Staff Week & Blended Intensive Programme
| Začiatok (dátum, čas): | 12. 5. 2025, 0:00 |
| Koniec (dátum, čas): | 16. 5. 2025, 0:00 |
| Usporiadateľ: | EMERGE |
Engaged and Collaborative Learning
Community Engagement through Arts and Culture Service-Learning in Higher Education Engaged and Collaborative Learning
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Monday 12 May 2025 Venue: UMB Welcome Hub, Tajovského 40, Banská Bystrica |
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09.00 – 09.30 |
Welcome coffee |
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09.30 – 10.00 |
Opening of the Staff Week Word of welcome, presentation of participants, sharing expectations Prof. Katarina Chovancova, Vice-Rector EMERGE, Matej Bel University |
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10.00 – 10.45 |
Dr. Vina Ballgobin, University of Mauritius |
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10.45 – 11.15 |
Coffee break |
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11.15 – 12.00 |
European Values and the way we view democracy Assoc. Prof. Inge Sieben, Tilburg University, The Netherlands (online) |
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12.00 – 13.00 |
Lunch |
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13.00 – 14.00 |
Dr. Martina Kubealaková, Dr. Zuzana Bariaková, Matej Bel University |
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14.00 – 14.30 |
Coffee break |
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14.30 – 16.00 |
Service-learning in Higher Education – Engaged and Collaborative Learning (Part I) Assoc. Prof. Alžbeta Brozmanová Gregorová, Matej Bel University |
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17.00 – 18.00 |
A guided walk in the city centre of Banska Bystrica |
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Tuesday 13 May 2025 Venue: UMB Faculty of Education, Ružová 13, Banská Bystrica |
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09.00 – 10.30 |
Service-learning in Higher Education – Engaged and Collaborative Learning (Part II) – Room A103 Assoc. Prof. Alžbeta Brozmanová Gregorová, Matej Bel University |
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10.30 – 10.45 |
Coffee break |
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10.45 – 12.15 |
Service-learning in Higher Education – Engaged and Collaborative Learning (Part III) – Room A103 Assoc. Prof. Alžbeta Brozmanová Gregorová, Matej Bel University |
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12.15 – 13.00 |
Lunch |
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13.00 – 15.00 |
Living Libraries – discussion with teachers from UMB involved in service-learning projects Rooms A103 and A106 |
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18.00 – 20.00 |
Akademická Banská Bystrica: Opening Concert of the Festival Venue: UMB Faculty of Economics, Tajovského 10, B. Bystrica, Ceremonial Aula |
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Wednesday 14 May 2025 Venue: UMB Faculty of Education, Ružová 13, Banská Bystrica |
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09.00 – 10.30 |
Service-learning in Higher Education – Engaged and Collaborative Learning (Part IV) – Room A103 Assoc. Prof. Alžbeta Brozmanová Gregorová, Matej Bel University |
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10.30 – 10.45 |
Coffee break |
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10.45 – 12.15 |
Circles in motion workshop: a collective dance experience Dr. Beata Žitniaková Gurgová, Matej Bel University |
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12.15 – 13.00 |
Lunch |
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13.00 – 16.00 |
Visiting community partners Venue: Senium, Jilemnického 1710 – UMB Welcome Hub, Tajovského 40 |
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16.00 – 17.00 |
Storytelling as an Academic Tool to Advance Educational Transformation Dr. Palina Louangketh, Idaho Museum of International Diaspora (online) |
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18.00 – 20.00 |
ABB Festival concert and Competition in Sacred Music Venue: Farský kostol Nanebovzatia Panny Márie, Námestie Š. Moyzesa 48, Banská Bystrica |
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Thursday 15 May 2025 Venue: UMB Faculty of Education, Ružová 13, Banská Bystrica |
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09.00 – 10.00 |
Velfies as Strategies of Reflection in Service-Learning – Room A103 Dr. Loredana Manasia, Polytechnic University of Bucharest, Romania |
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10.00 – 10.30 |
Coffee break |
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10.30 – 12.00 |
Service-learning in Higher Education – Engaged and Collaborative Learning (Part V) – Room A103 Assoc. Prof. Alžbeta Brozmanová Gregorová, Matej Bel University |
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12.00 – 13.00 |
Lunch |
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13.00 – 14.00 |
Service-learning in Higher Education – Engaged and Collaborative Learning (Part VI) – Room A103 Assoc. Prof. Alžbeta Brozmanová Gregorová, Matej Bel University |
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14.00 – 14.30 |
Coffee break |
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14.30 – 16.00 |
Reflections and feedback from the week trough creative arts – Atelier of the Faculty of Education Dr. Katarína Kurčíková, Matej Bel University |
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18.00 – 20.00 |
ABB Closing galaconcert of the festival Venue: Gymnázium Andreja Sládkoviča, Komenského 18, Banská Bystrica |
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Friday 16 May 2025 Venue: 365.labb, Lazovná 5, Banská Bystrica |
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09.30 – 11.30 |
Individual consultations – planning service-learning courses Assoc. Prof. Alžbeta Brozmanová Gregorová, Dr. Žaneta Lacová, Prof. Katarína Chovancová, Matej Bel University |
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11.30 – 12.00 |
Closing of the staff week |
