“Uniservitate Global Award 2024” goes to KUL

One of the world’s most prestigious awards for Service Learning projects at universities has been awarded to The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (KUL) in Poland.

The “Global Award” honours outstanding Service Learning projects and supports their continuation with prize money. The project “Bacteria Antibiotic Resistance: A Global Challenge - Local Action. The student’s project carried out as part of the activity in the Scientific Club” at The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (KUL) in Poland was awarded the 2024 Uniservitate Global Award. The project leaded by Ilona Sadok and Rafał Łopucki addresses the growing issue of drug resistance in microorganisms (commonly known as antibiotic resistance) and responds to the need to monitor and study this phenomenon, as well as to minimise its negative consequences. To meet this demand, students collected numerous samples from public playgrounds in the city of Lublin, such as swabs from playground equipment (e.g., swings and slides), sand from sandpits, soil, and air samples. By utilising microbiological procedures and mass spectrometry analysis, the students isolated and identified pathogenic bacterial strains. These strains underwent experiments to confirm antibiotic resistance. However, the project extended beyond scientific results; a crucial objective was to share the acquired knowledge with the public interested in the microbiological safety of children’s play areas. To achieve this, a dedicated platform for exchanging information between scientists and the public was established.

The “Global Award” is being presented for the second time in 2024 as part of the international Uniservitate network. Uniservitate is funded by the Porticus Foundation and coordinated by the Latin American Center for Solidary Service Learning (CLAYSS) in Argentina. The award is given within the Uniservitate Hub for Central & Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Applications for the Uniservitate Global Award went through a three-stage process: In two evaluation rounds, internationally recognised experts identified the best projects. These were then presented to a six-member international jury, which decided on the award winners. The Global Award ceremony will take place as part of a Uniservitate Symposium in early November in Rome.