Mobility of students and staff of higher education institutions supported by policy funds
A partnership project of Lazarski University (LU) and Georgian National University SEU as part of the KA171-2022 and 2024 project

Karol Jene, LU Programme Director of Management, Finance and Accounting went for a Teaching Mobility at SEU

Our academic staff member, Karol Jene, had a chance to conduct classes for SEU students of international economics as well as training for academic staff on PBL teaching techniques.

He also discussed the input of both institutions in a planned textbook on sustainable development for management students. Karol Jene's visit to SEU took place on 31.10-04.11.22.

Professor Ana Phirtskhslahsvili from SEU at Lazarski University

Professor Ana Phirtskhslahsvili, Vice-Rector for Scientific Research from Georgian National University SEU, has visited Lazarski University November 8-12.2022.

Means of encouraging young researchers to interact and expose their ideas as well as Problem-based Learning model (a very important part of modern educational system and a student-centered approach) were discussed closely.

The Professor also had the opportunity to get to know the Lazarski University campus, including JetZone 24, our flight simulator center. 

International conference organized by Lazarski University and Georgian National University SEU

On February 9th and 10th, Lazarski University together with partner Georgian National University SEU organizes an international conference, which will be a great opportunity for local researchers and decision-makers to discuss the results of modern academic research and present a wide range of issues related to migration in a European and international perspective.

The conference "European experience on migration - approaches, challenges and opportunities" will be attended by both experienced and young scientists, including lecturers of Lazarski University, who will give presentations on the following topics:

• Dr Krzysztof Beck: “Pay and Unemployment Determinants of Migration Flows in the European Union”; 
• Dr Karol Strzała, mgr Katarzyna Marton-Gadoś: “Human Trafficking in the Russia's war in Ukraine”; 
• Dr hab. Krzysztof Łazarski “Illegal immigration”; 
• Dr Adrian Chojan, Karolina Parjaszewska: “Migrations and higher education in Poland”; 
• Dr Karol Jene: “The impact of migration on European labour market”; 
• Dr Martin Dahl, mgr Zbysław Ziemacki: “Impact of international climate policy on migrations”. 

In addition, the Dean of Economics and Management, Dr. Martin Dahl, will officially open the conference and will be the moderator of discussion panels. 

We encourage you to participate in the conference online. You can find the full agenda here.

The students from SEU started a semester at Lazarski University!

On February 24, 2023 (Friday), the Orientation Meeting was held to launch the spring semester of the 2022/2023 academic year at Lazarski University. Georgian National University SEU students got the chance to meet Coordinators and Student Ambassadors of Erasmus+ at Lazarski University, members of the library, language centre, and Student Help Desk.

Following the formal part of the meeting, the Student Ambassadors took our guests for a walk around the University campus and a sight-seeing tour around interesting places in Warsaw. The highlight of the day was lunch in a restaurant with Polish cuisine, where they enjoyed dishes including famed Polish pierogis (dumplings) washed down with a lesser-known Polish fruity non-alcoholic drink called kompot (compote). From Monday, February 27, 2023, the students attend classes and learn from qualified specialists and practitioners.

Lazarski University would like to wish them success in developing their scientific interests.

The first weeks of SEU students at Lazarski University

At Lazarski University our incoming students from Georgia are currently taking classes devoted to Brand Management, Risk Management, Sales and Negotiations, Startup Management, Strategic Decision Making, Human Resources Management, Internet, Social Media and Marketing Research, Organisational Behaviour, Strategic Management, Conflict Resolution in Business, Innovations and Technology in Logistics, Social Media Marketing and Consumer Research.

The Polish side – on the otherhand – is learning how to prepare Georgian specialities. Thanks to the Georgian students we have a cookbook with pointers to 90 recipes. 

Visit of Professor Teona Maisuradze from Georgian National University SEU

This week, the Faculty of Economics and Management of Lazarski University hosted professor Teona Maisuradze from Georgian National University SEU as part of the KA171 Erasmus+ project.