Staff Week & Blended Intensive Detailed Programme
Community Engagement through Arts and Culture
Workshops and speakers
Fostering Global Citizenship through Learning for Sustainability: University Arts in Community Engagement
Learning for sustainability (LfS) encompasses holistic, interdisciplinary experiences that equip learners with essential sustainability competences (European Commission, 2024). Recognizing the importance of fostering citizenship and promoting cultural diversity in the "new normal" (Zenasni, 2025), this study explores how LfS contributes to broader learning outcomes enabling students at the University of Mauritius (UOM), a public university in a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) in the Indian Ocean, to become global citizens. The UOM initiated extracurricular activities in the year 2000 to facilitate a transition towards sustainable development goals, with community engagement becoming part of university policy two decades later. Formally, emphasis is placed on industry-university liaison and the development of education for sustainable development programmes. Extracurricularly, students engage in cross-disciplinary projects to enhance self-development, teamwork, intercultural competences, ethics, and values (Jhurry, 2019). Usually, language and humanities students are primarily involved in Arts based community engagement projects on a smaller scale compared to other initiatives. The presentation provides insights into the use of Arts-based community engagement activities for LfS in a SIDS higher education context and highlight key areas that would require strengthening.
Born on the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, D. Vina Ballgobin is a graduate from Sorbonne University, Paris 3, holding a “Diplôme d’Etudes Approfondies” in “Didactologie des Langues et des Cultures”. Since joining the University of Mauritius in year 2000, she has established herself as a published scholar. She has authored or co-authored several journal articles and book chapters spanning Teaching and Learning, Intercultural Education, Music history, Environmental studies, Heritage preservation and Women’s studies. Her recent contribution includes the 2024 chapter entitled “Le Morne Brabant : Quelles perspectives pour l’éducation interculturelle ? » in the book Les Esclavages en Afrique, at the prestigious French publishing house Karthala, known for its focus on international issues related to the South. She is a regular contributor to the esteemed journal, Revue Historique de l’océan Indien, located in Reunion Island. Her last conference publication is entitled « Découvrir et Approprier le sens d’une pièce performative : Marronnage - Le Mythe de l’homme de plâtre » in Pensées du Grand Océan, Mythes et Mythifications dans l’océan Indien (Le Corridor Bleu, Presses Universitaires Indiaocéaniques). In this chapter, she offered her perspective as an author-spectator on a performance exploring slavery and marooning, presented during the conference by a young Arts student – producer – scenographer – performer.
Beyond academia, D. Vina Ballgobin is a committed activist who has been at the forefront to fight for the preservation of the last parcel of indigenous forest and endangered native birds, and to raise awareness and protest against harmful coastal development and unethical practices regarding public beach ownership and State land. Her advocacy extends to the pages of a local newspaper, the Mauritius Times, where she extensively addresses environmental, ecological and educational issues.
European Values and the way we view democracy
What are important trends in European Values? Using insights from the European Values Study, I will show what European Values are, how they are measured and what we observe regarding changes over time. I will focus on the way Europeans view democracy. I will answer questions such as "Is democracy under pressure?", "Are there differences in (anti)democratic values in Europe?" and "Which groups value democracy most: young people or older people?". I will also show some interactive tools and teaching materials that were developed in the Erasmus+ projects European Values in Education and Teaching Controversial Issues.
Inge Sieben is associate professor in the department of sociology at Tilburg University. She studies values (what do people find important in life?) and value change in Europe, with a focus on moral, religious and political values in a comparative perspective. She is co-author of the Atlas of European Values and involved in several international projects developing teaching materials for secondary schools based on scientific insights and data on values.
University Literature Night
The University Literature Night at Matej Bel University (UMB) is a vibrant student-led project that brings literature to life through engaging discussions, creative performances, and dynamic interaction between students, faculty, and the broader community. Born from a passion for storytelling and literary exploration, the project originated as an initiative to create a platform where students could showcase their literary talents, exchange ideas, and foster a deeper appreciation for literature. Its primary goals revolve around inspiring a love for reading, encouraging critical thinking, and providing a space for emerging writers to present their work. More than just an academic exercise, University Literature Night serves as a cultural bridge, connecting students with authors, scholars, and literature enthusiasts beyond the university walls. By organizing public readings, discussions, and collaborative projects, it not only enriches the intellectual environment at UMB but also contributes to the cultural development of the wider community. Through this initiative, students gain confidence, enhance their analytical skills, and form meaningful connections, making literature not just an individual pursuit but a shared experience that stimulates creativity and dialogue. The presentation will focus on how this event originated and what it takes behind the scenes.
