Campus life [2026-06-22]

A Year Full of Joint Initiatives

— Editors

From designing murals and organizing workshops for young athletes, through bibliotherapy sessions in a paediatric ward, to consultations on water management and digital accessibility, these are just some of the outcomes of the activities carried out by student help desks during the past academic year.

The summary of the clinics' activities took place in the Nicolaus Copernicus University Main Auditorium. Around 40 people attended the event. The meeting provided an opportunity to share reflections on another year of operation, exchange experiences, and learn about initiatives implemented by the individual help desks.

A total of 110 students were involved in the work of the 11 help desks. Thirty-eight requests from residents of the region were submitted via an online form, while six development grants supported the implementation of new initiatives, enabling the organization of workshops, seminars, and other projects for local communities.

During the meeting, selected projects carried out by the help desks were presented. The Mural Design Helpdesk co-created projects with pupils from schools in Toruń and completed a mural in the space of the Student Activity Centre "Kotłownia." The Health Helpdesk conducted bibliotherapy sessions in the paediatric ward and carried out educational activities for various age groups. It also co-organized the MedPiknik health prevention event, in which the Synergy Helpdesk also participated by offering art therapy workshops.

The helpdesks also addressed the specific needs of the region's residents. The Water Management Helpdesk provided consultations on water resources, the Website Development Helpdesk supported organizations in the area of digital accessibility, and the Information Verification and Cyberpathology Prevention Helpdesk conducted seminars on cybersecurity.

The initiatives presented here are only a fraction of the activities carried out by the counseling centers over the past year. In total, the teams conducted dozens of projects, workshops, consultations, and events, responding to the needs of the local community and developing cooperation with numerous partners.

The past year also marked a new phase in the program's development. The network of student helpdesks adopted the name “WiedzoDzielnia" (“Knowledge Sharing Initiative"), which better reflects the idea of knowledge sharing, collaboration, and social engagement. The program is being developed as part of the European alliance YUFE (Young Universities for the Future of Europe), which supports student engagement and collaboration between universities and their local communities.

WiedzoDzielnia demonstrates that academic knowledge can have a real impact on the community. Students gain valuable experience, develop social and professional skills, and at the same time engage in activities that benefit the region's residents. It is precisely this combination of science, practice, and social responsibility that constitutes the program's greatest value," emphasizes mgr Hanna Tabisz, coordinator of the Nutrition helpdesk which operates as part of the Health Helpdesk.

“Leading cybersecurity workshops for seniors made me realize how the knowledge I've gained at university can address real social needs. Such meetings are inspiring and show just how much can be achieved by working together for the benefit of the local community," says Feliks Trembowiecki, an information architecture student active in the Information Verification and Cyberpathology Prevention Clinic.

The meeting was not only an opportunity to learn about the projects being carried out by the individual helpdesks, but also to discuss potential joint initiatives.

WiedzoDzielnia is an excellent example of the university's third mission in action. It combines academic knowledge with practical action, develops students' competencies, and at the same time builds lasting relationships between the university and its local community," concludes dr habil. Magdalena Barwiołek, NCU Prof. and Vice Rector for International Relations.