About the future of Polish universities at the Silesian University of Technology
Silesian University of Technology hosted a two-day meeting of the Presidium and the Plenary Assembly of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland, which took place on November 20th -21st. Rectors of over 80 Polish universities talked about the challenges and changes that await the environment of higher education and science. Representatives of the university authorities had the opportunity to discuss the most important issues with the Minister of Science Dariusz Wieczorek, who came to Gliwice.
The Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland (CRASP) is the largest representative institution of higher education and science. The main objective of the Conference is to inspire and coordinate the cooperation of member universities and to represent the common interests of academic schools. CRASP has been operating since 1997 and currently associates rectors of 110 higher education institutions, including eleven non-public ones. The two-day meeting of the Presidium and Plenary Assembly at the Silesian University of Technology is the first in the new term of office of the CRASP authorities The rectors discussed, among others, the planned amendment to the Law on Higher Education and Science, evaluation of scientific activities, the list of journals, issues related to internationalization and the Visa Act, as well as problems related to the scholarship fund or solutions that universities are obliged to implement in connection with the entry into force of the NIS2 procedure concerning cybersecurity. The government's budget for science and research was a priority topic.
“Science and higher education are not a priority activity of the government at the moment, which we regret to note. Defence, security is the priority and of course we understand it as citizens, especially as representatives of universities, but we must fight for our own, so that science is appreciated and treated as an investment, not as a cost – said Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Jerzy Lis, Vice-President of CRASP, Rector of AGH University of Science and Technology named after Stanisław Staszic in Krakow. – Universities implement an important area of public activity, without us there will be no Poland, sorry for those big words, but there will be no educated people, there will be no staff. We want science to be properly recognized in politics in all ministries - added Prof. Lis.
– For me, the most important mission is to improve the image of Polish universities in the social space, increase their rank and, above all, ensure that universities, not only declaratively, are considered an important element of social life – emphasized Prof. Dr Hab. Bogumiła Kaniewska, President of CRASP, Rector of the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan. – We have declarations from the government that universities and science are important, but this does not translate into decisions, for example in the form of financing. One point of GDP invested in science gives 8 to 13 points of growth. This is a very lucrative business, but you have to invest in it, as in any activity that is supposed to bring results – said Prof. Kaniewska.
Minister of Science Dariusz Wieczorek, present during one of the sessions, assured that the budget, which will be adopted in December, will still be discussed with the Minister of Finance.
– The topics are difficult, but we always have to look for a compromise and both I and the whole ministry are willing to compromise, it is extremely important that the dialog with the environment has returned – said Dariusz Wieczorek, Minister of Science. – The draft law on higher education is in the final phase of government agreements, and the arrangements for the visa project are also ongoing. The topic arouses emotions, especially the one concerning student visas, but I assure the rectors that the possibility of admitting foreign students at Polish universities has been included in the government’s migration policy.
Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk, Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, as Chairman of the CRASP International Cooperation Committee, represented the academic community in talks with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in connection with the CRASP’s demands for the upcoming Visa Act.
“The subject is extremely complex, we understand the problems related to border protection, state security, but we also want universities to be able to participate in the preparation of appropriate regulations. People who come to our universities are definitely better verified than those who come to our country, for example, in search of a job, very often we have this international cooperation confirmed by contracts – said Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk, Chairman of the CRASP International Cooperation Committee, Rector of the Silesian University of Technology.
Many of CRASP’s demands have been taken into account by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and more are waiting to be discussed during the next meeting of the government.
