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Audit of Internationalisation at UPJŠ

Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice takes part in the project “Audit of the level of internationalization and implementation of the projects of internationalization of higher education institutions and research institutions” the main objective of which is to assess and improve the level of internationalisation of the University. The project includes the elaboration of the Self-Evaluation Survey, a visit of a panel of experts, the development of the Action Plan, and subsequent phase of implementation of the objectives set out in the Action Plan.

The Action Plan includes, inter alia, activities aimed at promoting the active participation of the University in the activities of the AURORA Alliance, promoting international cooperation and project schemes, and creating an intercultural, tolerant and inclusive environment at UPJŠ.

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1
Elaboration of the Self-Evaluation Survey by the Beneficiary

In cooperation with the rectorate, faculties, and other departments, the Self-Evaluation Survey was prepared and subsequently submitted to the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Youth of the Slovak Republic on 31 August 2024.

The Self-Evaluation Survey provides a comprehensive overview of the current level of internationalisation, including, inter alia, information on internationalisation initiatives and efforts both in education and in research, on partnerships and contracts with institutions abroad, participation in international projects, study programmes taught in a foreign language and statistics on ingoing/outgoing mobility of students and staff.

The results of the SWOT analysis are presented in the final part of the Self-Evaluation Survey.

2
Visit of the panel of experts

On 14th and 15th November 2024, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice hosted a panel of independent experts composed of Dimitris Kokkalis – Chief Coordinator, Veronika Kupriyanova, and Karla Zimanová.

During their visit, the panel of experts met with the university management, faculty leaders, representatives of university departments and units and Slovak and international students, with more than 80 people from the University participating in the meetings.

The aim of the visit of the panel of experts was to assess the level of internationalisation of UPJŠ based on the discussions and prepare an evaluation report containing recommendations aimed at systemic improvements.

3
Commenting on the Panel of Experts’ Evaluation Report

After reviewing the Self-Evaluation Survey, the supporting strategic documents and based on the findings of the visit that took place in November 2024, the panel of experts prepared a draft Evaluation Report. With the participation and cooperation of the panel of experts, the findings and recommendations were presented and discussed during the workshop in December 2024, taking into account the comments made by UPJŠ on the Evaluation Report.

The Evaluation Report contains an analysis of the internationalisation efforts of the University and proposes a number of short- and medium-term measures and recommendations to strengthen internationalisation and improve strategic planning and management processes in this area.

4
Development of the Action Plan based on the recommendations of the Evaluation Report

The Action Plan was prepared in close cooperation with the management of individual faculties and other university units. The Action Plan reflects the recommendations of the panel of experts and comprehensively covers all areas of internationalisation.

It consists of 26 short-term objectives to be implemented by October 2025 and 7 medium-term objectives to be implemented within the period of 1 to 3 years. All the objectives of the Action Plan are complementary to each other and are in line with the University’s objectives set out in the Internationalisation Strategy of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice for the 2023-2027 period.

5
The approved Action Plan and the Evaluation Report of the panel of experts to be delivered by the Beneficiary to the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Youth of the Slovak Republic

On 16 January 2025 the panel of experts approved the Action Plan which together with the Evaluation Report was delivered to the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Youth of the Slovak Republic. By doing so, implementation of Sub-Project 1 was successfully completed.

6
Workshop “Audit of Internationalisation at UPJŠ”

On Wednesday, 5 March 2025, a workshop was held in a hybrid format within the Internationalisation Audit project to present the results of the audit and the approved Action Plan to all stakeholders.

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Cieľ 26

Deliverables and Impact

29

incoming
experts

55

visits
abroad

22

outgoing
students

14

target
destinations

17

Senior management members attended intensive language course

82

Pieces of media
output

We organised

26

events

600+

total
participants

out of which

14

events
for students

300+

student
participants

Project activities

28

at the central
level

5

at the Faculty
of Medicine

4

at the Faculty
of Science

3

at the Faculty
of Law

5

at the Faculty
of Public
Administration

4

at the Faculty
of Arts

Overall project impact

Improvement of UPJŠ awareness and strengthening of relationships within the Aurora Alliance

Intensification of consortium building and establishment of new research collaborations and partnerships

Improvement of internal communication within UPJŠ, development of communities, and sharing of best practices

Modernization of teaching and technical equipment of teaching and networking spaces

Enhancement of the bilingual environment at UPJŠ

Activities planned for the upcoming period are aligned with the medium-term objectives of the Action Plan and correspond to the UPJŠ Internationalisation Strategy.

The university will continue to intensify the internationalisation of education, science, and research through several specific steps at the university level, including, inter alia:

  • supporting active membership in the Aurora Alliance through participation in joint projects and contributions to shared educational and research initiatives,
  • supporting efforts to maintain the HR Excellence in Research Award,
  • implementing and evaluating a survey of the needs of UPJŠ students and university services,
  • supporting incoming and outgoing mobility of students, academic staff, and administrative staff,
  • strengthening study programmes taught in foreign languages,
  • internationalizing curricula through the introduction of a mobility window,
  • supporting the recruitment of applicants and researchers from abroad,
  • training UPJŠ staff in global topics,
  • supporting the international spring school for doctoral students

Within the internationalization of the university environment, individual faculties have the intention to perform the following activities:

  • information meetings with students from Ukraine
  • promotion abroad and participation in international fairs for medical faculties, as well as training activities with contracted agencies
  • sharing good practice in promoting studies through meetings with representatives of other faculties
  • expansion of international cooperation based on activities carried out within the project
  • active use of modernized presentation technologies and equipment
  • organization of the summer school in the coming years
  • continuation of cooperation at the international level
  • inclusion of the developed doctoral study programme in English in the offer of study programs
  • building cooperation with foreign experts and collaboration with a promotional agency
  • continuation of cooperation with foreign institutions and established contacts
  • new educational and project activities developed based on visits to partners abroad

Contact Persons

International Relations and Internationalisation Office

doc. Ing. Silvia Ručinská, PhD.

Vice-Rector for Internationalisation


+421 917 686 691
silvia.rucinska@upjs.sk

Mgr. Mária Vasiľová, PhD.

Head of the International Relations and Internationalisation Office

+421 55 234 1159
maria.vasilova@upjs.sk

Bc. Oľga Gállová

International Relations and Internationalisation Officer

+421 55 234 1164
olga.gallova@upjs.sk