ChemSpot – the Faculty Conference of Young Scientists was held at the Silesian University of Technology
Young scientists, representatives of industry and new ideas for cooperation – the next edition of the ChemSpot conference took place in the Education and Congress Centre of the Silesian University of Technology. The event provides a platform for the presentation of students’ diploma theses and the exchange of experiences between academia and business, providing young researchers with an opportunity to establish contacts with future employers.
The event was attended by experienced scientists, PhD students and students, as well as representatives of local governments and companies cooperating with the Silesian University of Technology. The final-year students presented the results of their research, and the industrial partners had the opportunity to learn about innovative solutions and potential future employees.
– This is a meeting of experienced scientists with young scientists, PhD students and students who present their achievements not only to each other, but also to the wide socio-economic environment – emphasized the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology Prof. Marek Pawełczyk.
As he noted, the presence of external partners creates an opportunity to present the research potential of the University and develop cooperation with business.
- We are very interested in obtaining projects financed from external sources, but also in patenting our solutions and their implementation. Such an event is a great opportunity to create new projects and initiatives based on scientific achievements – said the Rector.
The ChemSpot conference was held for the second time, but the tradition of students’ meetings with industry at the Faculty of Chemistry has been around for many years.
– It all started with small meetings organized in the Department of Chemical Organic Technology and Petrochemistry on the initiative of Prof. Jan Zawadiak. Later, the event was extended to the entire Faculty of Chemistry, and today it has a very modern character and a huge range. From intimate meetings, we moved to a conference that brings together students, scientists, and industrial partners from all over the country – emphasized the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education Prof. Anna Chrobok.
ChemSpot is multidimensional. It is not only an opportunity to present the results of research, but also an opportunity to gain experience.
– Our students can present their research results to industry representatives, gain soft skills, and establish first contacts with the employer. In turn, companies can meet young scientists and establish cooperation with the University - added Prof. Anna Chrobok.
In this year’s edition of ChemSpot, 54 posters of final-year students and nearly 50 posters of young scientists, i.e. people up to seven years after obtaining the doctoral degree were presented. The event was also attended by 14 companies representing the chemical industry and the modern technology sector, and the total number of participants reached about 300 people.
The support of the event was provided by the following companies from the economic sector: Avantor, Pollab, Orlen, Synthos, Cemis-Tech, Selvita, Losentech, Normec i2 Analytical, ADW, Fuchs, LPP Equipment Warsaw, Ichemad Profarb, Lakma, Nitroerg.
– This is a very important event for young scientists, because they gain experience in presenting the results of their research and the achievements obtained in the framework of the Master’s theses. They can also show them to representatives of the industry, discuss with them, and see what the perspective of the future employer looks like – emphasized Dr Eng. Piotr Latos, the Vice-Dean for Infrastructure and Organization at the Faculty of Chemistry of the Silesian University of Technology.
As he noted, the conference provides students not only the opportunity to present their achievements, but also to establish valuable professional contacts.
- Companies that come to ChemSpot do not hide that they are looking for job candidates. This is an opportunity for young scientists to show their ideas, which in the future can be applied in industrial practice – he added.
According to Aleksandra Pajor, Manager in the Technology and R&D Department of Orlen Południe in Trzebinia, ChemSpot is a unique meeting space for science and business, allowing industry representatives to get acquainted with research topics undertaken by students and young scientists.
– For us, it is very valuable to contact students and the opportunity to observe what they are working on. From year to year, these topics are increasingly reflecting the real needs of the industry – said Aleksandra Pajor.
The representative of the company pointed out that the cooperation between science and business is becoming an indispensable element of the development of innovative solutions.
Research carried out at universities meets the needs of enterprises. More and more often, they end up not only developing results but also implementing concrete solutions in practice – she emphasized.
Young participants of the conference emphasize that ChemSpot is an opportunity for them to improve their ability to present research results and public speaking.
- We can show the results of research that we have worked very hard on for a year and a half. Such conferences also teach us how to present our achievements and deal with stress during public speaking – said Anita Procek, a chemistry student.
- Writing thesis is one thing, but presenting its most important assumptions on one poster is a completely different challenge. Such events teach us to present research results and a creative approach to the transfer of knowledge – emphasized Mateusz Pilszek, a student of chemical technology.
The Silesian University of Technology and the Faculty of Chemistry were the organizers of the event.
The ChemSpot event was held under the honorary patronage of the Minister of Science and Higher Education Marcin Kulasek, the Presidents of Gliwice, Zabrze, Rybnik and Katowice, the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, the Institute of Renewable Raw Materials Chemistry, the Polish Chemical Society, the Polish Chamber of Chemical Industry and Grupa Azoty in Chorzów. The media patron was the Academic Forum.
The event was co-financed from the funds of the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis, obtained by Dr Eng. Piotr Latos.
