On 25 May 2026, the University of Silesia signed a cooperation agreement with Portal Games – one of the most recognisable Polish board game publishers. This marks a historic moment for the university and for the development of research into gamification, game studies, and the use of games in education and social activities.
The agreement was initiated by the University of Silesia’s Game Studies Research Centre together with the organisers of board game events held at the university under the name Planszofest. The cooperation represents another step towards building long-term relationships between academia and the board game industry.
On behalf of the University of Silesia in Katowice, the agreement was signed by Vice-Rector Agnieszka Turska-Kawa, PhD, DLitt, Associate Professor. The Game Studies Research Centre was represented by Joanna Mercik, PhD and Przemysław Kowal, while Portal Games was represented by Director Grzegorz Polewka.
The agreement provides for broad cooperation between the university and the company in the area of joint projects. The partners plan to co-organise and promote events addressed to the academic community, support the development of entrepreneurship among students, and involve students and graduates in internships and placements carried out in cooperation with the board game industry.
As part of the cooperation, representatives of Portal Games will be able to participate in consultations regarding study programmes and thesis topics, as well as conduct classes for students. The agreement also envisages practical cooperation based on the exchange of experience between the academic community and the board game industry.
Planned joint initiatives include the development of the university’s board game library, organising prototype testing sessions for new games at the University of Silesia in Katowice, and engaging students and the academic community in projects related to game design and game analysis. The cooperation is also intended to create a space for meetings, workshops, and joint initiatives combining science, culture, and modern entertainment.
On the university’s side, the agreement will be implemented by the Game Studies Research Centre, which for several years has been developing initiatives promoting game studies research and integrating the academic community with board game enthusiasts. The signed agreement opens up new opportunities for the development of gamification research and for the practical use of games in educational, social, and cultural activities.
Fot. Małgorzata Dymowska
