of the first to present (in quantitative terms) the involvement of universities in popularizing sustainable energy development concept. The methodology used in it can be applied to the other Sustainable Development Goals. Recommendations Given the increasing importance of the concept of sustainability in the functioning of universities, it seems necessary to create tools to measure the degree of their involvement in popularizing this idea. Among other things, universities are obliged to share their knowledge in this area. Bibliometric data provided by the SciVal system may be helpful in this regard. It is necessary to conduct research taking into account both domestic and foreign universities.

Quality management in educational organizations: transformation of the environment and features of the formation of local quality management systems

Methods. Scientific results are obtained through the use of such methods as description, abstraction and induction. With the help of the method of description, aspects of the evolution of quality management in the educational organization were revealed, in particular, attention was focused on the experience of higher education institutions in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Germany. With the help of the abstraction method, certain aspects of quality management in higher education institutions of Ukraine were singled out and a list of actions was proposed that will contribute to the optimization of certain processes within the framework of ISO 9001:2015. When applying the induction method, the authors made conclusions regarding the possibilities of significant optimization and improvement of the quality management system in higher education institutions of Ukraine. Results. The article investigates and analyzes the features and aspects of the functioning of the quality management system in institutions of higher education, proposes certain elements for implementation in the system of higher education that will contribute to the optimization and improvement of the functioning of processes within the framework of ISO 9001:2015. Novelty. This study revealed and demonstrated that within the framework of the higher education system of Ukraine there are certain characteristics that in one way or another negatively affect the functioning of the educational processes of higher education institutions of Ukraine. Therefore, we have created and proposed methods that can improve and optimize processes in higher education institutions. Practical value. This study can be important and useful for the management of higher education institutions in building an effective quality management system in higher education institutions, which can lead to higher education standards and, as a result, satisfaction of all interested parties.

Body image and willingness to change it-A study of university students in Poland.

The present study aimed to identify declared patterns of ideal appearance among students at selected higher education institutions in Poland. In the present study, we set out to identify the body image and the propensity to change it. In order to achieve the goal of the study, a nationwide survey was carried out using a voluntary diagnostic survey. A total of 810 respondents took part in the survey. The study was conducted using a custom-made self-designed survey questionnaire with an indirect interview technique via a web-based platform (CAWI). The study results indicate that women were far more eager to maintain an attractive appearance through dieting than men. Importantly, the respondents, both women and men, did not identify influencers as role models of attractive appearance. Results of the present survey reveal that attitudes towards one's physical appearance are diverse and influenced by the considered factors. The attributes that determined the perception of oneself as an attractive person included height, weight, and body build. Normal body weight is a key feature of an attractive appearance, according to the respondents; nevertheless, students show a higher tolerance for being overweight than for being underweight. Furthermore, preferences in this respect are largely conditioned by individual personal characteristics. According to young people, a person with an attractive appearance is one who eats and exercises regularly, and who does not fall into extremes in terms of their appearance. On the other hand, the fear of growing fat and losing one's attractive appearance was frequently indicated among the concerns over personal appearance. Only one in five respondents expressed complete satisfaction with how they looked, with men and those with a normal BMI significantly more likely to do so. Respondents expressed readiness to undertake a range of activities related to increased exercise regime, changes in their eating habits, or seeking assistance (e.g., of a personal trainer) to achieve the desired body shape. Our findings can be used as a basis for discussion and consideration in developing educational activities on nutrition, as well as on overweight- and obesity-related health issues.

