The year 2025 was a period of intensive activity, dynamic growth, and the implementation of numerous international initiatives for the International Relations Office of Opole University of Technology. The past twelve months brought many events, new projects, further mobilities, and significant achievements in the field of international cooperation.
January 2025 began with a special event dedicated to international students participating in the Erasmus+ programme. The ceremonial Erasmus Cup and Erasmus Oscars Gala took place, marking the culmination of students’ activities during the winter semester of the 2024/2025 academic year. The event not only served as a summary of their engagement in the academic and social life of the university but also provided an excellent opportunity to bid farewell to students who had completed a one-semester study period at Opole University of Technology.
In February, a delegation from Opole University of Technology visited one of its partners within the KreativEU consortium – Università di Camerino. The visit was carried out as part of the KATAMARAN project, funded by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA). Its aim was to learn about good practices and exchange experiences related to building cooperation in the field of double degree programmes. A particularly valuable aspect of the visit was the opportunity to benefit from the partner’s experience in cooperation with universities operating in different cultural contexts and educational systems.
Opole University of Technology also received further funding under the Erasmus+ programme (2025 call for proposals), enabling the implementation of student and staff mobilities, strengthening the university’s internationalisation and the development of competencies across the entire academic community.
March 2025, in line with annual tradition, was marked by recruitment interviews for students planning Erasmus+ mobility periods. This was the main recruitment round for international mobilities, preceded by intensive promotional activities conducted at the faculties of Opole University of Technology.
In April 2025, a new website of the International Relations Office was launched, becoming a modern and transparent source of information for students, staff, and international partners.
May was characterised by cultural and integration events. The second edition of the International Day at Opole University of Technology took place, featuring inspiring speakers and travellers sharing experiences from various parts of the world. The Connector Building was decorated with colourful kites imported from India, creating a unique international atmosphere.
June was a particularly eventful month with a strong international dimension. Two important conferences were held at the university: the 8th International Craft Conference CILRAID 2025 and the Erasmus Partnership Conference – EPiC 2025, which brought together experts, researchers, and practitioners from many countries. In the same month, another Erasmus Oscars and Erasmus Cup Gala took place, celebrating students and participants of the Erasmus+ summer semester.
July 2025 concluded the first phase of recruitment of international students for English-taught study programmes, during which 25 candidates from different parts of the world were admitted. At the same time, Erasmus+ mobility settlements were processed, and necessary certificates and documents, including Transcripts of Records, were issued to students who had completed their studies at Opole University of Technology.
As part of the intensification of international cooperation, the International Relations Office, in collaboration with the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, organised two Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs). These programmes were developed with the active involvement of partners associated within the European KreativEU alliance, who participated in the conceptual development of the programmes.
The first programme, implemented in cooperation with the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in June, was entitled “ECO-VISION FOR SUSTAINABLE CITIES: Integrating Water, Wastewater, and Energy in Line with New EU Standards” and focused on sustainable urban development in the context of new European Union regulations.
The second BIP, organised in July jointly with the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, was entitled “Gaza Strip Reconstruction – International Design Summer School” and addressed international design challenges related to the reconstruction of crisis-affected areas. Both programmes involved numerous students, including students of Opole University of Technology, creating an excellent space for integration with international students. Working in international project teams fostered experience exchange, the development of intercultural competencies, and a practical approach to solving real-world problems, thereby strengthening the international dimension of education at the university.
August was devoted to the preparation and submission of final reports for several projects funded under the Erasmus+ programme.
In September, a delegation from Opole University of Technology represented the university at EAIE 2025 – one of the largest and most important events dedicated to international education in Europe, bringing together representatives of universities, experts, and higher education practitioners from around the world. In the same month, another milestone event took place at Opole University of Technology – the first international hackathon in the university’s history. The Faculty of Computer Science, in cooperation with the International Relations Office, hosted the KreativHack OUTech Hackathon, organised from 17 to 19 September within the framework of the European KreativEU alliance. Students from eight partner universities from different countries participated in the event, working together on innovative artificial intelligence-based solutions supporting the protection and promotion of cultural heritage.
