Hydrogen Technologies and Energy Transformation - The Silesian University of Technology has launched a new profile of MBA studies
The Silesian University of Technology in cooperation with the strategic partner Veolia Polska Group has launched a new profile of MBA studies: Hydrogen Technologies and Energy Transformation. This is the first specialist didactic path of this type, which develops managerial competences in the field of optimal management of production, logistics and storage of energy obtained from various sources, including the use of hydrogen technologies.
Directives and legal regulations introduced by the European Union as well as climate pressure, along with technological progress, significantly affect the shape of the energy sector in our country. Limited natural resources make it necessary to look for new solutions affecting the efficiency of the use of raw materials. Optimal management of energy production and logistics, its storage and the demand side - will pose great challenges for managers in the near future.
The launch of a new MBA profile by the Silesian University of Technology under the name Hydrogen Technologies and Energy Transformation is a way to meet the economic situation as well as current and forecast trends. The Silesian University of Technology participates in these processes through education and didactics, but also through research and close cooperation with the socio-economic environment. – Thanks to a modern approach to education with the participation of industry and business, examples of which are implementation doctorates, dual studies, PBL projects (Project and Problem Based Learning) or new MBA profiles, the university acquires talented students, and the environment - excellent professionals. We invite partners with an established reputation and market position to join this cooperation, which makes our studies attractive. - says prof. Janusz Kotowicz, Vice-Rector for Cooperation with Civic and Economic Environment.
As emphasized by prof. Tadeusz Chmielniak from the Department of Power Engineering and Turbomachinery of the Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology, hydrogen is a raw material and fuel with significant potential to support decarbonization processes, especially in such fields as heavy transport, air transport or municipal economy. – If we look at the energy mix in Poland, it turns out that it is based mainly on fossil fuels. More than 70% of electricity is produced from them. Also, some industries and heat production are based on fossil fuels, so these decarbonization processes in Poland are extremely important - said prof. Tadeusz Chmielniak.
The strategic partner of the Hydrogen Technologies and Energy Transformation studies is the Veolia Group. It is an international company implementing innovative solutions in the field of energy, water and sewage management and waste management. Through its activities in these three complementary areas, Veolia contributes to the sustainable use of natural resources and the improvement of their availability. The Group has been present in Poland for over 25 years, during which time it has become a proven partner of cities and industry in the areas of: energy trading and sales, system heat production and distribution, as well as energy efficiency services. Veolia creates and implements economically effective and environmentally friendly solutions, which are part of the circular economy model, and thus contributes to the sustainable development of cities and industry.
– The energy transformation, the depletion of natural resources and the related use of modern technologies in the production of energy and heat are currently the most urgent issues in the economy, science and business – says Frédéric Faroche, President of the Management Board, CEO of the Veolia Group in Poland. - The Veolia Group implements innovative investment projects in the world and in Poland in the field of decarbonization and low-emission energy and heat sources, including heat recovery from existing installations. We will share this unique knowledge and experience with MBA students of the Hydrogen Technologies and Energy Transformation profile at the Silesian University of Technology.
The studies will develop the competencies of the management staff in several key areas. “ Today, managers face three key challenges ,” explains dr hab. Małgorzata Dobrowolska, prof. SUT, head of MBA studies and director of the International Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, the organizer of studies at the Silesian University of Technology. - The first is digital transformation - you have to be ready for everything that technological and social progress brings. The second - dynamic changes, because you need to be prepared to implement innovative solutions in your organization in the face of constant changes in the socio-economic environment. And finally, the third challenge is managing during crises and breakthroughs, because in order to be a strong and responsible leader, professional skills are needed to consciously solve management difficulties and take advantage of emerging opportunities. Knowledge and proper preparation are, as always, the key to success. We have prepared such a program for the development of advanced management competences using new technologies as part of the MBA program at the Silesian University of Technology . The mission of these studies is to develop strong leaders in the management and technology of the future, who will be able to influence technological and social progress and will be ready to face the challenges of the present day. The program is based on three pillars: implementation of technologies of the future, use of innovations and global trends in management, and strong and responsible leadership. Our motto is "Feel the power of management and new technologies" and it works, because a significant part of the participants of the two previous MBA editions are noticed by the market already during the first semester. They get offers very quickly for better positions or better paid jobs. The MBA diploma also gives new business opportunities - adds dr hab Małgorzata Dobrowolska, prof. SUT.
- Projects in the field of energy transformation are implemented in Veolia by experienced managers: experts in the field of heating, energy, water and waste management - says dr hab. Krzysztof Zamasz, prof. SUT, member of the Management Board, commercial director of the Veolia Group in Poland . - Although the production and use of hydrogen in the energy sector are still expensive projects, we are already analysing and including green, decarbonised fuels in the production of energy and heat. However, in addition to the "hard" production aspect, it is also crucial to build new competencies for managers of other industries, so that these projects will be a lever not only for the energy sector, but for the entire economy. We will pass this knowledge on to students as part of a specialized MBA study path .
The Silesian University of Technology has been conducting research on the acquisition and management of energy from renewable sources for many years, also using modern infrastructure for this purpose. - The Laboratory of New Energy Technologies has photovoltaic modules, electrolysers, hydrogen tanks and fuel cells that allow you to trace the entire cycle of energy storage in hydrogen - explains Dr. Eng. Daniel Węcel from the Department of Power Engineering and Turbomachinery of the Silesian University of Technology . – We are currently conducting research on ways to store energy from installations using renewable energy sources. Electricity from photovoltaic installations or wind farms is locally produced with a certain surplus, so in order to use the potential of these power plants, it is necessary to manage it. One of the methods of using excess energy is to store it in hydrogen fuel, and then use hydrogen to produce electricity when demand for it is higher. Currently, it is a solution with a very high development and application potential.
Commencement of classes in the field of Hydrogen Technologies and Energy Transformation will take place on March 25 this year, and they will end in February 2025. Classes will be held in a hybrid weekend mode: on-site at the campus of the Silesian University of Technology and partly online. Participants will take part in study visits to leading domestic and foreign entities, as well as in an away session to Nyenrode Business Universiteit - the partner university of the studies. The courses will be conducted in Polish, and selected subjects in English with the option of simultaneous translation. The studies will last 2 years, divided into 4 semesters, during which 32 courses will be held during 700 teaching hours, which gives 58 ECTS points.
Two other MBA profiles run by the Silesian University of Technology are also very popular: Industry 4.0 and Public Services. - MBA studies with a specific profile are more valuable, because apart from the standard managerial didactic path, they also offer a specialization path - sums up prof. Dobrowolska.
The Silesian University of Technology is the oldest technical university in Upper Silesia and one of the largest in the country. It was established in 1945 as a scientific and didactic base for the most industrialized district in Poland and at the same time one of the most industrialized areas in Europe - Upper Silesia. It is an important institution of public life and plays a special cultural and opinion-forming role in the region. The mission of the Silesian University of Technology as a prestigious European technical university is to conduct innovative scientific research and development work, educate highly qualified staff for the knowledge-based society and economy, and actively influence the development of the region and local communities. The university, through continuous improvement of processes and organization, is a friendly and open place of work and development of the academic community. As the only university in Silesia, it belongs to the prestigious group of 10 Polish universities - winners of the "Initiative of Excellence - Research University" competition of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