An accessibility analysis of websites of selected types of universities

Universities have their websites, web and mobile applications that are aimed at different audiences: candidates students, students, employees and business environment. In the case of public universities this software must be accessible to the widest possible range of users, as well as people with disabilities. The requirements have been imposed on public institutions by current Polish laws. Accordingly, it is necessary to periodically review the compliance with accessibility requirements, and if any requirement is not met by a particular service, the accessibility statement should mention it and state the prospect of remedying it. The aim of the study is to analyze and evaluate the accessibility of websites of various types of selected higher education institutions in Poland, taking into account the type of the university. Accordingly, a study consisting of two stages was performed. The first stage consisted in conducting an expert analysis using a proprietary checklist to verify whether a given site contains selected accessibility features. The second stage consisted in an audit using automated tools that checked various aspects of the application: accessibility (Utilitia, accessiBe), performance (Google PageSpeed Insights) and adaptation to mobile devices (Google Mobile-Friendly Test). Thirty sites were used as research material, each belonging to one of 6 types of higher-education institutions: technical, economic, pedagogical, agricultural/natural science, physical education and a university. The results obtained from the first part of the survey show that university websites are equipped with standard accessibility tools, regardless of which group they belong to - the average accessibility rate for all universities was 63.7%. The second part of the survey showed that the greatest discrepancies between the different types of universities (ranging from 56.4% to 79.6%) occurred in the aspect of website performance. The sites of economic universities performed best in this element (79.6%), while the weakest were those of physical education universities (56.4%).

EDUCATION IN THE FIELD OF CYBERSECURITY AT UNIVERSITIES IN POLAND

The article characterizes the current state of development of cybersecurity education in highereducation institutions in Poland. The purpose of the study is to characterize the models of cybersecurity education, to verify the development trends and to attempt to estimate further directionsin higher education for cyber security professionals. The compiled material, obtained frompublicly available databases and curricula, allowed us to formulate conclusions related to theeducation process itself, as well as to the confirmation of skills. A quantitative as well as qualitativeanalysis of the data was carried out, focused on the content of study programs. The profile ofa cybersecurity graduate varies by the leading institution, as well as by the discipline under whichthe education is provided. Recent years show a significant increase in new majors with a socialhumanitiesprofile, which, in addition to technological issues, pay attention to the broad contextof human functioning in cyberspace. An important addition to cybersecurity education, apartfrom formal confirmation of skills during higher education, is the certification process. This is anexample of informal education, but as global experience shows, it is equally important, both fromthe perspective of improving specialized skills and as a formal requirement in the recruitment andemployment search process.

EATING-RELATED HEALTH BEHAVIORS AND BODY PERCEPTION: A STUDY OF YOUNG ADULTS IN POLAND

Background. The time of studies and the change in the social environment resulting from taking up education at a university is a time of complex experiences for young people, during which they encounter factors that predispose them to change their eating habits and to increased susceptibility to mental disor ders. The lifestyle of university students who aim to shape their health behaviors in their new environment is mediated by a multitude of factors. Therefore, in the present study, we seek to identify health behaviors (eating behaviors, the use of stimulants and addictive substances - tobacco) in terms of self-perception of an appearance among students at selected higher education institutions in Poland. This empirical study was conducted using a custom-designed questionnaire with an indirect interview technique via a web based platform (CAWI) in the period from 1 February to 31 March 2023. The study covered 805 respond ents, of which 461 were women and 344 men. Results and conclusions. It has been shown that a high level of satisfaction with body parts and nor mal body weight are factors influencing the self-assessment of the quality of life, health and nutrition among young adults. An interesting phenomenon that has been observed is the influence of the level of satisfaction with body parts on the frequency of eating and preparing meals. In addition, all young people unequivocally believed that one’s appearance is important in the life of a modern person. In their opinion, it plays a particularly important role in finding a well-paid job and a life partner. The results contribute to an understanding of potential pathways of healthy eating development, thereby highlighting possible intervention targets.

