UCM in Trnava welcomed again this year the participants of the popular international event. This year's event focused on topics such as micro-qualifications, cooperation between academia and practice and current trends in tertiary education.
From 9 to 13 December 2024, participants from different European countries took part in the programme. The Department of International Relations prepared interesting activities and lectures involving not only UCM representatives but also the participants themselves. "Staff Week at our university was an exceptional opportunity to expand the horizons of international cooperation and to gain new impulses for education and research. We believe that the event was an inspiring experience for all participants," said Nikoleta Vanková from the Department of International Relations and one of the organizers of the event.
A programme full of inspiration
The first day of Staff Week started with the official opening and presentations of the Staff Week participants. In the afternoon, Associate Professor Anna Ivanova from the University of St. Cyril and Methodius in Veliko Tarnovo presented the OpenEU European Alliance project with an emphasis on micro-skills.
On the second day there was a workshop Building a personal brand through micro-skills, led by Mgr. Rastislav Zábojník, PhD., from FMK. One of the other lectures at Staff Week was a presentation on Bridging the gap between the translation academy and the industry, led by Associate Professor Katarína Welnitzová and Dr. Jakub Absolon from the Faculty of Arts, UCM. The lecture focused on identifying the differences between the academic education of translators and the needs of the market. The main aim was to provide recommendations on how to bring the educational process closer to the real requirements of the industry, and thus increase the readiness of graduates for a professional career.
Developing education
Wednesday was held at the Faculty of Mass Media Communication, where the discussion was about micro-qualifications in Slovakia and their importance for the education system. Experts from the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic and the Faculty of Natural Sciences presented their findings. The third day of Staff Week also included a presentation on CRP self-testing: a tool for detecting infections, led by Dr. Dominika Vešelényiová and Dr. Eva Ürgeová from the Faculty of Natural Sciences of UCM. The lecture focused on the possibilities of using CRP testing as a quick and effective tool to identify infections. Not only technological aspects but also potential benefits for healthcare were presented.
The topic Microcredits in Bulgarian Higher Education was presented by Venelina Todorova from the University of St. Cyril and Methodius in Veliko Tarnovo. The lecture provided an insight into the implementation of micro-credentials in the Bulgarian education system, their challenges and benefits for students and employers. There was a strong emphasis on international cooperation and sharing of best practices.
On the fourth day, the participants visited Piestany and had the opportunity to visit the premises of the Faculty of Health Sciences and take a city tour. The event culminated on Friday morning with a final reflection and farewell meeting.
In addition to the professional programme, the participants had the opportunity to discover the cultural beauties of Trnava and Piešt'any, including a visit to the Christmas market. Networking over shared dinners was an important aspect for developing new partnerships. The International Staff Week 2024 at UCM once again confirmed the importance of international cooperation in the higher education environment and set the foundations for future cooperation.
Virtual programme
For those who were unable to come to Trnava, the organizers have prepared online lectures. Peter Murár from FMK led a webinar on Smart Office: 10 hacks to improve computer work. Participants learned how to use artificial intelligence when working with Excel, PowerPoint, tracking tasks or delegating and simplifying document feedback processes. The second online event, a workshop with Václav Kupec from FSV on Tertiary education in the context of changes in the public sector, focused on the link between tertiary education and the public sector.
