International Cooperation Office

Students from the University of Applied Sciences (UAS), studying Computer Science and Management and Production Engineering, had a unique chance to participate in the prestigious Johnny’s Innovation Challenge at St. John’s University in New York, the USA. 

The team, consisting of Marta Paschke, Julia Winiarska, Dawid Smołka, and Milan Pustelnik made a strong impression. They advanced to the finals with their innovative project, competing against numerous teams. Dr inż. Mariusz Pelc, a lecturer in Computer Science at UAS in Nysa, traveled with the students to New York. During the visit, he presented our university, highlighting its educational potential and collaboration opportunities. Dr inż. Mariusz Pelc also delivered a lecture to local students and other competition participants and mentored the Nysa team throughout the event. 

The trip was conducted under the Erasmus+ short-term mobility program. This event brought together students from St. John’s University and their partners from France, Mexico, and Puerto Rico to develop innovative solutions for sustainable development, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Throughout their stay, the Nysa delegation was under the guidance of Professor Geoff Dick, who has visited UAS in Nysa multiple times as a summer school lecturer and guest speaker. He is currently the Dean of the Computer Science program at St. John’s University.

Key Aspects of Johnny’s Innovation Challenge:

• Participation in online introductory sessions covering the competition rules and the main principles of sustainable development according to the UN.
• International team collaboration – participants worked in interdisciplinary teams, promoting knowledge exchange and cross-cultural competency development.
• Workshops and training – students participated in sessions on:
  • Data-Driven Storytelling: From Insights to Impact
  • Design Thinking
  • Business Model Canvas
  • Building a Startup with AI
• Networking sessions – participants had an opportunity to connect with American mentors, industry experts, and event sponsors.
• Presentation of innovative solutions – teams showcased their ideas in front of a jury composed of business and academic representatives.
• Awards and recognition – finalists were offered participation in the Hult Prize National Competition in Boston, access to incubation programs, and invitations to summer startup accelerators in Portugal.

Benefits of UAS students’ participation:
1. Future-ready skills – the participation in workshops and team collaboration allowed students to gain practical skills in data analysis, design thinking, and business modeling while familiarizing themselves with the UN’s strategic development goals.
2. Career opportunities – the participation opened doors to prestigious internships and international programs supporting the development of startups.
3. Cross-cultural exchange – working in a global environment enhanced communication skills and fostered relationships with future innovation leaders from the USA, France, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.
4. International experience – participants had the opportunity to visit the United Nations headquarters in New York and explore the city's culture through specially organized events.
5. A tour of the St. John’s University campus in New York, along with the opportunity to explore the city's most significant architectural and cultural attractions.

The participation of UAS students in Johnny’s Innovation Challenge was an exceptional educational and professional milestone. The event’s innovative format, collaboration with international experts, and focus on future skills made it an unforgettable experience, both academically and personally. Our students demonstrated exceptional creative problem-solving skills, with their dedication and innovative ideas being highly praised, which ultimately secured them a place in the finals. This event marked another significant step in building future competencies and inspiring young leaders to create real-world impact. It also strengthened UAS’s partnership with its academic collaborators in the USA.

Marta: "Traveling to the USA was an incredible experience! Exploring the university and the city was fascinating — the modern architecture, vibrant streets, and amazing cultural diversity made a huge impression on me. The Innovation Challenge itself was both a challenge and a fantastic opportunity to meet inspiring people who share our passion for the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. I’m thrilled and proud that we took part!"

Milan: "The atmosphere of this place is what I liked the most. Not only is the university impressive, but the people we met here were full of passion and dedication. The competition gave us a chance to prove ourselves in an international setting, which was an invaluable experience. Plus, American culture, food, and lifestyle are fascinating. I will remember this trip for a long time!"

Dawid: "Being in the USA was an amazing experience, but the competition was truly the highlight for me. Talking with experts and other participants gave me so much motivation to keep pushing forward. Exploring the city was fantastic — seeing places I only knew from movies was unforgettable. I’m also happy that our hard work was recognized and that we reached the finals!"

Julia: "I was deeply impressed by the entire trip! The university is an incredibly inspiring place, and the competition broadened our horizons, allowing us to learn more about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Exploring the city was unforgettable — the modern buildings, parks, and the city's incredible energy make me want to come back someday."