NCU News
Events: June 2025
A New Zealand perspective on ecology
The Institute of Psychology at UMK invites you to a guest lecture by Professor Taciano Milfonta from the University of Waikato in New Zealand.
The talk will take place on 3 June at 5 p.m. in the Institute's building at 39 Gagarin Street in room 103. The topic of the lecture is: 'Tracking environmentalism through time: Insights from the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study.'
Prof Taciano Milfont is head of the Environmental Psychology Lab at the University of Waikato (New Zealand). His output includes publications in top journals in social and environmental psychology (h-index = 83, total citations = 28,212). He has served as co-lead editor for the Journal of Environmental Psychology and Environment and Behavior, is a founding member of the Association for Psychological Science and the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, and participated in the American Psychological Association's 2022 Climate Change Task Force. He is currently a visiting professor at Nicolaus Copernicus University, where he conducts research in environmental psychology in collaboration with Dr Adrian Wójcik, Professor at UMK.
Abstract: The New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study (NZAVS) is an ongoing 20-year longitudinal panel study of over 70,000 New Zealanders. Led by Professor Chris Sibley at the University of Auckland, the NZAVS began in 2009 and has produced more than 300 peer-reviewed publications. It provides extensive insights into societal trends and informs both academic research and public policy by tracking social, political, religious, health, and psychological variables over time. In this talk, I will provide an overview of NZAVS publications documenting changes in environmentalism among New Zealanders. This research has examined trajectories of climate change beliefs over time, socio-psychological predictors of pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours, links between support for human rights and environmentalism, Indigenous (Māori) perspectives on intrinsic connections with nature, and the ‘clean and green’ national identity in New Zealand. These findings highlight the value of longitudinal research in advancing environmental psychology and fostering broad public support for environmental protection.
Mystery Friend: Mystery Mugs
The Amicus Universitatis Nicolai Copernici Foundation and Nicolaus Copernicus University invite the UMK community and the citizens of Toruń to an integration workshop under the theme "Mystery Friend".
"Mystery Friend" is a series of monthly integration meetings. Each meeting is a new challenge and a chance to grow in an atmosphere of intercultural exchange and social education. The aim of the project is to integrate the entire academic community and citizens of Toruń. Several events have already taken place under the slogan "Mystery Friend", including workshops on painting mystery portraits, cooking together and creating bird feeders and birdhouses.
The last meeting of this academic year is "Mystery Mugs." A key element in the decoration of the mugs will be a touch of mystery - each mug will come with a secret hint about the style of its decoration. At the end, participants will work together to guess the concepts hidden behind the decorations. The workshop will be held on June 5 at 5:00 pm at the Copernican Integration Center, registration is required.
More information
Staff Engagement for Social Impact
“University-Community Engagement for Staff: What’s in it for me?” is a focused online event offering three short, hands-on sessions for university leaders, academic teachers and administrative staff.
The training explores practical ways universities can strengthen their social role – through institutional strategies, student-led service initiatives, and community-engaged research. Whether you're just starting or looking to expand your efforts, this event provides tools and inspiration to help integrate engagement into your everyday academic or professional practice.
When?
13 June 2025, 9:00 - 11:00 CET
For Whom?
University Leaders, Academic Teachers, Administrative Staff - anyone interested in linking their work with community impact.
Where?
MS Teams
The link will be provided upon registration
Registration is open until 11 June: https://virtualcampus.yufe.eu/p/course/Kp34IqQwo8psfDWC
Participants will receive a certificate of attendance.
9:00 – 10:00
Bojana Ćulum Ilić, University of Rijeka
‘University–Community Engagement Training for Staff: Why Should I Care?’
Discover the benefits and opportunities of engagement training designed specifically for university staff and academics.
10:00 – 10:30
Eva Van Moer, University of Antwerp
‘Science Shop: Fostering Community-Engaged Student Research’
Learn how to support meaningful student research that addresses real-world community needs.
10:30 – 11:00
Agnieszka Marczak, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
‘Service-Learning Help Desks: Boosting Student Engagement & Social Impact’
See how structured support for service-learning can increase student motivation and community impact.
Training organised within YUFE 2030. Learn more: https://www.yufe.eu/community-engagement.
Picnic with HR
On June 26, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., the third edition of the HR Picnic will take place at the Copernicus Integration Center. The event is open to all employees of Nicolaus Copernicus University.
This year's program includes many attractions, such as a coffee meeting with university authorities, a quiz entitled "How well do I know NCU?", fitness classes, and exercises for a healthy spine. During the event, participants will have the opportunity to take competency and personality tests. There will also be a 'sweet corner', a relaxation zone, and small gifts for participants.
The HR picnic will be accompanied by a "University Rhymes" contest. Rhymes/poems can be submitted until June 25 to hr@umk.pl. The best entries will be selected during the event.
50 years of the NCU Polar Station in photos
The Nicolaus Copernicus University Polar Station is organising a photo exhibition entitled “50 Years of the Nicolaus Copernicus University Polar Station on Spitsbergen.” The exhibition will open on June 27 at 6:00 p.m. at Spitsbergen Kunstnersenter, Artists Center (vei 100.2, Longyearbyen, Svalbard).
In the 2024/2025 academic year, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń will celebrate a triple anniversary: the 80th anniversary of the University, the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Medical Academy in Bydgoszcz, and the 20th anniversary of its merger with Nicolaus Copernicus University and the establishment of the Collegium Medicum. However, these are not the only reasons to celebrate. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the Nicolaus Copernicus University Polar Station on Spitsbergen. It was on June 27, 1975, on Kaffiøyr, that the first Toruń Polar Expedition began, which marked the start of the activities of one of the oldest and most recognisable Polish research stations in the Arctic.
On this occasion, a photo exhibition entitled "50 Years of the Nicolaus Copernicus University Polar Station on Spitsbergen" has been prepared. The works on display show the history, everyday life, and uniqueness of the Toruń Station - a place that for many has become not only a space for scientific work, but also a second home, a place created with passion, commitment, and dedication.
The exhibition will be open until September 5, 2025.
Night Bike Rally with NCU Alumni Programme
The NCU Alumni Programme and the Skołowani Cycling Club invite you to the traditional night bike ride organised on the weekend of June 28-29. Alumni and one accompanying person may participate in the event.
The meeting point for participants is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. at the NCU Auditorium (Gagarina 11 St.). In addition to the traditional search for the fern flower, the program includes games and activities to promote team building, as well as a bonfire (participants are responsible for their own food; the organisers will provide sticks and a grill for cooking over the fire). It will also be an opportunity to listen to a forester's stories about beekeeping and wild bees.
Registration is open until June 26. All registered participants will receive commemorative pins. Participation is free of charge (insurance is not provided). The route is approximately 26 km long (UMK Auditorium - Gutowo Forest District, Zławieś Wielka municipality).
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