Empatia przyszłych nauczycieli a ich wrażliwość międzykulturowa

This article is empirical. It presents the results of a study aimed at determining the level of empathy and intercultural sensitivity of future teachers. Preparation of teachers to fulfil the pedagogical role of school, especially in the current situation caused by the war in Ukraine and the enrolment of approximately 200,000 Ukrainian children into the Polish education system, involves the necessity of adequate training of candidates for this profession. What is significant in this context is the definition of empathy, which should be understood as the ability to respectfully understand the other person and the inner power that guides and motivates an individual to pro-social behaviour. Another important element of that definition is cultural sensitivity understood as an indicator of cross-cultural communication ability, manifested in the readiness to interact with people from different cultures. The study was conducted employing a diagnostic survey with the use of a revised version of the Empathic Understanding Questionnaire by Andrzej Węgliński and the scale of intercultural sensitivity developed by Guo- Ming Chen and William Starosta in the Polish adaptation of Dariusz Majerk and Mariusz Korczyński. The survey involved students in pedagogical faculties from various higher education institutions in Poland. The results of the study reveal the need for pedagogical preparation of future teachers to fulfil their professional role to the highest possible extent.

STRATEGIC LAWSUITS AGAINST PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (SLAPP) IN LIGHT OF DISCLOSED SEXUAL VIOLENCE AT UNIVERSITIES IN POLAND – GENERAL REFLECTIONS RELATING TO LEGAL REGULATION AND PRACTICE

This publication aims to present the problem of disclosed sexual violence at higher education institutions in Poland in the light of available anti-discrimination regulations introduced at the University of Warsaw and standards provided by national and EU law. The paper further presents de lege lata institutions used in Poland as SLAPPs with a critical assessment of them and legal instruments possible to use in defence against retaliation. The study proceeds to present de lege ferenda solutions. Within the framework of the developed proposals for legal changes, an analysis is made of actions taken at the international level, particularly within the European Union, which constitute proposed legal regulations aimed at preventing legal retaliatory actions in the future. The analysis of the regulations contained in EU documents was aimed at investigating whether the guidelines enacted take into account effective protection of persons who, by disclosing their experience of sexual violence, expose themselves to retaliatory actions from the perpetrators.

Practical education at universities in Poland – legal regulations and reflections

The aim of the article is to show the transformations taking place at universities under the influence of socio-economic changes as well as dynamic changes in the labour market. The considerations are aimed at showing the specifics of dual studies, studies with a practical profile. The key, according to the author, is to present and analyse the legal provisions regulating their existence and functioning in higher education institutions in Poland.

The effect of the form and level of study on the type of pro-environmental actions taken by students of higher education institutions in Poland

The effect of the form and level of study on the type of pro-environmental actions taken by students of higher education institutions in Poland

Contemporary Practice of Natural Science Training in Higher Education Institutions in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic: Neurobiological Aspects of Psychology

The article examines the program principles and subject content of natural science training of future psychologists in Central Europe (Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic). The choice of these countries for the study is due to the fact that despite short period of membership in the European Union, the countries achieved a significant progress in developing national education systems. The purpose of the article is to identify the main trends in natural science training of future psychologists and their correlation with the latest ideas of neurobiology, which is gradually becoming complementary to psychological, pedagogical and other humanities. Using methods of analysis (content analysis of educational programs; analysis of educational content for accordance with the latest advances in neurobiology), comparative method, statistical methods and extrapolation method, it was found that natural science training in universities in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic partially corresponds to practical application of neurobiology in the professional practice of psychologists. We present specific aspects of qualitative differences in the conclusions. We also calculated that the quantitative ratio of major subjects differs: the volume of credits for natural science training of future psychologists in the curricula of the analysed higher education institutions in Poland is about 6%, in the Czech Republic - 9-10%, and in Hungary - 11-12%. The international significance of the article lies in identification of positive practical and formal approaches to neurobiological training, which requires organizational and methodological reforms of psychological education in Eastern Europe.