Dr. Martina Kubealaková is Assistant Professor at Department of Slovak Literature and Literary Science, Faculty of Arts, Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia. Her research interests are literature of 9th – 18th century and implementation of service learning into academic education.
Dr. Zuzana Bariaková is Assistant Professor at Department of Slovak Literature and Literary Science, Faculty of Arts, Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia. Her research focuses on contemporary Slovak literature, the didactics of literature, and Service Learning as an educational approach.
Adriána Pešková, MA, is a graduate of the Slovak Language and Literature and English Language and Literature teaching programme. She is currently a PhD student at the Department of Slovak Literature and Literary Science and her research interests regard Slovak essayists and critical journalists.
Circles in motion
The circle, as a powerful formation in space, offers many possibilities for working with groups. This experiential movement workshop focuses on self-awareness in space through interaction in a group in circles and geometric and symbolic shapes. The workshop is open to anyone interested in exploring their experiences through movement and does not require any previous experience with dance or demanding physical activities. Comfortable shoes and clothing in which you feel good and are not restricted in your movement are recommended. The workshop is part of the KEGA 016UMB-4/2024 project: Electronic platform for the (E)motion experiential program aimed at promoting subjective well-being among students.
Dr. Beata Žitniaková Gurgová is a university lecturer at the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education, Matej Bel University, and a lecturer on various courses focused on developing social skills. Many years of experience with multiple styles of dance, working with groups and leading social-psychological training courses led her to a 4.5-year training course in dance and movement therapy in Prague under the guidance of experienced lecturers Andrea Nunda Malá and Jana Dusbábková Špinařová, which she completed in November 2023. She runs various workshops using creative and therapeutic dance and provides individual and group dance movement therapy.
Storytelling as an Academic Tool to Advance Educational Transformation
Storytelling as an Academic Tool to Advance Educational Transformation will provide the audience with a foundational understanding of the science of storytelling through a deep dive into the changing landscape of the world around us and the impact to the educational ecosystem. Stories of the past and current will be incorporated to inspire the audience to learn about the human journey and create opportunities today to foster meaningful relationships. The presentation will integrate storytelling and history to impact positive learning outcomes and provide a transformational pedagogical approach for shaping the future.
Dr. Palina Louangketh is a former refugee from Laos. Her family’s harrowing journey to the U.S. inspired her vision to honor and elevate the human journey on a global scale. As the founder and CEO / Executive Director of the Idaho Museum of International Diaspora (IMID), she is passionate about connecting communities to cultures of the world through creative storytelling platforms. She holds a Doctor of Strategic Leadership degree from Regent University in Virginia. An alumna from Boise State University (BSU) in Idaho with a Master of Health Science degree, she also teaches in the University Foundations Program and School of Public and Population Health. She designed and launched a set of multicultural courses – IMID’s Global Diaspora Curriculum – at BSU Honors College. This curriculum has since taken on an international presence and served as the backbone for the IMID’s inaugural launch of its annual signature international conference held in Slovakia in 2023.
Velfies as Strategies of Reflection in Service-Learning
This presentation introduces velfies—self-recorded video narratives—as a multimodal and participatory extension of traditional Photovoice methods (Knoblauch et al., 2014; Sterling-Fox et al., 2020). Drawing on insights from the CAPTIVATE project (Ciolan & Manasia, 2024), we analyze how velfies can serve as strategies of reflection in service-learning by foregrounding participants’ voices, emotions, and embodied experiences.
By comparing echo velfies (introspective and linear) with performative velfies (dynamic and audience-aware), we show how students used velfies to express identity, process educational experiences, and reflect on their role in community engagement. These self-curated audiovisual narratives enhance participant agency and challenge text-based, researcher-led analysis models (Fazeli et al., 2023; Esteban-Guitart, 2023).
Velfies act not merely as digital tools but as identity artefacts that support co-creation, reflexivity, and affective expression within participatory, student-centred learning environments.
Dr. Loredana Manasia is a Romanian university lecturer and educational researcher with extensive experience in higher education, educational innovation, and policy advising. She currently serves as an Associate Professor at the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, within the LEARNINNO Research Center. Her teaching focuses on subjects such as educational research, instructional design, learning theories, adult education in organizational contexts, and pedagogical practice.
Dr. Manasia has been actively involved in academic leadership and research coordination, including participation in numerous national and European projects related to education, digital transformation, sustainability, and social inclusion. Since 2022, she has also served as a Counsellor at the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalization in Romania, contributing her expertise in educational and innovation policy.
Dr. Manasia holds a Ph.D. in Education Sciences from the University of Bucharest, where she explored metacognitive competencies and learning communities. Her academic background also includes a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Educational Sciences from the same university.
