The nationwide research and teaching conference entitled “Socially Responsible - Examples of Good Practice” was organized by the Rector’s Representative and the Social Responsibility Committee at WUM Medical University of Warsaw as well as the Fundamentals of Nursing Department at WUM.
On the importance of social responsibility borne by universities
– Whereas social responsibility is the third mission of every university, I am hoping that this conference will become a regular event – said professor Zbigniew Gaciong, Rector of WUM, at the opening of the conference, emphasizing that: – Social responsibility is particularly important for WUM because it is an integral part of the professions for which we are preparing our students and which are practiced by our teachers.
Edyta Krzych-Fałta, PhD, Rector’s Representative for University Social Responsibility: – We are proud to have been able to hold the first conference on good practice in the academic setting at WUM. The direction we are taking is defined by the UN sustainability goals, particularly by the goal to give healthy lives and well-being to everyone and to provide high quality education for everyone, lifelong learning. We want social responsibility to be a strong foundation of our University.
University social responsibility - good practice
A few days ago, a Catalog of University Social Responsibility Practices in Poland was published on the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy’s website. The document presents 146 practices implemented by 53 public and non-public universities in Poland. Jacqueline Kacprzak, PhD, representing the Ministry, discussed the details of the Catalog during the conference.
Every good practice in the Catalog is linked to three sustainability areas: environmental (E), social (S) and governance (G). Most practices were reported in the S category and fewest (15) in G. Interestingly, two of these originate from medical schools: WUM Medical University of Warsaw and Medical University of Białystok. WUM’s good practice encompasses equal pay, equal treatment, anti-mobbing and anti-discrimination.
Jacqueline Kacprzak emphasized that as universities, including medical universities, are forming future business leaders, they play an important role in raising their awareness of social responsibility and sustainable growth matters. Dr Kacprzak claims that medical universities may also support businesses operating in the healthcare sector in complying with responsible business standards, specifically respecting employee rights or transparency of operations.
Social Responsibility of Science and Research
Why is it important and why should it be incorporated in every research profess? Prof. Bolesław Samoliński, chairman of the Health Sciences Discipline Council, emphasized that science and research is playing a more prominent role in the world of politics and management of various areas today; he was also referring to the definition of Evidence Based Policy.
The speaker explained that the purpose of social responsibility of science and research is to make sure that scientific and technological progress is advantageous for the people. Another goal is to build the society’s trust in science and to encourage researchers to pursue their research for the common good.
Practicing science and research should include a lot of social responsibility aspects, such as responsibility for consequences, sustainable growth, problem solving, and educating the people. According to professor Samoliński, this is the most essential requirement: – If the people understand what science proposes and how reliable it is, its authority will grow. It will also ensure confidence in evidence-based policies, and the doctor-patient relationship will improve in terms of partnership – the professor said.
Socially responsible profile of WUM Medical University of Warsaw
The profile was presented by Edyta Krzych-Fałta, PhD hab., who first emphasized that throughout its 200-year tradition of teaching medicine, WUM has always aspired to achieve the highest possible quality, both in education, research, and offering a comprehensive profile of specialist medical services.
– People are at the center of our attention, regardless of age, in sickness and in health. The school is currently undertaking informed and proactive steps towards social responsibility, and since 2019 WUM has been among the signatories of the Declaration of Social Responsibility of Universities - said dr Edyta Krzych-Fałta.
Other speakers
Among the other speakers, there were university representatives for social responsibility and members of committees implementing the social responsibility claims. Speakers at the conference: Piotr Glen from SGH Warsaw School of Economics; Tomasz Zatoński, PhD hab., professor of UMW, Wrocław Medical University; Barbara Dembowska, PhD, professor of ANSB, State College of Applied Sciences in Skierniewice; professor Jerzy Stojko, Silesian Medical University; Anna Skuzińska, PhD, professor of the University, AMiSNS Academy of Applied Medical and Social Sciences in Elbląg.
Social Responsibility in Healthcare Leaders session
During a special session held during the conference, university teachers and students from our school and other schools spoke about the good practices they were implementing and about the measures undertaken by students. Among the speakers, there was Dominik Olejniczak, PhD hab., from the Public Health Department; Zofia Sienkiewicz, PhD, from the Nursing Development, Social and Medical Studies Department; Małgorzata Witkowska-Zimny, PhD hab., from the Human Anatomy Department; Anna Badowska-Kozakiewicz, PhD hab., from the Fundamentals of Cancer Department; Beata Sińska, PhD, from the Human Nutrition Department; professor Przemysław Dorożyński from the Drug Technology and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Institute and Department; Marzena Jaciubek, PhD, from the Basics of Nursing Department; Grażyna Bączek, PhD hab., from the Gynecology & Obstetrics Teaching Department; as well as students: Gabriel Pesta from StatMed study organization, Emilia Ciastoń, Marzena Jaciubek, Izabella Chwesiuk, Aleksandra Chlebowska, Maria Chojnacka from “Start from the basics” study organization, as well as Oksana Stępień and Grażyna Bączek from the Midwives study organization. There was also Paweł Sowa, PhD, and Maria Szlachta from the Medical University in Białystok, and Jakub Dudek and Katarzyna Syroka from the Warsaw University.
The best speeches delivered at the Leaders session were rewarded with the WUM Rector’s award: WUM Vindex Societatis Responsabilitatis Universitatis. The awards
- Emilia Ciastoń, Marzena Jaciubek, Izabela Chwesiuk, Aleksandra Chlebowska and Maria Chojnacka from “Start from the Basics” study organization at WUM - in the category of students, and by
- Paweł Sowa and Maria Szlachta from the Medical University in Białystok, representing the group of university teachers.