The Involvement of Public Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Poland in the Promotion of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Age of Social Media

The aim of this paper is to present the involvement of public Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Poland in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2021. The reason for undertaking the research was a noticeable lack of studies in the literature on the engagement of universities in the concept of sustainability. The research conducted was mainly qualitative in nature. The aim was realized using three groups of research methods: collection of empirical data, data processing, and the presentation of study outcomes. The study used 16 indicators, constructed from data taken from SciVal and RAD-on reports. These indicators presented the number of publications promoting each of the SDGs in 2021 per academic staff and other persons carrying out and participating in teaching or research activities. The research was conducted on 57 universities from Poland. Four clusters were distinguished as a result of the cluster analysis that was performed. The first cluster comprised only universities of life sciences. This group had the highest publication productivity for the following goals: SDG2, SDG3, SDG6, SDG11, SDG12, SDG13, SDG14, SDG15, and SDG16. The universities that made up cluster 2 (predominantly universities of technology) specialized in publications related to goals such as SDG7 and SDG9. The highest publication productivity for SDG1, SDG4, SDG5, SDG8, SDG10, and SDG16 belonged to cluster 3 (consisting mainly of universities of economics). The HEIs (mainly universities of physical education) that made up cluster 4 did not have the highest publication productivity in any of the SDGs. Therefore, it can be concluded that, in 2021, there was a correlation between the profile of a public HEI in Poland and the SDGs it was involved in promoting.

The Policy of Supporting Students with Disabilities At Higher Education Institutions in Poland — The Example of the University of Wrocław University and Wrocław University of Technology

Abstract Students with disabilities are an important group in the academic community who should be provided with appropriate support by higher education institutions (HEIs) from the recruitment stage through education to participation in academic activities. The aim of this article is to analyse the support system for students with disabilities at universities in Poland, in the context of good practices model implementation, based on the examples of the University of Wrocław and Wrocław University of Technology. The paper uses formal-legal analysis, sources analysis and uses quantitative data for a comparative sake. The article answers the following research questions: 1. What are the legal regulations for supporting students with disabilities? 2. How do higher education institutions regulate support for students with disabilities? 3. How do higher education institutions in Poland implement inclusive education? 4. How and at what level do higher education institutions implement the good practice model? 5. Do students with disabilities receive the support they request? 6. Does the implementation of the model of good practices help to increase the accessibility of higher education institutions? As a result, an evaluation of the implementation of support at the University of Wrocław and Wrocław University of Technology was developed. Strengths and weaknesses of the support off ered were identified and the level of support for students with disabilities was assessed based on the model of good practices. In conclusion, both the University of Wrocław and the Wrocław University of Technology have implemented a model of good practice in supporting students with disabilities. However, there is a need to extend the range of forms of support and to intensify some of the forms of support implemented so far.

Academic Integrity in the Context of European Experience and Ukrainian Practice

The article analyses the experience of European countries in counteraction to academic dishonesty and plagiarism, as well as the attitude of Ukrainian students to the problem. The specific examples of the counteraction against academic fraud in universities abroad have been studied, in particular, in the United Kingdom at the University College London, in Sweden at the Karolinska Medical University, and in higher education institutions in Poland. The article examines the attitude of Ukrainian students to various issues of academic integrity by questionnaires for its development in higher education institutions to prevent plagiarism in Master's theses.
 The purpose of the research is to study the European experience in counteraction to the manifestations of academic dishonesty and plagiarism among students to apply the experience in Ukrainian higher education institutions.
 Methodology. A survey among Master's students in H.S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University was conducted, which revealed the level of students’ knowledge about such concepts as academic integrity, plagiarism, as well as its types and reasons that motivate students to academic dishonesty and plagiarism.
 Results. The results of the survey show that, unfortunately, most students do not consider plagiarism a fraud. According to them, posting a text on the Internet makes it common and accessible to all, “nobody's”, and academic dishonesty and plagiarism in the student environment by majority of students is still perceived as the norm.
 Conclusions. To develop the academic integrity for Ukrainian students, it is necessary to implement a set of various measures. Promoting academic integrity and counteraction to plagiarism should take place at the level of the national ministry, higher education institutions, University faculties, departments, teaching staff, and the students themselves. Such work must be systematic, have a strategy, technology, ways of implementation at all levels of the scientific and educational process. It is expedient to conduct mass, explanatory, preventive work in each university, instill in Ukrainian students the principles of academic integrity, conduct special lessons to prevent plagiarism, work with common electronic programs of text self-checking, and teach training modules.