 The possibilities of expanding cooperation and the PBL method were discussed. Our guest also met with students of her university, Grigori Movsesiani and Zurab Shatirishvili, who are currently on Erasmus+ mobility at LU. They compared the way of conducting classes at SEU and LU, student accommodation options, extra-curricular activities and Polish language classes. 

Students at Invisible Exhibition

Our incoming students spent an hour in the darkness to explore their other senses, besides sight. They passed through a series of rooms, e.g. an apartment, a country house or a restaurant. Darkness can initially cause anxiety, discomfort or even panic, but it is a natural reaction of the body. The guides understand this perfectly and subtly try to encourage you to let go.

There are 36 million blind people in the world and living without the most important sense is a real challenge. Our students felt what it is like to live in a world where you need to sharpen your hearing, vigilance, smell and watch your every step. More information about the Invisible Exhibition: https://niewidzialna.pl/en

Georgian Culture Day at Lazarski University

On 06.06.2023 the Georgian Culture Day was hosted at Lazarski University, organized by our incoming Erasmus+ students from Georgian National University SEU and Lazarski’s Foreign Language Centre.

Here’s a recap of the activities that unfolded during the event:

Exploring Georgian Culture, Quiz, and Presents for the Audience: Participants embarked on an immersive journey, delving into the fascinating traditions, customs, and arts that define Georgia. Through engaging presentations, they had the opportunity to discover the diverse aspects of Georgian culture. An interactive quiz tested their knowledge, offering an exciting chance to win presents and gifts.

Panel Discussion: Georgia-EU Relation: The second hour was dedicated to an insightful panel discussion centered around the relationship between Georgia and the European Union. Panelists shared their expertise, shedding light on the mutual interests, collaborations, and prospects. Attendees actively participated in the dialogue contributing their own perspectives.

Gastronomic Delight: Georgian Food and Drinks: The event concluded on a delicious note. Participants indulged their taste buds in a tantalizing degustation of authentic Georgian cuisine. The students from Georgian National University SEU prepared a mouthwatering selection of dishes, allowing everyone to experience the warmth of Georgian hospitality.

Georgian Day at Lazarski University was a remarkable initiative that showcased the beauty of Georgian culture.

Evaluation of the mobility of SEU students at Lazarski University

The end of Erasmus+ incoming student mobilities is approaching quickly. We have prepared an "Evaluation of the mobility of SEU students at Lazarski University" and kindly ask the students to complete it so that we know what to improve and what was appreciated by our guests.

The link to the questionnaire is to be found here: QUESTIONNAIRE

Participation of SEU’s Head of the Department of Foreign Languages in Erasmus+ Staff Week for Language Teachers at Lazarski University

Mrs. Nino Chikovani, Head of the Department of Foreign Languages at Georgian National University SEU took part in the event organized on June 19-23, 2023 by LU’s Erasmus+ Team together with the Foreign Language Centre of our university.

We hosted representatives also from France, Lithuania and Romania as part of this Staff Week for foreign language teachers. Event "How to combine a passion with language teaching" was full of workshops devoted to e.g. gamification, GPT Chat, sustainable living, strategies for building positive relationships with students or mediation in CEFR. Participants could also get acquainted with tactile teaching methods while preparing Polish dumplings.

The cultural element is very important in Erasmus+ and academic teachers from the University of Craiova, Politehnica University Timisoara, Georgian National University SEU and Mykolas Romeris University visited the Norblin Factory, the Old Town as well as the Royal Baths Park. 

It was a week of sharing knowledge, networking and forging ideas for new projects!

Student Evaluation Results

In the summer semester 2022/2023 we hosted 4 students from SEU. Recently, students who completed their Erasmus+ mobility with us filled out a survey in which they referred, among others, to: the classes and the activities in which they participated.

