80 years of the Faculty of Chemistry. Huge achievements and new perspectives
In 2025, the Faculty of Chemistry of the Silesian University of Technology celebrates a unique jubilee – the 80th anniversary of its existence. This is an excellent opportunity to summarize the long-term scientific and didactic achievements of this unit. During today’s ceremony at the Education and Congress Centre, there were no shortage of memories and wishes for the coming years.
The Faculty of Chemistry of the Silesian University of Technology has been educating students for 80 years. On the occasion of the noble jubilee, during today’s celebration, there were memories and thanks to all those who created it from the beginning.
The Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry Prof. Dr Hab. Eng Wojciech Simka noted that the unit works thanks to the involvement of its predecessors, and they deserve special thanks.
“Thanks to the work of hundreds of people, many generations, we are where we are. It is one of the leading scientific faculties of the Silesian University of Technology “– the Dean proudly noted and added that currently the Faculty of Chemistry can boast of the a+ education category in two scientific categories. - “This drives us to act, although times are difficult, we set ourselves new goals and we intend to pursue them step by step,” he added.
Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk confirmed that the faculty is the pride of the University.
- “Scientific achievements confirm that it is indeed an elite faculty and a reason for pride for the Silesian University of Technology. We would like to reach out to young people with this message. Chemistry majors are a good prospect for students. Graduates of these faculties have a bright future ahead of them, because in Silesia the industry in this area is well developed.” – said the Rector.
The representatives of companies cooperating with the Faculty also spoke to confirm these words, presenting the possibilities of cooperation and future prospects for graduates of chemical sciences.
The former students of the faculty did not hide that they easily found employment in the labour market. Memories were shared by both young and old graduates.
-” We met at the Faculty of Chemistry. We lived in Karolinka Student House. I was still a student before defending my master’s thesis when we got married. Today we are going back with sentiment to the old thresholds, and we are going to look at our favourite places” - said Dorota Polańska. Her husband, Prof. Andrzej Polański added that from the beginning they were connected by chemistry. - “We were both chemists, although we worked in different places over the years. But chemistry is still present in our lives,” he added with a smile.
In the first year of the Faculty’s activity, about 400 students studied here. Over the years, several generations of chemists have been educated here. Today, the educational and scientific potential is also evidenced by the numbers. The offer of education at the Faculty includes five majors and education within the Joint Doctoral School. The scientific effects for the previous year 2024 only testify to the quality of conducting scientific research at a high level. Last year,
scientists associated with the Faculty of Chemistry published 287 publications and obtained 23 patents. They also received 19 scientific projects.
- “In 1996 I started studies at the Faculty of Chemistry of the Silesian University of Technology and to this day I am associated with it. “I hope to see a retirement here,” said Professor Simka. - “The Faculty is growing all the time. It has potential. Although we are aware that we operate in historic buildings and we certainly must and want to invest in it” – he added.
For years, the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Anna Chrobok has also been associated with the Faculty of Chemistry.
- “This is an important day for me because I celebrate my private jubilee. 35 years ago, I passed my secondary school diploma and since then since my studies I have been associated with the Silesian University of Technology – noted Prof. Chrobok. “I studied chemical technology, chose the scientific path in collaboration with industry, and I don’t regret that choice. Our students and graduates also have interesting prospects. Specialists in the field of chemical technology, chemistry, chemical engineering, or sustainable development are currently in high demand on the labour market” - she added.
It is the field of sustainable production and consumption, which will be launched in the new academic year, and currently recruitment is underway, it is one of those majors where future students of the Faculty of Chemistry can study. Classes will take place in modern laboratories, which the Faculty has at its disposal. Chemistry education takes place in the buildings of New Chemistry, but also in the historic buildings of the so-called Grey and Red Chemistry on the Strzody Street.
Since its founding in 1945, the Faculty of Chemistry has been continuously developing, educating successive generations of chemists, engineers, and scientists, and conducting research that has had a significant impact on the development of national and global chemistry.
The celebration of the 80th anniversary is not only a time of memories, but also a look into the future. During the jubilee celebrations, a ChemSPOT scientific conference was planned.
Commemorative medals were also awarded to outstanding graduates, distinguished guests, and ambassadors of the Faculty. The medals went, among others, to the hands of the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Marek Pawełczyk and the Mayor of Gliwice – Katarzyna Kuczyńska-Budka.
fot. Martin Huć
