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The University of Warsaw recognizes as still valid its mission as a public utility institution formulated by its founders in 1816:
The University should not only maintain in the nation both learning and skills at the level they have already attained in the scholarly world, but also further develop and propagate them as well as apply their theory for the public good.
The University realizes its aim with the participation of the whole University community: its scholars, students and staff.
Since its establishment, the University’s community has written numerous pages in its history. It has produced many outstanding scholars and created famous scientific schools. It actively resisted armed force, organizing clandestine classes when the University was not allowed to function openly. Students and graduates have served Poland and the world. These proud annals are the school's continuing obligation.
The University of Warsaw belongs to the community of universities and accepts its universal aims, and its name is bound up with the capital of Poland. In response to the challenges arising from Poland's transformation, the new position of the country in Europe and the world and the education of a knowledge-based society, the University of Warsaw defines it mission as follows:
1. The basis of the University’s activity is the unity of teaching and research
The University brings together scholars from a variety of disciplines. It is the place of a diversity of scientific research. Young researchers in direct contact with teachers develop their research awareness and improve their methodological skills. At the same time, the University propagates multifaceted knowledge and sophisticated skills throughout society. New communication technology allows this propagation to take place regionally, nationally and worldwide.
The University offers undergraduate and doctoral studies, initiates interdisciplinary programmes, introduces new teaching techniques and organizes summer schools, postgraduate studies and vocational courses.
The high level of scientific research, its connection with the education of students and the diversity and attractiveness of its teaching will determine the position of the University in the country and in the world, and so decide the University’s future. The school seeks to be the best Polish university and a leading university in Europe, and it recognizes its particular responsibility toward Central and Eastern Europe.
2. The mission of the University within society is to guarantee access to knowledge and acquisition of skill to all who are entitled
Knowledge and education today decide the lot of people and entire nations. The University generates knowledge, allowing it to know and understand the surrounding world. Skills acquired by studying ensure high professional qualification and preparation for the proper fulfilment of public roles.
3. The civic mission of the University is the formation of those elites who will in their activities serve the “imperio rationis” rather than the “ratione imperii”
The University is a community of dialogue. The exchange of views, the clash of arguments, openness to new ideas and conceptions is bound up indissolubly here with respect for diversity and for personal dignity. In this way, the University develops its capacity for cooperation regardless of political, ideological or religious differences, and creates a model of public debate. The shaping of the civic attitudes of students is thereby combined with the development of their personalities.
4. The cultural mission of the University is a synthesis of universal and local values
In the emerging conflict between globalism and regionalism, a special role is to be played by institutions which succeed in combining universal techniques of communication and knowledge of universal significance, all the while maintaining respect for the historical and cultural identity of regions and states. The University, where many disciplines are cultivated, from mathematical and natural sciences to social and humanistic sciences, is a place where such a symbiosis exists naturally. The University is also an institution which assists the dialogue between the integrating societies of Western Europe and its Eastern neighbours.
The mission of the University of Warsaw, approved by the Senate, shall bind all members of its academic community. It is a signpost for its activities and the basis for University programmes. The University’s plans for development and the decisions of University authorities should be made with reference to it.
Departments include:
- Department of Geoecology
- Department of Climatology
- Department of Hydrology
- Department of Urban Geography and Spatial Management
- Department of Local Development and Policy
- Department of Geoinformation and Remote Sensing
- Department of Development Studies
- Department of Global Processes
http://www.wgsr.uw.edu.pl/
The Sendai Framework Voluntary Commitments (SFVC) online platform allows stakeholders to inform the public about their work on DRR. The SFVC online platform is a useful toolto know who is doing what and where for the implementation of the Sendai Framework, which could foster potential collaboration among stakeholders. All stakeholders (private sector, civil society organizations, academia, media, local governments, etc.) working on DRR can submit their commitments and report on their progress and deliverables.