Several leading Polish universities have launched a pilot program introducing quest-based curriculum for first-year students, integrating elements of gamified learning through the Quest Hub platform. The initiative aims to enhance engagement and skill development during the critical transition to higher education.

Program Structure Across Institutions

University of Warsaw, Jagiellonian University, and Adam Mickiewicz University are among the participants. First-year students in selected faculties complete modular quests aligned with core subjects, earning badges for milestones instead of traditional grades in initial phases. Each quest combines lectures, collaborative tasks, and practical projects delivered via Quest Hub's interface, allowing real-time progress tracking by instructors. Faculty report that this structure encourages consistent participation, with early data showing a 15 percent increase in assignment completion rates compared to prior cohorts. The curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary challenges, requiring students to apply concepts from multiple courses in scenario-based quests.

Training for educators focused on designing balanced quests that maintain academic rigor while promoting autonomy. Students receive orientation sessions highlighting navigation of the platform and quest objectives. Administrators note that the pilot targets approximately 2,000 students across the three universities during the current academic year, with scalability assessments planned for expansion.

Observed Outcomes and Future Plans

Preliminary evaluations indicate improved retention and student satisfaction, particularly among those from non-traditional backgrounds. Quest completion data reveals higher motivation in subjects like introductory sciences and humanities. Challenges include ensuring equitable access to digital tools and calibrating quest difficulty to avoid overload. University representatives emphasize ongoing adjustments based on feedback loops integrated into Quest Hub analytics.

National education authorities are monitoring results to inform potential policy recommendations. If successful, the model could extend to additional institutions by 2026, supporting broader adoption of competency-focused approaches in Polish higher education. Researchers will publish detailed findings at the end of the pilot year to guide refinements.