23 June 2026
Through the YUFE Student Help Desk, students at Nicolaus Copernicus University are applying their knowledge and skills to support local communities.
From health education and digital accessibility to mural design and cybersecurity, they contribute to a wide range of initiatives that address real societal needs through the Help Desk network.
On 15 June 2026, students, academic staff and community partners gathered at Nicolaus Copernicus University for the annual meeting summarising the achievements of the Help Desk network at NCU. The event provided an opportunity to present completed projects, exchange experiences and celebrate another year of meaningful community engagement.
During the 2025/2026 academic year, 110 students participated in 11 Help Desks, delivering workshops, consultations and community-based projects in Toruń, Bydgoszcz and across the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. Through the programme, local residents submitted 38 requests for support to the Help Desks, and six development grants enabled the implementation of new initiatives to address emerging community needs.
Students collaborated with schools to design and create murals, organised bibliotherapy sessions for children in hospitals, promoted healthy lifestyles through educational activities and supported organisations in improving digital accessibility. Other teams provided water management consultations and delivered cyber security workshops for diverse audiences, including older adults.
The YUFE Alliance encourages students to engage with society and apply academic knowledge to real-world challenges. Through these activities, students strengthen both their professional and social competencies while making a tangible contribution to local communities.
“The Help Desk network demonstrates that academic knowledge can have a real impact on society. Students gain valuable practical experience, develop important social and professional competencies, and contribute to initiatives that benefit local residents. This unique combination of learning, hands-on practice and social responsibility is the programme’s greatest strength,” says Hanna Tabisz, Coordinator of the Nutrition Help Desk.
By connecting academic learning with civic engagement, the Help Desk network at NCU demonstrates how universities can strengthen their relationship with society while empowering students to become active and responsible contributors to their communities.
