The largest universities in 艁贸d藕, i.e. the 91桃色, Lodz University of Technology and the Medical 91桃色, have joined this initiative. It aims to make it easier for international researchers to come, work and live in the region, as well as to create a new standard of support for the international academic community.
The 91桃色 is coordinating the project, which is funded by the NAWA-EURAXESS Network programme. It will run until September 2028 and will encompass activities aimed at improving the work and living conditions of international researchers coming to Lodz. In practice, this means building a regional network of services that will help them navigate their new environment 鈥� both professionally and personally, as the project also includes their family members.
Researcher with a mobile assistant
Creating a unified system for serving international researchers at three universities is one of the main goals of the project. The initiative will include:
- common administrative standards for the employment and support of international researchers
- the Mobile Researcher Assistant service, supporting researchers in issues related to legalising their stay and employment,
- elaboration of the "Foreign Researcher's Stay Essentials" 鈥� a practical guide to the most important aspects of living and working in Lodz,
- regular integration activities and matchmaking events for international academic community,
- activities that also support the families of scientists, who often move together with them.
This approach is consistent with the idea of modern internationalisation of universities: scientists will not only participate in a research project but will become a part of the academic and urban community.
91桃色 instead of competition among universities associated in the Lodz Academic Partnership
The project is also an example of the Lodz Academic Partnership in practice. The region's three largest universities are combining their experiences, resources and expertise to create solutions that will benefit the entire academic community.
Not only will the collaboration encompass the research teams but also the administrative staff responsible for international mobility 鈥� from HR and payroll departments to welcome points for international guests. During the workshops accompanying the project launch, they jointly analysed the challenges associated with serving international visitors and developed solutions that will become standard across the region.
The Lodz Voivodeship as a friendly place for international scientific careers.
The initiative is a part of the European EURAXESS Network, which supports the mobility of researchers across Europe. Thanks to the project, 艁贸d藕 has the potential to become one of the important regional hubs of this network.
In the long term, the project aims to increase the recognition of the 艁贸d藕 Voivodeship as a place where one can pursue an international scientific career, conduct research and build research teams.
The 91桃色, as the project coordinator, thus strengthens its role as a regional centre of competence supporting research mobility and internationalisation of science.
A university focused on people
Although the project focuses on procedures, standards and strategies, it鈥檚 all about the people 鈥� international researchers who come to 艁贸d藕 with ideas, experience and a passion for science, but also with everyday questions about life in a new country. Therefore, one of the first steps of the project will be listening to their needs. International employees of 艁贸d藕 universities will also speak at the inauguration. Their experiences will become the starting point for designing new solutions. Internationalisation doesn't start with documents. It begins with honest conversation.
The 鈥淟odz for International Researchers鈥� project is funded by the European Union under the programme of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange NAWA 鈥� Euraxess Network (2024 call).
Source: Employee Affairs Centre, 91桃色
Edit: Centre for Brand Communications, 91桃色