


Knowledge That Educates – WSB University and the Youth Center in Pszczyna Join Forces
Resocialization is not just a theory – it is, above all, daily work with individuals who need a second chance. WSB University has signed a cooperation agreement with the Regional Youth Educational Center in Pszczyna-Łąka – a resocialization-focused institution, which until recently operated as a juvenile detention center.
The agreement establishes a strategic partnership in the areas of education, science, and professional development. Thanks to this collaboration, students from the following fields of study – Pedagogy (Resocialization), Psychology, Law, and National Security – will be able to complete internships at the center, participate in research projects, and gain firsthand experience of working in closed-type resocialization institutions.
Joint initiatives will also include:
- Developing educational programs and specialist courses,
- Organizing seminars and conferences,
- Publishing research results through WSB University Press,
- Implementing activities related to career counseling and social skills development.
The agreement was signed by Prof. Marek Walancik, Head of the Pedagogy Department at WSB University, and Maciej Paź, Director of the Regional Youth Educational Center in Pszczyna-Łąka. The signing ceremony was also attended by Dr. Edyta Antoniak-Kiedos, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, supervisor of the Pedagogy and Psychology programs, and initiator of the partnership.
The collaboration was inaugurated by a lecture from the Center’s Director, Maciej Paź, titled: "Between Punishment and Education: The Transformation of Polish Juvenile Detention Centers and Its Significance for Future Lawyers, Officers, and Educators." The event attracted nearly 100 students. During his talk, the director outlined the realities of working with youth in need of special educational support, presented the structure of the center, and encouraged students to engage in internships and volunteer opportunities.
The Pszczyna-Łąka Center is a comprehensive educational and care facility equipped with a dormitory, vocational workshops, vocational schools, and a team of specialists. It integrates education, work, and therapy – offering young people practical skills and new perspectives.