International study visit of the partners of the Erasmus+ project ERASMUS-EDU-2022-CBHE-STRAND-2 ‘PROMENT’ in the field of ‘Capacity Building in Higher Education’ took place in Gliwice (Poland) at the Silesian University of Technology (Politechnika Śląska) in November 2023. The meeting was attended by representatives of 7 partner universities from 3 countries: Italy, Georgia and Ukraine. 

The Silesian University of Technology is one of the leading technical universities in Europe with more than 17,000 students. It is a powerful educational and research centre that actively implements project-based learning as an element of the research-based learning strategy.

During the visit, the participants learnt about the peculiarities of training based on solving real industry problems. Project-based learning at the Silesian University of Technology is characterised by interdisciplinarity, internships and teamwork. Each semester ends with a research project and a public presentation of the results. 

The university is also actively implementing the third mission by providing comprehensive support to local communities and local governments. In addition, the project introduced the features of the mentoring programme and the organisation of a career office for students, the main purpose of which is to provide support and resources for students' career development and employment after graduation. 

The second day of the visit was dedicated to tutoring. A meeting was held with an accredited tutor, Ph.D., Eng. Marcin Landrat, during which got acquainted with the main teaching methods, goals and requirements for a tutor.

The chairman of the student organisation, Igor Ochojski, presented the activities of the organisation that takes care of exchange students at the Silesian University of Technology. The “student-to-student” model is an important component of tutoring and mentoring, especially for exchange students. The issues of attracting students to exchange programmes, their adaptation to local conditions and effective methods of support were discussed.

Professor Anna Chrobok presented the mentoring programmes launched by the university in secondary schools. Professor Aleksandra Buczynska-Ziembinska shared tools for promoting science and higher education, such as science night, science games, a dissertation in three minutes, and other events. 

The fourth day was devoted to interdisciplinary project-based learning (PBL), which involves students solving real-world problems by collaborating with representatives of different fields of knowledge. The main idea is to bring together students from different disciplines to achieve specific goals.

The Silesian University of Technology offers first-year students opportunities for internships, dual education, practical training and project-based learning. Students can acquire practical skills, communicate with highly qualified professionals and expand their knowledge. 

The last day of the visit began with a debriefing and discussion of the future trajectory of the project at the partner universities. During the teamwork, the participants exchanged ideas, shared experiences, and identified a vector for joining forces to implement a joint project.  

During the International Study Visit, meetings and discussions were held that contributed to the further development of the PROMENT project and strengthened cooperation between partner universities in the development of basic training and mentoring schemes, the establishment of T&M centres, the development of training materials and tools, and the training of teachers, students and business mentors.