Meeting of the university authorities of the consortium of the European City of Science Katowice 2024 with parliamentarians at the Silesian University of Technology  

Krystyna Szumilas M.P, Chairwoman of the Sejm Education, Science and Youth Committee and Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Gzik, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education met in the Senate Hall of the Silesian University of Technology with the authorities of Silesian universities. There were discussions about current issues concerning the higher education system and programs for the Silesian Voivodeship. 

The meeting took place on 13th of May and was an opportunity to discuss the most important issues related to higher education as well as the expectations of the university authorities.  
Krystyna Szumilas M.P., the chair of the Sejm Education, Science and Youth Committee, former Minister of Education, pointed out, among other things, the need to conduct scientific research based on a prior analysis of social needs and environmental research. In turn, Prof Gzik stressed the need to promote science and the entire region through scientific and research achievements of Silesian university employees. 
The issues of funding science were an important topic of the meeting – Prof. Celina Olszak, Rector of the University of Economics in Katowice, pointed out that real spending on science in Poland, representing 1.1% of GDP, is falling, while in Germany it amounts to 3% of GDP and in South Korea as much as 4%. 

The chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Youth assured that parliamentarians will regularly talk with representatives of the academic community and consult on proposed changes in the education system.