"Between science and politics" – another lecture at the Faculty of Organization and Management
At the Faculty of Organization and Management of the Silesian University of Technology, another open lecture was held as part of the series “Faces of Business, Science and Politics. Management in Theory and Practice.” The topic of the discussion was the space “Between Science and Politics.”
Prof. Marek Gzik, the Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education took part in the meeting at the invitation of Dr Hab. Aleksandra Kuzior, Prof. SUT, the Dean of the Faculty of Organization and Management.
- After the parliamentary elections of 2023, I received a proposal from Prime Minister Donald Tusk. I became the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Education and Science, and after the separation of the two ministries I am responsible, among others, for the budget and financial programs of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education - said Prof. Marek Gzik.
The minister stated that from the point of view of the government, the time has come when it is impossible to save on expenses related to defence and security in the broad sense. At the same time, he drew attention to the need for constant care for the development of the country, and at the same time to maintain its investment attractiveness.
Describing the current activity of the ministry, he emphasized that the ministry is responsible for over 100 public universities and 350 private universities. The number does not include art schools, medical schools or institutions subordinate to the Ministry of Interior and Administration. Meanwhile, the number of students is still decreasing, which will mean the need to implement an unpopular process of merging universities. So far, despite the financial incentives, no school has taken up this challenge.
- Demography is inexorable, - said Professor Marek Gzik, stressing the need for greater openness to research and cooperation with the economic environment. He also mentioned the project of construction, modernization, and purchase of buildings for the purpose of creating academic houses.
- The past two years have been good for Polish science, although of course they could have been better. Let’s develop our research projects. Let’s work with local government units. Income must be diversified. Currently, the most important topic is evaluation. 23 universities in Poland meet the criteria of an elite ten – he stated, describing the principles of selecting research universities, the status of which is currently enjoyed by the Silesian University of Technology.
After the lecture, Prof. Marek Gzik answered the questions of numerous students and researchers of the Faculty.
Text by Dariusz Krawczyk
