HR Excellence in Research is a certificate granted by the European Commission to institutions that implement the principles of the European Charter for Researchers. The Charter aims to create a friendly and development-oriented working environment for researchers, ensuring transparency in recruitment, work–life balance, as well as support for knowledge creation, transfer, exchange, dissemination, and technological development.
– I am extremely proud that Wroclaw Medical University has received the HR Excellence in Research certificate, says Prof. Piotr Ponikowski, Rector of WMU. This distinction underlines our standing and provides yet another proof that WMU is one of the best universities in Poland, and the leading medical university in the country. I sincerely congratulate and thank all our staff. It is thanks to their work and commitment that we have received this prestigious recognition.
Institutions awarded the HR Excellence in Research logo not only strengthen their position in the academic world, but also become more competitive. The recognition is linked to a commitment to continuously monitor and improve processes—not only in human resources management, but also in research and teaching—leading to a more supportive working environment and increased staff satisfaction.
– Thanks to HR Excellence in Research, the university will not only be able to attract top talent but also develop their potential, which will translate into better research quality and scientific achievements, as well as strengthening WMU’s international position, explains Dominika Szachniewicz, Director General of WMU. For prospective researchers and academic teachers, the certificate is a clear signal that recruitment processes are transparent, and that WMU as an employer fosters a supportive work environment and actively supports the development of young scientists.
Institutions with strong HR practices are also more credible to funding bodies, and the HR Excellence in Research logo can improve chances of securing grants and external funding.
WMU began the application procedure for the HR Excellence in Research certificate in December 2023. The European Commission awarded the certificate in early July.
One tangible initiative linked to the certification is the introduction of an intranet platform dedicated to staff and young researchers, providing easy access to key documents and up-to-date information on research support, internal processes and regulations, and current activities. Work is also underway on a Code of Ethics, with further updates to be published regularly.
Achieving the HR Excellence in Research logo would not have been possible without the involvement of many WMU employees and researchers. The certification process was carried out by three closely cooperating groups:
- Implementation Team for the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, chaired by Dominika Szachniewicz, Director General of WMU. This team plays a key role in preparing the institution to obtain the HR logo and in maintaining and developing standards in line with the Charter and the Code.
- Steering Committee, responsible for strategic supervision of the implementation of the principles of the European Charter and Code, chaired by Prof. Agnieszka Hałoń, Vice-Rector for Academic Staff Development.
- Monitoring Group, providing operational oversight of the implementation of the principles, chaired by Dr. hab. Agnieszka Matera-Witkiewicz, Prof. WMU.
– I am very pleased that we managed to obtain the HR Excellence in Research logo, says project coordinator Joanna Ciapała. This is a major achievement, but also a commitment to implement and maintain the highest standards in line with the principles of the Charter for Researchers. We now have two years until the next evaluation by the European Commission, and I am confident that together we can deliver on the commitments we have included in our HR Strategy for Researchers. I also strongly enc