Nuclear energy is the future
It is worth to bet on nuclear energy – it was argued at the Silesian University of Technology during the Open Day of Nuclear Energy. The event, which took place on the 6th of June 2025 in the auditorium of the Education and Congress Centre, attracted a large group of interested people, especially young ones, who are faced with the choice of education.
The challenges and opportunities offered by the development of the nuclear energy sector in Poland were discussed during the Open Day of Nuclear Energy at the Silesian University of Technology.
- “Our event shows that the Silesian University of Technology is opening up to the market demand, and this clearly indicates the need for education in the field of nuclear energy. This is evidenced, among others, by the presence of companies from the energy sector, which came here to present their activities to young people” – said Dr Hab. Łukasz Bartela, Prof. SUT – coordinator of the event. – “It is worth noting that a year ago the event was held for the first time on a smaller scale, but due to the great interest in the topic, this year we invited not only our students, but also secondary school pupils.”
It is not without reason that the event devoted to nuclear energy took place at the Silesian University of Technology. The university has been engaged in research in this field for years and is a pioneer in educating experts for this sector. The teaching was started when the first reactor in Żarnowiec was planned to be launched, which was finally stopped.
- “We did not stop. We have specialists in nuclear energy, who during this time expanded their competences in this area, what is more, established cooperation with industrial and scientific partners. They have even obtained scientific projects for this purpose” – noted Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk, the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology. – “One of the projects is coming to an end and it is worth noting that it was important for the development of power industry, taking into account the needs of the Silesian Voivodeship. It should be remembered that the area of nuclear energy focuses not only on the construction of power plants, but also on environmental research and medical issues.”
The Rector of the University of Technology also emphasized that the university is prepared to educate experts in the field of nuclear energy at an international level.
- “As part of the EURECA-PRO European University, we work with Hasselt University in Belgium and Université de Lorraine in France – these are very developed nuclear energy centres, because they are countries where the sector is well developed. So, we have access to this knowledge, we can use their experience, and our students will also be able to benefit from it” – added the Rector.
The youth of secondary schools and students of the Silesian University of Technology who participated in the event listened to current trends on nuclear energy, and these make it very clear – nuclear energy is the future.
- “Today we are facing a challenge under the slogan: Nuclear energy. We also face the challenge of preparing staff for the needs of this undertaking. I think that the Silesian University of Technology with its experience is a very good institution to join the process of educating professionals” – noted Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Gzik Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education.
In the same way spoke the experts who took part in the discussion panel. In the debate, the challenges and prospects of nuclear energy development were discussed. The discussion took place with the participation of representatives of companies from this sector, including representatives of technological developers, the investor side, as well as representatives of nuclear supervision. Among the speakers was Dr Paweł Gajda - Director of the Nuclear Energy Department at the Ministry of Industry.
- “The decision that nuclear energy will be a part of Polish energy mix and will be the pillar of the economy has already been made. The construction of the first power plant in Pomerania is already well underway. Soon the construction of the second one will begin, and that is not the end. Other investors are also interested in nuclear energy, so it is an ideal moment to develop” – said Dr Gajda. – “But the most important thing in this process is people and their competences, so we are turning to you because you can become the experts who will power this huge nuclear industry.”
The panellists’ words confirmed that the need to develop the nuclear energy sector is one of the few points in politics that is approved by all parties. The agreement for the construction of nuclear power plants is all the greater because, despite previous prejudices, current research results confirm that Poles also support the construction of this type of energy sources and see hope in this.
If so, there is no better course to study than nuclear energy.
- “At the Silesian University of Technology, we offer a field of study in energy with a specialization in nuclear energy, and at the second degree a field of study in nuclear energy. Please note that recruitment is already underway. After completing these courses, you can certainly go to work in the nuclear energy sector” – emphasized Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Anna Chrobok, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education at the Silesian University of Technology.
Detailed information on recruitment can be found at: https://rekrutacja.polsl.pl/
fot. Maciej Mutwil
