The University of Opole is a dynamically developing public academic center established in 1994. It comprises twelve faculties and nineteen scientific institutes cooperating with other university units, which together form a dynamic, modern and versatile academic organism, with academic staff numbering 1000, and 750 of administrative and technical staff. The total number of students completing over 70 academic majors exceeds 8.500. The University confers licentiate, master, doctoral, and postdoctoral degrees. As an institution committed to the highest educational standards, the University of Opole continually expands its educational offer and develops its cooperation with academic and business partners based both in Poland and abroad.
In this way, the University gives its students numerous opportunities to participate in placement and exchange events within the frameworks of the Erasmus+ and Europa Master programmes. The University also has a rich offer for foreign students who want to get their degrees in Poland: six complete study programmes are offered in English, and the Summer School of Polish Culture and Language hosted by the Faculty of Philology prepares foreign students for certified language exams at all levels.
International cooperation and exchange are supported by such specialised branches of the University as Projects Management Centre, Office of Research and International Relations, Office of Communications and Public Affairs, Academic Affairs Office, Student Affairs Office, IT Centre, Continual Education Centre, Foreign Language Centre, and Centre for Eastern Partnership. All the faculties of the University participate in numerous international projects, representing such programmes as Jean Monnet, Horizon 2020, Visegrad Fund, National Science Centre (NCN), National Centre for Research and Development (NCBiR), and numerous regional grant frameworks. Within the KA107 framework, the University of Opole has started cooperating with over 40 academic schools from 21 countries reaching the sixth position nation-wide with regard to the amount of acquired funding.
The University is an institution with expertise in international cooperation and with staff experienced in international cooperation accounting, which is part of a broader 2021-2027 Developmental Strategy of the University focusing on projects with international partners and increasing the institution’s level of internationalisation. To meet the aims of UO Internationalisation Strategy 2022-2027, a number of actions are taken with focus on deepening cooperation with other European higher education institutions. This is possible thanks to the endeavours of the research staff experienced in project management, project coordination, teaching and vocational practice coordination, and ICT application.
The University of Opole cooperates in various fields with partners in Europe, Asia and America. Numerous research programmes are realized and scientific journals are published within the frameworks of international agreements. The cooperation includes scientific research issues, placements, doctoral studies, scholarships, language courses and student exchanges based on bilateral agreements. The development of the cooperation with other countries helps the University of Opole internationalise, broaden its educational offer and enhance its innovative character.
University of Opole is the member of European Universities FORTHEM Alliance, comprising 9 European HEI within Erasmus+ framework. With 75 years of academic tradition, the University of Opole has undergone significant institutional transformation in terms of embracing internationalization of research, building capacity and enhancing human capital through digitalization, especially in Social Sciences and Humanities, mostly as a result of its involvement in FORTHEM and FIT FORTHEM.