Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin

Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS) in Lublin is the biggest publicly-funded university east of the Vistula river. As an institution with deep roots in the region, it has been fulfilling its culture- and opinion-forming role and significantly contributing to the creation of knowledge-based economy for nearly 70 years. Up to this date, our Alma Mater has produced over 210,000 graduates. Currently, we are educating over 24,000 undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate and doctoral students.

A comprehensive educational offer and rich experience are two of our advantages. Every year, we evolve by offering new programmes and introducing unique specializations. We provide education within 12 faculties in over 60 programmes and 200 specializations. In terms of active students' research associations in relation to the total number of students, UMCS ranks among the top institutions in the country, and unquestionably dominates in the region. Currently, there is over 80 such associations which embrace young people who put their enthusiasm and determination into organizing interesting initiatives.

Constantly increased is also the scientific and research potential of UMCS, among others thanks to European funding. We have modern laboratories and classrooms. We invest in infrastructure and upgrade our existing facilities. We have erected modern facilities and established new laboratories, such as the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management, the Institute of Computer Science, or the Functional Nanomaterials Centre at the Faculty of Chemistry. Recently, the university has also opened the Media and Art Incubator, a unique in Eastern Poland modern digital creation centre contributing to the dialogue between education, culture, art, and media. We have signed a MoU with TVP Lublin concerning joint media projects execution in the Incubator.

We also cooperate with many other institutions, local governments and enterprises, as well as with foreign partners from the EU and Ukraine, and recently also from China. Our efforts to align the education to job market needs have found recognition expressed by multiple awards and honours, such us: "Uczelnia Liderów" (School of Leaders), "Aurea Praxis", "Dobra Uczelnia - dobra praca" (Good University - Good Job). UMCS is also the winner of the "Najbardziej innowacyjna i kreatywna Uczelnia w Polsce w tworzeniu perspektyw zawodowych" (The most innovative and creative university in Poland in creating good employment perspectives) competition. Multiple times, we have co-organized important events in the life of the city and the region, just to mention "Dni Lubelskiej Wyżyny IT" (Days of the Lublin IT Upland) or "I Festiwal Chórów Miast Partnerskich Lublina" (I Lublin Partner Cities Choirs Festival).

UMCS stands out from other universities - not only in the region, but in the whole country - with its unique campus, located in the city centre and composed of didactic buildings, clubs, sport and cultural facilities. Complementing these are 9 student residence halls that in terms of functionality rank in the top of student accommodation in Poland.

Student cultural life is focused around the Academic Culture Centre "Chatka Żaka" and the Media and Art Incubator. Students can also use the facilities of the Physical Culture Centre, including among others a modern swimming pool meeting international standards. The Academic Sports Association of UMCS provides over 40 sports sections for students - so everyone can find an activity to their taste!

Students' life

UMCS is a modern university. Thus, it cannot function without students who are active in Student Union and master their skills in over 80 research-interest groups and student organisations. Such individuals develop their passions and place UMCS on high positions in various cultural and sport rankings not only in Lublin Province but also in Poland.

Student interest-research groups provide students with opportunities to broaden their knowledge that frequently exceeds programme syllabi. These units deal also with cultural and scientific activities and each student may become a member of such a body. Moreover, there are local representative offices of national and international student organisations, e.g. AEGEE, AIESEC Lublin, ESN Lublin, and NZS.

Management Board of the UMCS Student Union (ZUSS; www.samorzad.umcs.lublin.pl) cares for student welfare and participates in making decisions on undertaking ongoing student-related activities. The most important initiatives in which the SU is involved include "Kozienalia" (Student Culture Days in May), The Hazing, and bonding trips, i.e. Adapciak or Zimowisko. Furthermore, the Student Union organizes training courses and workshops in various fields. It also cares for implementing results of student teaching satisfaction surveys, organizes numerous cultural events, and carries out various projects.