We are pleased to inform you that they assessed their experience with Lazarski University highly. For example, in the open-ended question “What was your favorite subject? Please elaborate why this one” the incoming students replied:

• "Brand management. Szymon Kukanow's professional teaching skills made a significant impact on my experience in the brand management class. He has a unique teaching style, using interactive methods, real-world examples, or case studies that made the class more interesting and practical.  His ability to share insights, industry knowledge, and practical tips have made the class even more valuable and enriching.”
• “All of them were equally good.”
• “My favorite subject was Innovations and technology in logistics, I've learned the most out of this subject. also, I have to say a few words about project management and sales and negotiations classes, which are very interesting and plentiful."
• “Strategic management my favorite one, because of the method of teaching the lecturer had. He was very professional and helpful.”

We are sure that the following professors appreciate the replies from the students:

• Project Management – Anastasiia Menshykova
• Sales and Negotiations – Arco Van Ieperen
• Brand Management - Szymon Kukanów
• Strategic Management – Muhammad Kamran
• Innovation and Technology in Logistics – Aleksandra Laskowska-Rutkowska

To the question “How would you describe your interaction with local students? Did you make any long-lasting friendships?” the students replied:

• “I thoroughly enjoyed my experience as an Erasmus program student, and my interactions with local students were nothing short of amazing. The connections I formed with the local students were truly remarkable, leaving a lasting impression on me.”
• “I made some friends from LU family which I'm grateful for.”

For the open-ended question “Did you participate in any extracurricular activities or student organizations? If yes, please share your experiences.” - “I was part of the event planning for a project management class, also me and my Georgian friends organized Georgian Culture Day in LU.”

We are glad that the students from SEU enjoyed their experience with us and for the question “Would you recommend our university as a destination for future exchange students? Why or why not?” they provided the following answers:

• “I would like to thank Lazarski University for an unforgettable experience and for the opportunity to participate in the Erasmus+ project. The Erasmus+ program was a unique experience for me, thanks to it, I found new friends, gained new skills, and felt myself as a part of a global educational society. My experience in Poland under the Erasmus+ program was not only academic but also personal growth. I learned more about myself, my opportunities and I adapted to new situations and challenges.”
• “I would recommend Lazarski to my friends because of its teaching methods.”
• “I would absolutely recommend this university to everyone, truly the best place to develop and earn so much knowledge about lots and lots of subjects.”

Georgian National University SEU students memorable Erasmus+ experience at Lazarski University

Our four Erasmus+ students from Georgian National University SEU had an incredible semester at Lazarski University, filled with exciting adventures.

They were visited by their professors, Teona Maisuradze and Nino Chikovani, who provided valuable guidance and support throughout their academic journey, strengthening the connection between their home university and Lazarski University.

They also took part in events organized by LU, such as the Easter fair, fashion show or animal shelter fundraising.

Additionally, they organized the Georgian National Day, showing their culture through music, dance, and food, encouraging cross-cultural understanding, and creating lasting friendships.Incoming student from SEU, Tamari Gamrekeli, will stay another semester at LU – upon her request and consent from both institutions. In the own words she wishes “to express my utmost gratitude for the incredible opportunity I had to participate in the Erasmus program at Lazarski University. My time here has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I am truly grateful for the invaluable experiences and knowledge I have gained. The professors and staff have been incredibly supportive, fostering an environment conducive to learning and personal growth. I've been participating in event planning and organizing a Georgian culture day with my friends. Moreover, the international atmosphere at Lazarski University has allowed me to build connections with fellow students from different backgrounds, fostering cross-cultural understanding and creating lifelong friendships. Warsaw has become my second home, and I have been captivated by its vibrant culture, rich history, and welcoming atmosphere. The warm and inclusive environment of Lazarski University has greatly contributed to my personal and academic growth. I am truly grateful for the opportunity I have had to be part of this remarkable institution, and I cannot express enough how much I long to return for another semester of immersive learning and unforgettable experiences.”

Another incoming student from SEU, Zurab Shatirishvili, received a scholarship from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and he will spend the next academic semester in the United States.

