MoleCon and Chemicals at the Silesian University of Technology
National Scientific Conference, poster sessions and popular science lecture and chemical demonstrations. On the 6th of June, a MoleCon and Chemicals conference was held at the Faculty of Chemistry of the Silesian University of Technology. The events, integrating scientists, students, and enthusiasts of chemistry, were also part of the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Faculty of Chemistry.
- “I have been associated with the Faculty of Chemistry for 35 years, including the time of my studies. We are proud of the 80th anniversary. We have worked hard over the last few decades to ensure that the Faculty has such a shape and is developing very dynamically. In the disciplines of chemical science and chemical engineering, we have a category a+, which is why it is a great place to work and study. We work very well with the industry, creating joint projects. All this is due to scientists who allow students and PhD students to participate in research. Young people engage in scientific work, live it, and know that research has a real impact on what is happening in the world. While organizing such events as MoleCon and Chemicals, we try to disenchant chemistry and show how interesting it can be” - said the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education Prof. Anna Chrobok.
Friday’s events at the Faculty of Chemistry began with the MoleCon conference.
- “This event is a referral to young scientists, organized for the first time by the Student Science Club of Chemists. Science Clubs from other universities from all over Poland were also invited to participate in the event. MoleCon and Chemicals are also part of the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Faculty of Chemistry, but also the 80th anniversary of the Silesian University of Technology,” said the Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry Prof. Wojciech Simka.
The idea of organizing a conference for chemistry students was born a year ago.
- “Our students are very active, young scientists, they go to many conferences and seminars. We decided that we need to follow the lead and organize something ourselves, where we will be able to present the results of our research” – said Hubert Knap from the Student Club of Chemists.
- “The conference is also an opportunity to discuss with young scientists from all over Poland, exchange ideas and, most importantly, establish new contacts and cooperation” – adds the student.
The conference began with a lecture by the Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry, Prof. Wojciech Simka, titled “Zircon or Zirconia,” then there were presentations of PhD students.
-” I am a PhD student in my first year, so I will present my first results. Participation in such an event is not only an opportunity to show colleagues from other universities what we do, but also a chance to establish contacts and get used to public speeches, which will certainly be useful in the future” – says Kornelia Kubies, PhD student in the Department of Chemical, Organic Technology and Petrochemistry of the Silesian University of Technology.
After the conference, a poster session was held during which students could present the results of their engineering and master’s theses, while in the afternoon “Chemicals” started - an event that last year was organized after a dozen or so years break.
The idea turned out to be a hit, so this year again all interested parties were invited to participate. And many of them took advantage of it enjoying a perfect atmosphere in the beautiful scenery of the square behind the “Gray chemistry” building.
- “With this event we wanted to capture in a beautiful way the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Faculty of Chemistry” - says Agnieszka Kicińska from the Student Science Club of Chemists, the organizer of the event. – “Everyone could taste our delicious department cookies, take part in the lottery and barbecue, as well as use the photomirror. There was no shortage of attractions for children – there was painting the face, and bubbles. During the final of the event, everyone could watch a spectacular chemical show.”
