European Economic Congress with the participation of Silesian University of Technology
Security is the main motto of the 17th edition of the European Economic Congress, which began on April 23rd, 2025, in Katowice and will last until Friday – April 25th. It was also the main topic of discussion in panels, in which experts of the Silesian University of Technology participated.
“The table with the existing rules of national and international security has been overturned and the order needs to be rebuilt.” – said Wojciech Saługa, Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship, during the official opening of the European Economic Congress. “The safe order should be based on seven pillars” – emphasized Prof. Jerzy Buzek, former Prime Minister and President of the European Parliament in a letter to the participants of the Congress. “Apart from military security – border and people security – these pillars also include energy, food, economic, health and cybersecurity.”
Silesian University of Technology meets these expectations, and the voice of our representatives in the debates confirmed that the knowledge and experience of scientists can successfully support the transformation.
"We have heard a lot today about how much money will be spent on technology for armaments. We want to participate in this process. It should sound that not only industry, but also science and employees of the University can offer a lot in this area” - said the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk in the panel „Science for the economy".
The Rector noted that the presence of the Silesian University of Technology at the European Economic Congress is growing every year, and thanks to this the University becomes more and more recognizable. We have our stand where industry leaders and decision makers stop, and this brings tangible results in the form of new relationships and ventures.
“We are at the heart of the region that is most affected by the transformation process. We want to take part in these changes, hence the presence of our experts in the panels. We are working on the so-called White Book of Energy Transformation, in which we are strongly involved. The topics of digital transformation and climate policy are also important to us. Our experts have a lot to say on these topics.” – added the Rector.
The voice of the Silesian University of Technology was also voiced in talks on training staff for difficult times.
"For the sake of educating students and in the future graduates who will power the market, it is important that we attend events such as the European Economic Congress. We listen to the needs of business. We hear a lot about energy security, and we try to respond to it and construct our study programs in such a way that our graduates have the appropriate competences” – said Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Anna Chrobok, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education at the Silesian University of Technology
For this purpose, new fields of study corresponding to trends are launched. In previous years, they were - for example - nuclear technologies, and this year three new fields of study closely related to sustainable development will be created.
- “In May, recruitment for sustainable consumption and production, green technologies, as well as rehabilitation of post-industrial areas will begin. This is our response to the needs of the
market and the ongoing process of energy transformation in the region. Thus, we provide our future students with competences that will be required for.” – added the Vice-Rector.
In addition to its didactic role, Silesian University of Technology during the European Economic Congress emphasized its activities for the creation of innovations and modern technologies, thanks to which it supports industry and the economy.
- “You can see this from the interest in inventions at our stand. We have a lot to boast about when it comes to innovation for energy and security. Mars rover or drones are just some of those solutions that are currently being developed and needed” – said Dr Hab Eng. Marcin Staniek, Prof. SUT, Vice Rector for Collaboration with Civic and Economic Environment of the Silesian University of Technology
Today, the Silesian University of Technology stand has become a meeting place with business representatives, which may result in new projects with industry.
By Friday, the voice of the Silesian University of Technology will be heard in numerous debates.
On the first day of the congress, Prof. of Silesian University of Technology Jarosław Kozuba, director of the Civil Aviation Personnel Training Centre of Central and Eastern Europe at the Silesian University of Technology spoke in the panel on the future of aviation. Prof. Małgorzata Dobrowolska participated in the debate on the transformation of Silesia. On Thursday, Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Bożena Skołud, Vice-Rector for General Affairs will talk about the place of a man in Industry 5.0. , Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Szymon Ogonowski, Prof. of Silesian University of Technology will talk on digital competences– and the Dean of the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering; Dr Hab. Eng. Łukasz Bartela, Prof. SUT will discuss nuclear technologies.
We also invite you to listen to our experts on Friday, the last day of the Congress on the topics of international cooperation of universities, climate education and competences for the time of transformation.
fot. Maciej Mutwil
