Conference of the College of Vice-Rectors
The Conference of the College of Vice-Rectors for General Affairs, Organization and Contacts with the Socio-Economic Environment of public technical universities and the College of Vice-Rectors for Science and Development was held in Poznań. Professor Janusz Kotowicz was appointed as honorary chairman.
A prestigious conference was held from June 5th to 7th , 2024, organized by the College of Vice-Rectors for General Affairs, Organization and Contacts with the Socio-Economic Environment of public technical universities and the College of Vice-Rectors for Science and Development. This time, the conference participants were hosted by the Poznań University of Technology. The event gathered fifty-two vice-rectors of public technical universities from all over Poland, who debated the key challenges and the future of higher education and cooperation with the socio-economic environment. Our University was represented by vice-rector for cooperation with the socio-economic environment, Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Janusz Kotowicz, as well as future vice-rectors of the 2024-2028 term: Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Bożena Skołud, Dr Hab. Eng. Marcin Staniek, Prof. SUT, and Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Sebastian Werle.
The conference was officially opened by Prof. Teofil Jesionowski, His Magnificence Rector of the Poznań University of Technology, who emphasized the importance of cooperation between technical universities and joint action for the development of science and technology. The ceremony was also attended by the presidents of both colleges, Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Janusz Kotowicz and Dr Hab. Eng. Adam Bajger Prof. of Maritime University of Szczecin.
Prof. Janusz Kotowicz reminded the conference participants about the beginnings of the College of Vice-Rectors for General Affairs, Organization and Contacts with the Socio-Economic Environment of public technical universities, about its previous authorities and mentioned previous conferences. He thanked the participants for their commitment and contribution during these meetings. This is the last year of Prof. Janusz Kotowicz term as president of the College. He was its chairman from the beginning of the college's existence, i.e. since 2017.
During the first session of the conference, there were three main presentations:
- Current work and plans of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education - Prof. Maria Mrówczyńska, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, presented current initiatives and plans of the ministry aimed at supporting and developing scientific research and higher education in Poland.
- Activities of the National Centre for Research and Development – Prof. Jerzy Małachowski, Director of NCBR, discussed the latest projects implemented by NCBR, which are aimed at promoting innovation and supporting the country's technological progress.
- Discussion Panel: The role of NCBR in shaping Poland's technological future - Panel moderated by Prof. Wojciech Sumelka from the Poznań University of Technology gathered outstanding experts:
- Prof. Jerzy Małachowski - NCBR
- Prof. Teofil Jesionowski - His Magnificence Rector of the Poznań University of Technology
- Prof. Adam Woźniak - Warsaw University of Technology
- Prof. Łukasz Albrecht - Lodz University of Technology
- Prof. Rafał Wiśniowski - AGH University of Science and Technology
The discussion focused on the role of NCBR in promoting innovation and cooperation between universities and industry. Participants also discussed the challenges and opportunities related to the implementation of modern technologies in the national economy.
The second session of the conference was equally inspiring and covered topics related to metrology, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity:
- Polish Metrology and university cooperation with the Central Office of Measures in the light of the new Świętokrzyskie Laboratory Campus - Prof. Jacek Semaniak, President of the Central Office of Measures, and Dr Andrzej Kurkiewicz, Director at GUM (Central Office of Measures), presented new perspectives of cooperation between universities and GUM.
- Threats of artificial intelligence – Prof. Andrzej Jaszkiewicz, Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and Telecommunications, Poznań University of Technology, discussed potential threats related to the development of artificial intelligence and strategies for minimizing them.
- Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity – Prof. Mariusz Głąbowski, Poznań University of Technology, presented the activities and goals of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity of the Poznań University of Technology.
Conference participants, due to the end of the second term of office of the chairman of Prof. Janusz Kotowicz, elected the new chairman of the College of Vice-Rectors for General Affairs, Organization and Contacts with the Socio-Economic Environment of public technical universities. It is the vice-rector for cooperation at AGH University of Science and Technology, Prof. Rafal Wisniowski. At the same time, Prof. Artur Bejger was re-elected as the chairman of the College of Vice-Rectors for Science and Development.
Meeting participants, at the request of vice-rectors: Prof. Rafał Wiśniowski from AGH, Grzegorz Królczyk from the Opole University of Technology, Prof. Adam Woźniak from the Warsaw University of Technology and Prof. Artur Bejger from the Maritime University of Technology, presented a proposal to create the position of the Chairman of the Honorary College of Vice-Rectors for General Affairs, Organization and Contacts with the Socio-Economic Environment of public technical universities. Professor Janusz Kotowicz from the Silesian University of Technology was proposed for this position. The gathered vice-rectors unanimously supported this proposal.
