20th anniversary of Technopark Gliwice
The Science and Technology Park “Technopark Gliwice” celebrated the 20th anniversary. The ceremony took place on 15th March 2024 with the participation of the authorities of the Silesian University of Technology, the Katowice Special Economic Zone (KSEZ), Gliwice and Technopark. The Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education prof. Marek Gzik and former Prime Ministers of the Republic of Poland: prof. Jerzy Buzek and prof. Marek Belka were the special guests.
“Technopark Gliwice” was established in April 2004. The company was founded by three entities: Silesian University of Technology, the City of Gliwice, and the Katowice Special Economic Zone.
“By creating Technopark, we were learning modern forms of technology transfer. Currently, this model is quite common, especially where we observe advanced development of research and transfer of the results of this research to the economy. This is done primarily by creating start-ups, companies, spin-offs, various forms of activity of employees, students or PhD students who develop projects that are implemented later in practice – said the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, prof. Arkadiusz Mężyk.
The main goal of Technopark in Gliwice is to support academic entrepreneurship.
- During this time, many interesting companies were incubated here, and we hope that there will be more and more of them. We are also very pleased that Technopark is managed by people working at the Silesian University of Technology, in close proximity to the university and every employee, student or PhD has the opportunity to take advantage of a wide range of programs supporting the development of entrepreneurship – added the Rector.
Technopark Gliwice supports the creation of modern and innovative technology companies by young people completing technical studies, as well as doctoral students and academic staff of universities, mainly from the IT industry, pneumatics, automation, robotics and electronics.
It is a place where what is born in the minds of scientists is transformed into a specific product, which then goes to the market. Technopark offers not only financial support, but also access to offices, laboratories, or participation in projects – said prof. Jan Kosmol, President of the Board of the Science and Technology Park “Technopark Gliwice.”
In the opinion of the president of Gliwice, Technopark is an important unit on the economic map not only of the city, but also of the region. “This is our leading company when it comes to economic development and development of new technologies, this is the place where we implement the so-called golden triangle, i.e. cooperation of public authorities with science and business. This place serves to incubate this modern scientific and technological thought, strengthen, and then power the free market of goods and services - emphasized Adam Neumann, President of Gliwice.
“You can say Technopark is our little brother. During these 20 years, it changed not only the face of science and Gliwice, but also the entire Silesian Voivodeship, just like the Katowice Special Economic Zone. Technopark is a very important partner for us in all projects related to social, economic and, of course, technical and economic transformation – adds dr Janusz Michałek, President of the Katowice Special Economic Zone.
The current Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education, prof. Marek Gzik was also associated with Technopark in Gliwice.
- In this place, 15 years ago I launched the first 3D cave in Poland, also here together with two friends we created a company that prepared 3D models for operations performed by professor Adam Maciejewski from the National Institute of Oncology in Gliwice. It was here that we met as the Scientific Council of the Centre for Biomedical Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology and took part in meetings and training sessions. All this gave me knowledge and experience, which I use, already serving as a Deputy Minister - emphasized prof. Marek Gzik.
The special guests of the 20th anniversary of the Science and Technology Park “Technopark Gliwice” were also MEPs and former prime ministers of the Republic of Poland: prof Jerzy Buzek and prof Marek Belka.
- Gliwice is an absolute leader in Poland. Here the idea to connect the three points of the golden triangle: Self-government, entrepreneurship, and science was born. At the Silesian University of Technology, there was never any doubt that real ideas flowing to industry can come only from science, which will deal with innovation and creation of the best technological solutions – said professor Jerzy Buzek.
In turn, prof. Marek Belka pointed out that such places as Technopark in Gliwice are of great importance for the economic development of the region. People know very well what their needs are. No one will come from Brussels or Warsaw to tell the citizens of Gliwice what the city and the region needs, added Mark Belka.
During the ceremony, prof. Buzek gave a short lecture entitled “The future of Silesia – energy transformation” and prof Marek Belka under the title “World economy – and what will be the flashpoints leading to the next crisis?”
During the 20th anniversary of Technopark, the project “IT hub Gliwice” was initiated, which assumes the extension of the existing infrastructure with two new buildings. Construction of the first one will begin in 2024. The end of the investment is planned for 2028. The buildings will be powered using green energy.
The resulting infrastructure will contribute to the improvement of the business and consumer environment, as well as to the modernization and development of the industrial base. The new buildings will support companies from the modern technology industries that are part of the “Regional Innovation Strategy of the Silesian Voivodeship 2030”, including automation, ICT, modern energy generation sources and medical devices.