In October 2025, a delegation from Opole University of Technology visited China, paying a visit to Shandong Agriculture and Engineering University in Zibo – a partner institution with which OUTech has a signed cooperation agreement in the 3+1 double degree format in environmental engineering. During the visit, representatives of Opole University of Technology met with the rector of the partner university to discuss further steps towards strengthening academic and educational cooperation. Additionally, the OUTech delegation participated in the international scientific conference “2025 Conference on Green Agriculture and Engineering”, dedicated to sustainable development, green engineering, and modern solutions in agriculture and environmental protection.
In the same month, Opole University of Technology received confirmation of the positive evaluation of the Erasmus+ project GreenCampUz – Green Campus Initiative: Integrating Sustainable Development in Higher Education in Uzbekistan, implemented under Erasmus+ KA2 – Capacity Building in Higher Education, in cooperation with universities from Uzbekistan, Lithuania, and Turkey. In the project, Opole University of Technology acts as a partner, expert, and organiser of a training session scheduled for spring of this year.
In November 2025, the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) QUALITY MANAGEMENT was implemented at the university, bringing together representatives of partner universities within the KreativEU alliance. The programme served as an important platform for the exchange of knowledge, experience, and good practices. Participants took part in specialist workshops, practical and integration activities, as well as initiatives showcasing the regional cultural heritage of the Opole region.
The past year also brought success in the area of strategic projects. Opole University of Technology received funding from the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange under the programme “Support for European University Alliances”, which enabled the launch of the project OUTech@KreativEU: Competence Development and Mobility. The project is financed from the European Social Development Fund 2021–2027 (FERS).
Moreover, the International Relations Office, in cooperation with the University of Opole, prepared and submitted a project proposal to NAWA under the EURAXESS initiative, aiming to establish a contact point offering free information and comprehensive support for doctoral candidates and researchers from abroad. At the same time, in cooperation with representatives of the Faculty of Economics and Management, another proposal was developed under the “Welcome to Poland” programme. Its objectives include the establishment of a mobile contact point for international students, support for the university’s internationalisation, and the development of academic staff competencies. The university is currently awaiting the evaluation of both submitted proposals.
Throughout 2025, Opole University of Technology hosted international students from many countries around the world, who actively participated in the academic life of the university, contributing to its multicultural character. An important element of integration were two editions of Welcome Week, including numerous integration activities, trips, and events fostering relationship-building within the international student community.
Opole University of Technology also actively implemented outgoing student and staff mobilities under the Erasmus+ programme. A total of 49 students participated in short- and long-term study mobilities, while 6 students completed international traineeships. Staff mobility also played a significant role in the university’s internationalisation – in 2025, a total of 63 employees of Opole University of Technology participated in teaching and training mobilities abroad, developing their competencies and strengthening cooperation with international partners.
The year 2025 also brought the first mobilities to partner universities within the KreativEU alliance, involving both academic and administrative staff as well as students. This marked an important step in the practical implementation of the European University concept. Delegations from Opole University of Technology repeatedly participated in events organised by KreativEU partners, including conferences, workshops, working meetings, and academic and scientific initiatives. At the same time, regular online meetings of working groups were held to coordinate ongoing activities and define further cooperation priorities. Discussions focused, among others, on planning future international events, developing joint study programmes, educational and research initiatives, and strengthening mobility and engagement within the academic community. These activities confirm that KreativEU is not a one-off project, but a long-term process integrating Opole University of Technology into the European higher education area.
In summary, the past year was a period of intensive work, dynamic development, and consistent strengthening of Opole University of Technology’s position on the international stage for the International Relations Office. Numerous projects, mobilities, academic events, and integration initiatives confirmed the growing importance of internationalisation in the university’s development strategy. The experience gained in the past year and the projects already launched provide a solid foundation for further ambitious initiatives planned for 2026, aimed at deepening cooperation with international partners and developing the competencies of the entire academic community.
