60th anniversary of the Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science
The Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science has been operating for 60 years. On this occasion, on June 6th, celebrations were held with the participation of the rector's and dean's authorities as well as former and current employees and students. There were also representatives of companies that have been successfully cooperating with the Faculty for years.
There was cake, artistic performances and memories. The 60th anniversary of the Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science was an opportunity to summarize and congratulate. The authorities of the Silesian University of Technology have no doubt that it is one of the most dynamically operating faculties at the University.
- The largest number of students study at this faculty. This also means the largest number of employees and the largest budget, emphasized Rector Mężyk. – The Faculty operates in the area of the latest technologies, therefore the visibility of the results of the work of scientists from this unit is very important and discussed, which is an excellent promotion for fields related to the modern technologies industry, artificial intelligence or automation and electronics – he added.
Currently, over 2,700 students are studying in all fields. It is a factory of excellent staff for companies in the region.
- The Faculty has always been the foundation of Silesia's development in the area of introducing new technologies into the economy. We are currently playing an important role in the region's restructuring process. We educate experts needed on the market in the field of automation of industrial and medical processes, as well as specialists in microinformatics - said Prof. Dariusz Kania, the Dean of the Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science.
These specializations are very valuable in the current labour market, as evidenced by the Faculty's extensive cooperation with Polish and global corporations. Representatives of companies with which the Faculty cooperates on a daily basis expressed their gratitude yesterday for their joint activities so far.
- We are proud to cooperate with the Faculty and the Silesian University of Technology. In addition to basic activities that have a common goal - good education for students, we are happy that we can organize additional training for them. We know that the students who take part in them are already interested in a specific specialization, and we can offer them a specific job within the company's structures - said Adam Juretko, managing director of the ALSTOM branch in Katowice.
Entrepreneurs present at the anniversary unanimously admitted that the majority of their staff are graduates of the so-called "magicians' tower", and the opportunity to participate in meetings of the Dean's Council gives them the opportunity to actually report the needs of employers and industry.
It is worth noting that the Faculty has recently been trusted by the global corporation Intel, which wants to train staff at the Silesian University of Technology for the newly built factory in Wrocław.
The Rector-elect, Prof. Marek Pawełczyk, who has been associated with this unit from the beginning of his professional career, also argued that studies at the Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science are a springboard to an excellent career.
- I am proud to be a graduate of this Faculty. My entire scientific career is connected with this place. I started working while still a student, I was well taken care of and, to be honest, I never wanted to change these structures - admitted Prof. Pawełczyk. - It has always been a very ambitious Faculty that set high goals for itself. Despite difficult housing conditions, we have managed to provide excellent education here and I believe that this will not change - added the Rector-elect.
![DSC_3026[1]](https://www.polsl.pl/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/DSC_30261.jpg)
It is worth recalling that the Faculty was established in 1964 by order of the Minister of Higher Education. It was the first independent Faculty of Automation in Poland. The Faculty of Automation consisted of 7 Departments - Department of Industrial Electronics, Department of Regulation Theory, Department of Industrial Measurement, Department of Automation Devices, Department of Industrial Process Automation, Department of Signal Transfer Theory, Department of Automation Devices Design. The first dean was Prof. Tadeusz Zagajewski. The classes were held in the building of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at Wincenty Pstrowski Street, (currently Akademicka 10) and at Marcin Strzoda Street, where the Dean's Office was also located. Construction of the new building began in 1967 and was completed in 1973.
To commemorate the history of the Faculty, a commemorative plaque to Prof. Zdzisław Trybalski, an outstanding scientist of this unit and one of the founders of the Faculty. was unveiled during the jubilee. This is another commemorative plaque in this place. The unveiling was performed personally by the professor's son.
- I'm very moved. When I remember my father's work, I remember that it took place in yet another place, at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in the so-called attic. Dad was very absorbed in his scientific work, it was very important to him, so he was often absent, but when he could, he made up for it and spoiled his family - recalled Piotr Trybalski.
Thursday's anniversary was an opportunity to recall many memories. Many graduates attended the ceremony.
- In 1972, I came to study in Gliwice from a small town. At the beginning it was a difficult time for me, but I started studying in a field related to medicine and I hoped for a good job - recalled M.Sc. Elżbieta Ibrom. – It was the first course in which twenty girls studied. It was an extraordinary event at the time. When we entered a room, male students stepped aside to make a passage for us, Elżbieta recalled with sentiment.
In the 1970s, Dr Lesław Socha also graduated from this Faculty.
- It was an exceptional Faculty. The first one in Poland, where people led by Professor Węgrzyn came up with the idea of education in the field of automation. And thanks to this, I was already learning about artificial intelligence at that time - added Dr Hab. Socha.
Approximately 750 students graduate from the Faculty each year.
