The Polish Accreditation Committee evaluated the International Relations studies at Collegium Civitas and our university was granted a positive assessment.
“The report of the Polish Accreditation Committee is not only an external and completely objective assessment of the functioning of the study field of International Relations at Collegium Civitas, but also a collection of valuable and constructive guidelines for further improvement of the academic processes at our university” – said Prof. Stanisław Mocek, Rector of Collegium Civitas, referring to the assessment of the Polish Accreditation Committee.
The Polish Accreditation Committee took into account, inter alia, the design and implementation of the study program, the admission and the methods of verifying the skills and knowledge of students.
The following aspects were also assessed:
- competences, experience and qualifications of the teaching staff, its development and improvement;
- infrastructure and educational resources used in the implementation of the study program and their improvement;
- cooperation with the socio-economic environment in the design, implementation and improvement of the study program and its impact on the development of the field of study;
- internationalization of the education process in the field of study;
- supporting students in learning, social, scientific or professional development and entering the labor market.
The detailed program evaluation criteria also included: public access to information about the study program, the conditions for its implementation and the results achieved, as well as the quality policy, design, approval, monitoring, review and improvement of the study program.
“Innovative solutions, such as cooperation in the field of International Relations with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) was also taken into account. Together with UNITAR we have created a unique and interdisciplinary Master’s degree programme in Strategic Peace & Conflict Studies (SPACS). It is based on the experience and know-how of both institutions and is the first programme of this type in Poland and one of the few in Europe” – explains Prof. Mocek. The Rector points to other advantages of the study programmes in International Relations, such as the possibility of choosing an individual study path, or the possibility pursuing double degree studies (among the partner universities: West Virginia University, USA).
The Rector also highlights the variety of specializations offered in English and Polish language of instruction within the field of study, such as: International Security Studies, Media, Diplomacy and International Negotiations, English Studies, International Business and Marketing, International Business and Negotiations and more.
A significant part of the classes is conducted in the form of workshops, during which participants have the opportunity to prepare their own projects, presentations, learn how to negotiate, present hypotheses and engage in research. Lecturers use innovative teaching methods, such as strategy games and Oxford debates. In the field of International Relations, Collegium Civitas offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes. Prof. Paweł Dobrowolski, Head of the Department of International Relations at Collegium Civitas, talks about another important fact that distinguishes our studies: “The lecturers in International Relations at Collegium Civitas are truly a unique mix: they are both recognized academics and practitioners, such as former Polish ambassadors.”
Students learn from practitioners of diplomacy and international relations – former and current ambassadors of Poland, members of the Polish and European Parliament, advisers to many international institutions, researchers and experts in various fields of international relations. Young people use the knowledge gained during the lectures in practice during seminars, analyze case studies and prepare projects.