Meeting of the Regional Conference of Rectors of Academic Universities
Changes in higher education, an amendment to the evaluation system for scientific disciplines or events related to the title of the European City of Science Katowice - these are only some of the topics that were discussed during the meeting of rectors and vice-rectors of universities that are part of the Regional Conference of Rectors of Academic Universities (RKRUA). The deliberations took place on March 10th , 2023 in the Senate Hall of the Silesian University of Technology.
The discussion was attended by the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology prof. Arkadiusz Mężyk, the Rector of the University of Silesia prof. Ryszard Koziołek and the president of RKRUA and the Rector of the University of Economics in Katowice, prof. Celina Olszak, who opened the meeting. The Rector of the University of Economics briefly discussed the planned agenda, paying attention to the main topics of the meeting in Gliwice: proposed changes in the law on higher education and science, amendment of the system for evaluating scientific disciplines and events related to the title of the European City of Science Katowice.
The first speaker was Prof. Arkadiusz Mężyk, rector of the Silesian University of Technology and chairman of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland (CRASP). The Rector of the Silesian University of Technology referred to the changes proposed by CRASP in the academic law concerning, among others, tuition fees and changes in the thresholds for obtaining social scholarships. He also mentioned the compromise reached with the Students' Parliament of the Republic of Poland. Prof. Mężyk also emphasized that proposals for changes are being prepared to enable the implementation of inter-disciplinary doctorates, with which CRASP intends to submit to the ministry.
The rectors of the universities associated in RKRUA also discussed the evaluation of scientific disciplines and proposals regarding the list of scientific journals.
The Regional Conference of Rectors of Academic Universities is made up of rectors of public and private universities from the Śląskie and Opolskie Voivodeships, as well as the President of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Katowice, Director of the Silesian Library, representative of the Main Council of Research and Development Units, Rectors of theological seminaries of the Archdiocese of Katowice and Częstochowa and the Opole Diocese and the Head of the Scientific Station of the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences in Katowice. The aim of its activities is to develop a common position and express opinions on matters related to education in the first, second and third cycle studies and postgraduate education, and on all matters relating to the academic community of universities associated in the conference.