Grigori Movsesiani, who was also an exchange student from SEU under KA171 project, wrote to the Erasmus+ Office at LU to express his appreciation for the invaluable experience: “My time spent studying at Lazarski University in Poland was truly life-changing, and I wanted to take a moment to convey my heartfelt thanks. The Erasmus+ program provided me with an opportunity to immerse myself in a different academic and cultural environment, one that enriched my personal and professional development in ways I could have never imagined. Through this program, I was able to forge lifelong friendships, acquire new skills, and foster a sense of belonging within a global educational community. During my time in Poland, I not only gained academic knowledge but also underwent a significant personal transformation. The challenges and new situations I encountered helped me discover more about myself, my abilities, and my untapped potential. I cannot express enough how much I cherished my time at Lazarski University. The dedicated faculty and staff, the welcoming environment, and the vibrant student community made my study abroad experience truly unforgettable. The quality of education I received and the cultural immersion I enjoyed have left an indelible mark on my academic journey. I have fallen in love with Poland and the warm-hearted Polish people. The country's beauty, its traditions, and the unique experiences I had while living there have left me yearning to return. I am forever grateful for the support, guidance, and encouragement I received throughout the program. The Erasmus+ experience has not only broadened my horizons but also given me the confidence to pursue further international opportunities. Thank you for making my Erasmus+ journey so memorable and impactful.”

Congratulations to our Georgian students on a successful Erasmus+ mobility! Their time at Lazarski University will always hold a special place in our hearts, as we continue to embrace the transformative power of international education and cultural exchange.

Tamari's Extended Semester Stay

We are delighted to announce that Tamari Gamrekeli, an enthusiastic Erasmus+ student, has chosen to prolong her academic journey at our university for an additional semester. This decision reflects her dedication to both her studies and her experience in Poland.

In the upcoming fall semester 2023/2024, Tamari will dive into a diverse range of subjects, demonstrating her commitment to gaining a well-rounded education and fostering a deeper understanding of the local culture. Her course load will include:

• Research Methods: Strengthening her analytical skills.
• Accounting: Gaining financial expertise.
• Business Performance Management: Exploring strategies for organizational success.
• Operations Management: Learning about efficient processes.
• Polish Language Course: Further immersing herself in the local culture.
• Strategic Management: Exploring the art of long-term planning.
• Management of Technology Innovation and Creativity: Nurturing a grasp of technological advancements and fostering innovative thinking.

Our university is thrilled to have students like Tamari who embody the essence of the Erasmus+ program, fostering intercultural exchange and enhancing global perspectives.

Tamari claims that for now:

“Everything’s going perfectly, I love all of the classes, and I can’t thank you enough for letting me be here. I enjoy University a lot, finally got my plans, I’m excited to start the Polish Language course and of course city is immaculate as always.”

We wish her all the best for the upcoming semester and the exciting educational journey that lies ahead.

We are maintaining contact with our former incoming students from SEU!

Zurab Shatirishvili has visited Lazarski University on April 17, 2024 to deliver a CV Writing Workshop. He is active in many youth organizations and founded a non-profit, The EDGE - Education and Development for Global Empowerment. They help students and young people worldwide to have access to quality education and develop various career skills.

During his CV Writing Workshop for LU students he shared practical information, standards and ways to create resumes for European and American markets. Student Help Desk and Erasmus+ Team were engaged in organized the event. The participants received a certificate of attendance afterwards. 

Last mobility under the KA171 2022 project

At the beginning of July 2024, the last mobility under the KA171 project with SEU took place - Natalia Głowacka from Lazarski University’s Faculty of Economics and Management went to Tbilisi. It was hosted by the SEU’s Department of Foreign Languages. Our academic staff member considers the mobility to be very special.

“Every day was filled with several hours of meetings in the form of lectures, academic debates, presentations on teaching methodology, technology in teaching, soft skills, and online teaching. We worked – daily – with language for special purposes in the fields of psychology, law, tourism, international relations and IT, within a group of a dozen or so lecturers as well as students of psychology, international relations and business, with whom I had the opportunity to conduct classes. I came equipped with new teaching methods, but I also feel that SEU could have benefited from our university practices by listening with the greatest attention. The hospitality in Tbilisi, at the university, but also in every other place in the city, is heartwarming.”

A beautiful ending to the entire mobility project.