The essence, methods and results of assessing profitability of a non-public university

The aim of the study is to present the meaning, structure and principles of financing higher education in Poland. The division into public and non-public higher education is presented and the authors focused on the sources of financing non-public higher education, which does not benefit from budget subsidies. The most important sources of financing activities of non-public higher education were indicated. Another objective of the paper is to characterize the role, essence and importance of the financial controlling department in the management of economic entities including non-public higher education institutions. The authors’ interests is also focused on financial documents, which provide data to evaluate the financial situation of an economic entity as well as financial measures used during the analysis. Finally, an assessment of the level of profitability of a non-public higher education institution is made with a detailed division into full-time, extramural and postgraduate studies. The revenue structure of the studied entity was also compared to the market of non-public higher education institutions in Poland.
 The essence of functioning of the financial controlling department in a company and the tasks and role of a financial controller are additionally presented in the paper. The methodology used in the submitted article is a financial analysis of non-public university’s financial statement based on profitability ratios. The article deals with the occasional subject of evaluation of non-public university functioning by the Financial Controlling Department in terms of income generated, costs incurred and profitability level achieved.
 The functioning of higher education in Poland should be divided into two areas: state universities, which benefit from budget subsidies for students studying on a full-time basis, and non-public higher education institutions, which may or may not benefit from such subsidies. Their primary source of income is fees paid by students in various forms, mainly in the form of tuition fees. Non-public sector of higher education in Poland doesn’t use public budget grants so the importance of Financial Controlling Departments is essential in calculating incomes and costs. The data used in the analyses came from a private institution in the higher education sector. The owner of the company did not agree to provide its name and the detailed figures based on which the financial ratios were calculated.

Organizational Responses to the covid-19 Crisis by Universities in Poland: A Survey of Student Attitudes

Abstract The global health crisis caused by the sars-CoV-2 virus has impacted higher education systems worldwide. Emergency remote teaching strategies have been common organizational responses, which came with challenges, particularly in systems that lacked the capacity for digital provision. Building on strategic and crisis management theory and literature, this study investigates student attitudes towards organizational responses to the crisis in public higher education institutions in Poland. Drawing on findings of an online survey completed by 359 students from 61 institutions, this research has revealed that more than half of the respondents were satisfied with organizational responses to the crisis. Instructors’ self-motivation was identified as a key enabler of a successful implementation of distance learning, while their lack of familiarity with e-learning and technology were found as dominant barriers. The findings of this research can support institutions in other contexts to strengthen their commitment to educational improvement in a period of crisis and digital transformation.

COVID-19 and Technological Maturity of HEIs in Poland

Technology has become a crucial service medium also for higher education institutions (HEIs). Moreover, the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic significantly underscored the relevance of studies on e-services. This article analyzes the technological maturity of HEIs in Poland with the obtained results analyzed against the backdrop of the current pandemic. The study considers the overall level of universities’ virtualization, condition of their ICT infrastructure, IT services offered by public universities, and their use of advanced technologies. The results are analyzed in terms of two aspects: (1) the current technological maturity of HEIs in Poland and their ability to offer virtualized public services during the pandemic and (2) the dimensions of technological maturity that universities ought to focus on with a view to preventing the deterioration of e-services and their quality. Based on the above, recommendations are formulated in terms of improving flexibility to cope with the challenges of this difficult period.

Directions for the development of information resource management in military libraries of higher education institutions in Poland on the example of the Library of the War Studies University and the Library of the Military University of Technology

The article addresses the directions of management development in military libraries of higher education institutions in Poland. These changes are noticeable in such areas as information technology, interpersonal communication, spatial architecture, and library budget. The article also presents two most important and largest libraries in the Polish Armed Forces, namely the Library of the War Studies University and the Library of the Military University of Technology. It provides a brief historical outline of the mother universities of these libraries and the beginnings of their activities. Then, the essential modern solutions implemented there and have directly contributed to their development, are analyzed.