A recent visit by North-West University (NWU) Professors Ephrem Redda and Prof Marko van Deventer to the Nicolaus Copernicus University (NCU) in Toruń, Poland represented a significant step in strengthening international academic collaboration.
Hosted by the NCU’s Faculty of Economic Sciences and Management, the visit underlined the importance of cross-institutional partnerships in higher education and demonstrated the potential for meaningful scholarly exchange and cooperation.
For Prof Redda of the NWU’s WorkWell Research Unit returning to the NCU for the second time represented a valued continuation of an established academic relationship. As the NWU’s coordinator of the Joint NCU–NWU Seminars, he has been working closely with Prof Aldona Glińska-Neweś, vice-director of the Institute of Management and Quality Studies and head of the Department of Marketing and Organisational Behaviour, to strengthen ties between the two universities.
This time, Prof van Deventer from the NWU’s School of Management Sciences joined him, with both academics bringing a shared determination to turn international partnerships into meaningful projects with real-world impact.
From the outset, the programme was buzzing with energy. Early conversations with Dr Barbara Józefowicz and Dr Ewa Makowska from the NCU’s International Relations Office opened exciting doors for collaborative research in areas such as consumer behaviour and brand loyalty, subjects that are more relevant than ever in a fast-changing global marketplace. These discussions planted the seeds for long-term studies that could benefit both institutions and their students.
One of the standout moments came when the professors presented to international students in the NCU’s Summer Programme. Their talk, “Hot Research Topics in the WorkWell Research Unit at NWU”, sparked lively engagement as they shared insights into consumer behaviour, retail banking and entrepreneurship.
“For the students, it was a glimpse into the future of global research and an opportunity for them to connect directly with us in shaping these conversations,” said Prof Redda.
The visit also included high-level meetings on research support and
international collaboration with NCU leaders such as vice-dean for international cooperation Dr Aranka Ignasiak-Szulc, vice-dean for research and development Dr Jakub Szczepkowski, and Prof Aldona Glińska-Neweś. During these meetings both sides reaffirmed their commitment to building lasting bridges. Conversations with colleagues Dr Paweł Brzustewcz and Prof Aldona Glińska-Neweś from the Department of Organisational Behaviour and Marketing further strengthened research partnerships in marketing and organisational behaviour.
Taking things a step further, the NWU delegation met with Prof Catherine Deffains-Crapsky from Université d’Angers in France. This added an exciting new dimension, extending the collaboration beyond Poland and South Africa to include France, setting the stage for future multinational projects.
Prof Redda reflected on the visit, saying: “It’s always a privilege to see how much we can achieve when we bring people together from different parts of the world. The enthusiasm we felt at the NCU gives me great confidence that our joint projects will not only strengthen our institutions but also contribute valuable knowledge to the global academic community.”
Ultimately, the visit showed that international collaboration is not just about formal agreements or academic diplomacy, it is about people, ideas and shared ambitions.
The NWU and the NCU have set their sights on new horizons, proving that when institutions work together with openness and creativity, they can inspire innovation, broaden perspectives, and help shape the future of global higher education.
From left are Dr Aranka Ignasiak-Szulc, vice-dean for international cooperation at the Nicolaus Copernicus University (NCU), Prof Ephrem Redda, research professor at the NWU’s WorkWell Research Unit, Prof Marko van Deventer from the School of Management Sciences, and Prof Marcin Kuzel, vice-dean for research and development at the NCU.
