University Counselling Center
The University Counselling Center (UNIPOC) is a specialized department of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, which provides comprehensive free support to students of UPJŠ and UVLF. It focuses on various aspects of their university and personal life with the aim of contributing to their successful studies and mental well-being. UNIPOC also covers support for students with specific needs. During the academic year, it organizes various online and offline events to support mental health, develop skills, and establish contacts with employers.
histOrY of the center
2013 The establishment of the center
On May 16, 2013, the Academic Senate of UPJŠ approved the Rector’s proposal to establish a university workplace, the “University Counselling Center UPJŠ in Košice”. PhDr. Milana Kovaničová, CSc., took over the directorship.
2015 UNIPOC in new premises
After two years, the center moved to the newly renovated Minerva building on the campus of the Faculty of Arts at Moyzesová 9.
2016 Intensification of activities
Veronika Zibrinyiová became the second director. The activity of the counseling center increased. A new logo of the center was introduced with a motif of hands in the colors of the UPJŠ faculties symbolizing help. The letter “O” in the name UNIPOC represents communication, without which counseling and support of students is indispensable.
creation of Career club
In the summer semester of the 2017/2018 academic year, the unique UPJŠ Career Club for employers was founded. Its goal is long-term cooperation between the university and employers to improve students’ readiness for the labor market and at the same time create opportunities for them to realize their potential there.
2020 PanDEMIC
It was an opportunity to intensify the provision of online counseling for students and to create the UNIPOkeC podcast.
2021 A new type of counselling
This year, UNIPOC began providing individual counseling in effective learning.
2022 Buddy program
The Buddy system was created as a BEET project of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic and its pilot program was implemented at Pavol Jozef Šafárik University under the leadership of Mgr. Lenka Abrinková, PhD. from the University Counseling Center.
2025
UNIPOC has also started providing its services to students of the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice.
UNIPOC premises
The University Counseling Center is located in the renovated Minerva building on the premises of the Faculty of Arts at Moyzesová 9, in close proximity to the historical center of Košice. The UNIPOC office is located on the 1st floor, along with an architecturally interesting multifunctional hall with a raised stage and an audience capacity of 50 people. It is loosely connected to the attic, where there is an open gallery with a view of the hall. There are also two counseling rooms in the attic of Minerva.