She has authored and co-authored multiple books, scientific articles, and conference papers, especially in areas such as metacognition, digital education, instructional design, teacher training, and sustainable learning. Her recent works include research on visual methods and multimodality, innovative pedagogies and service-learning, green education, and student well-being.
We are part of the whole
Art therapy works with the imagination and at the same time offers us a different view of the world and ourselves. It teaches us to feel more, perceive, think, create, and reflect. The stimulus for our work will be drawing with watercolour paints. The meeting aims to connect the participants in a group and express their feelings (the artwork is not analysed or evaluated from an artistic point of view; it is more about awareness of one's emotions, creativity development, self-knowledge, and reflection).
Dr. Katarína Kurčíková is a university teacher at the Faculty of Education of Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, accredited art therapist, chairwoman of the Association of Slovak Art Therapists. In her pedagogical and scientific activity, she focuses on global education issues, the development of key competences of social workers and art therapy. She implements the service-learning strategy in these areas. In addition to teaching at university, she conducts individual, group and family art therapy. She also connects art therapy with other expressive therapies. She is a member of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award team at UMB and she cooperates as a mentor for Perceptive Schools – Eduma n.o. She loves to travel, reads books, is interested in traditional crafts and giving things and people a second chance. Her ambition in her work is to foster people's creativity, their self-discovery, and to learn something new from each other.
Service-learning in Higher Education – engaged and ColLaborative learning (Parts I – VII)
What is service-learning and how to plan a course using this strategy? • What are the benefits of this teaching and learning strategy? • How to combine theory with practice in the course? • What are the differences between service-learning, volunteering and internship? • How to make the experience a learning experience? • How to set up assessment and grading in a subject that uses learning through community service?
Service-learning contributes to the fulfillment of the third mission of the university and several quality standards of study programs, for example: it guarantees access to transferable skills that affect the personal development of students and can be used in their future career and life as active citizens in democratic societies and enables appropriate learning outside college.
As part of the course, participants will create a service- learning implementation plan in their course which will be later consulted
The aim of the training: get to know what is it service-learning and how to develop it in university environment.
Target group of the training: university (HEI) teachers open to new methods of teaching, whatsoever specialization, length of practice non-determinant
Competencies that will be acquired during training. The graduate of the training:
- Understands the service-learning strategy as one of the strategies of fulfilling the third mission of the university
- Is able to recognize the potential impact and benefits of the service-learning strategy in education for students, for teachers, for universities and for communities;
- Can explain service-learning as a community-oriented teaching tool/strategy in education;
- Can explain the principles of service-learning and deeply understands the concepts behind student participation, community involvement / solidarity service and linkage with the curriculum;
- Can distinguish between volunteering, professional/field practice, case studies, internships and service-learning;
- Can identify possible steps to the implementation of service-learning projects in higher education both related to the service and the teaching process, as well as how these two mingle / improve each other;
- Knows various options/models for implementation of service-learning projects in higher education;
- Can create one’s own plan for implementation of service-learning projects within one’s course / courses
Timing:
2 full days can be distributed also as a half day, full day and half day + visits in organizations and discussions with higher education teachers about their experiences
Methods, tools used in the training: during the training, a participatory and interactive approach will be used through the training. Using this kind of approach ensures that all participants have a safe environment for work, motivation and active participation, and transparency in the work. Different techniques and methods are used during the training including: short and clear presentations, different simulations – role play, work on case studies and different group and individual techniques and methods. The training constantly provides an environment for mutual communication between trainer and participants, and the exchange of experiences and advice.
Performance evaluation system of the training: after the training, participants develop (as training assignment) a plan on how to implement service-learning in their own university course(s).
Trainer:
associate professor Alžbeta Brozmanová Gregorová, Matej Bel University, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alzbeta-Gregorova
Alžbeta Brozmanová Gregorová is an associate professor at the Faculty of Education, Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia. She focuses primarily on volunteering, service-learning, the nonprofit sector in Slovak conditions, and participatory approaches in social work. She has authored several publications, research studies, and articles. Since 2013, she has coordinated the service-learning strategy at UMB. Since 2025, she has been the UMB Engage – University Centre for Community Partnerships director. She is a recognised expert in academia, practice, and the decisive sphere. She has been actively working in advocacy and the development of volunteering since 2002. Since 2011, she has been the vice president of the Platform of Volunteer Centres and Organisations and is currently president. She has coordinated several international and national projects. In practice, she also works as a trainer, consultant, and supervisor. She is a graduate of the Fulbright program, a member of the Government Council for Nongovernmental Organisations, a member of the Board of the Directors of the European Association on Service-learning in Higher Education, a member of the Academy of Community Engagement Scholarship and a member of the Service-Learning Network for Central and Eastern Europe.