The National Student Conference is now behind us

On May 17 of this year, our university hosted a National Student Conference titled “The Individual – the State – Society. Generation Z Facing the Challenges of (Post)Modernity.” This event provided a unique forum for academic debate on the challenges faced by today’s young generation in the context of dynamic social, political, psychological, and technological changes. The conference was officially opened by:

• Dariusz Zając, PhD, Assoc. Prof. – Rector of the Jan Wyżykowski University,
• Robert Wiszniowski, PhD, DSc, ProfTit, Dr habil. – Rector of the Angelus Silesius Academy of Applied Sciences in Wałbrzych,
• Wiesław Wabik – Mayor of Polkowice,
• Anna Elżbieciak-Stec – First Deputy Mayor of Wałbrzych.

The following individuals served as moderators:

• Rafał Czachor, PhD, DSc, Assoc. Prof.,
• Renata Socha, PhD (UJW),
• Łukasz Mikowski, PhD (ANS AS),
• Piotr Krysiak, BEng, PhD (UJW).

The event was attended by students from numerous academic institutions, including those in Wrocław, Poznań, Opole, and Wałbrzych, which attests to the growing prominence of UJW as an active hub for scholarly dialogue and the exchange of ideas among the younger generation. The following speakers presented their papers in Section I, “Social Aspects of the Challenges of (Post)Modernity”:

• Natalia Szeląg (UJW) – The Constitutional Status of the President of the Republic of Poland in Comparison with That of the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany – Proposals for De Lege Ferenda
• Wojciech Lech (University of Wrocław) – The Issue of the Election Silence Period in the Context of New Technologies (online)
• Kornelia Świątek (University of Wrocław) – National Mourning as a Manifestation of State Symbolism in Administrative Law (online)
• Adriana Matkowska (UJW) – The Right to Good Administration: Legal Basis and Essence
• Emilia Wawrzyniak (ProMa Student Research Club, UJW) – Effective Leadership Styles as a Challenge for Local Government Administration
• Patrycja Iwaniuch (UJW) – European Union Citizenship: The Perspective of a Polish Citizen
• Wojciech Czarny, Kornel Skowron (Ministrare Student Research Club for Public Administration, ANS AS) – Remote Work: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Future of the Labor Market (online)
• Andrzej Walner (ProMa Student Research Club, UJW) – Methods and Techniques for Preventing Burnout
• Przemysław Rybikowski (Psyche Student Research Club, UJW) – How Narcissism Can Affect Our Lives.

In Section II, “Psychological Aspects of the Challenges of (Post)Modernity”:

• Malwina Chruścicka (ProMa Student Research Club, UJW) – Curiosity About Sobriety or Generation Z’s Self-Awareness of Abstinence
• Kamila Gałązkiewicz (Psyche Student Research Club, UJW) – Challenges Faced by Preschool Teachers and Their Impact on Mental Health
• Katarzyna Hermaszuk (Psyche Student Research Club, UJW) – Resilience Among Teachers in Grades 1–8 at an Elementary School
• Joanna Włodarczyk (Psyche Student Research Club, UJW) – Beautiful, Smart, and Stressed. Life Under Pressure… or the Image of Young Women in the Modern World
• Anna Maria Kapuściak-Smolarek, Laura Emilia Mantorska (UJW Student Research Club for Educators “Volunteers”) – How UJW Students Spend Their Free Time

In Section III, “Legal Aspects of the Challenges of (Post)Modernity”:

• Wiktoria Pochopień, Mateusz Radiemerski (UO) Digital Identity of Generation Z – Is Personal Data Still a Personal Right? The Limits of Privacy Protection Under Civil and Constitutional Law (online)
• Justyna Kaczmarek, Małgorzata Kilian (Ministrare Student Research Club for Public Administration, ANS AS) – Open Source AI: An Innovative Tool for Modern Public Administration (online)
• Julia Stec (Ministrare Student Research Club for Administrative Scientists, ANS AS) – E-delivery: Revolution or Evolution? (online)
• Piotr Bil (UO) – Non-Governmental Organizations in the Municipal Security System (online)
• Magdalena Zator, Bartosz Kostuś (University of Opole) – Generation Z: Cybercrime – New Forms of Criminal Conduct and the Constitutional Limits of Criminal Liability (online)
• Magdalena Zając, Olga Dworak (USUS IURIS Civil Law Research Club, Adam Mickiewicz University) – The Contractual Penalty as a Form of Security for the Performance of an Obligation (online)

In Section IV, “Technologies as Opportunities and Challenges of (Post)Modernity”:

• Nikolas Papenfus (Infotronik Student Research Club, UJW) – The Physical Layer of Cybersecurity – Flipper Zero
• Maciej Oleksy (Infotronik Student Research Club, UJW) – Cybersecurity of the Internet of Things
• Mateusz Krasicki (Infotronik Student Research Club, UJW) – 3D Printing in Everyday Life
• Robert Cieślik (Infotronik Student Research Club, UJW) – Current Applications of VR and AR Technologies in Mechatronics
• Maciej Komarnicki (Infotronik Student Research Club, UJW) – Payment Card Security

The conference provided students with an opportunity to present their own research and academic interests, as well as to gain experience in public speaking and leading academic debates. The presented papers addressed the current challenges facing Generation Z – in social, psychological, legal, and technological terms. This event confirms that Jan Wyżykowski University actively responds to the changing realities of the modern world by supporting freedom of scientific research, openness to new paradigms, and the needs of the younger generation. Allowing students to have a say in matters important to them is not only an expression of concern for their development but also evidence of the academic community’s responsibility for shaping informed and engaged citizens. On behalf of the organizers, we would like to sincerely thank all conference participants for their attendance, insightful presentations, and inspiring discussions. We are convinced that this event has provided not only new ideas and knowledge but also motivation for further academic and social engagement.