SUSTMAN Conference – Entrepreneurship, Sustainability and Manufacturing for students at the State University of Applied Sciences in Konin (also known as PWSZ Konin) was held on March 26, 2015 in the university auditorium. Over 300 people attended the conference including students, academic teachers, representatives of local authorities as well as firms and institutions dealing with management, production administration and environment protection.
The conference was opened by the university’s Vice-Rector Joanna Chojnacka-Gartner PhD who represented the University Rector Professor Miroslaw Pawlak. She greeted everyone present and highlighted the fact that the university continues to progress and does its best to prepare its graduates for the work-field.
It is for this reason that the SUSTMAN project – Entrepreneurship, Sustainability and Manufacturing for students at the State University of Applied Sciences in Konin is implemented. It is to provide students with knowledge and qualifications required in the demanding European and Polish job market through an interdepartmental mode of study with a cycle of training courses in Eco-Entrepreneurship, soft skills, communication, sustainable development, sustainable manufacturing, services as well as study visits in Poland and Norway. During the course participants will acquire practical competencies in starting and running their own business. After the course ends, the new mode of study will be a part of the academic syllabus on offer at the university. Participating in the project is free of charge for students of all faculties and departments.
The lessons (120 hours) will be led by Polish and Norwegian experts in the Polish and English language using the newest technology including tablets and interactive whiteboards. The first lectures were already given during the opening conference. Professor Torbjorn Skogsrod from Gjovic University College in Norway lectured on Sustainable Manufacturing. Professor Tom Jonstad from the same university college talked about Sustainable Business Administration.
The participants of the conference were also able to learn about the Norwegian Higher Education Structure in a lecture given by Inge Oystein Moen the chancellor at Gjovic University College. The Dean of the Humanities Department at the State University of Applied Sciences in Konin, Artur Zimny PhD informed participants about the regulations and benefits of enrolling in the project. Cezary Wojarski, Managing Director at Macposter Sp. z o. o. talked about Polish – Norwegian cooperation in assessment of the Polish entrepreneur.
The SUSTMAN Project – Entrepreneurship, Sustainability and Manufacturing for students at the State University of Applied Sciences in Konin is implemented thanks to the scholarship and training fund whose operational goal is the Development of Polish Higher Education Institutions from January 1, 2015 to May 31, 2016. The total cost of the Project is 633 575,70 PLN with 70 397,30 PLN in own investment. The project is supported by a grant from Norway through the Norway Grants and co-financed by Polish funds.
The goal of the project is to prepare young adults for the challenge that every graduate faces – finding employment. It could be self- employment or a work contract in a company. Candidates are expected to have various qualifications but most of all work skills as well as organizational and interpersonal. It depends on the type of institution. More and more companies incorporate environmentally friendly technologies and implement sustainable progress. However, not many Polish Higher Education Institutions train their students in such a way that meets the demands of potential employers. At the same time it is a trend that is growing dynamically in Europe and Poland thanks to European Union regulations.
Students at PWSZ Konin who take part in the SUSTMAN Project will acquire knowledge in this field and will learn to meet the expectations of potential employees especially soft and communication skills. In the various modes of study, classes will be taught by competent academics and practitioners who have experience in business related institutions, as well as soft skills trainers.
All information about the project can be found on the website www.sustman.pwsz.konin.edu.pl
The project is supported by a grant from Norway through the Norway Grants and co-financed by Polish funds.