National Congress of Student Culture Centres
On the 25th -26th of September, the National Congress of Student Culture Centres was held at the “Mrowisko” Student Culture Centre with the participation of representatives of over a dozen cultural centres operating at universities in our country. The event was attended by the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk and Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education, Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Anna Chrobok.
The National Congress of Student Culture Centres is a unique meeting devoted to the history, present and future of student culture – it is a space for exchanging experiences and inspirations for centres from all over Poland.
- We belong to the National Forum of Student Culture, which was established four years ago on the initiative of the Academic Centre for Culture and Media UMCS “Chatka Żaka” in Lublin. In Poland there are 14 cultural centres, for students and non-commercial, that operate at universities. We meet every year in Lublin to discuss our plans and share our experiences. This nationwide congress was an open event so that everyone could see how we operate in Gliwice. This is its first edition, but we hope that in the coming years it will also take place – each time in a different city – says the Director of CKS “Mrowisko” Katarzyna Jankowska.
The participants had the pleasure to take part, among others, in the workshop “ Me before the camera”, which was conducted by the Press Officer of the Silesian University of Technology Iwona Flanczewska-Rogalska, and “Courage to be Authentic” conducted by the Director of the Business School of the Silesian University of Technology, Dr Hab Małgorzata Dobrowolska, Prof. SUT.
The official opening of the event was attended by the Rector Marek Pawełczyk and Vice-Rector Anna Chrobok.
- There are not many such centres in Poland as the Student Culture Centre "Mrowisko". It is unique. For several decades, the Silesian University of Technology Academic Choir, the Silesian University of Technology Academic Music Ensemble, the Silesian University of Technology Academic Dance Ensemble “Dąbrowiacy” or the “Remont” Academic Theatre have been operating here. This is not obvious in the case of a technical university. Gliwice is traditionally connected with culture, and our students and academic staff are connected with it, because in our “Mrowisko” there are up to three hundred events a year – explains Rector Marek Pawełczyk, who emphasized that it is also an important place for foreign students. – Here they can meet new people in an informal atmosphere, make friends with them, get to know our culture, but also show a part of the culture of the country from which they come.
- We would like our graduate to be both an engineer and a humanist. These terms are not contradictory. After all, Leonardo da Vinci himself was not only a sculptor or musician, but also an architect and an engineer, because he constructed the first flying machine – says Vice-Rector Anna Chrobok. - We would like our students to be empathetic, to understand the world around them, but also to take responsibility for their research and projects in the future. Culture shapes sensitivity and fosters innovation – and these are the qualities an engineer should possess.
The opening ceremony was accompanied by a performance of the actors Studio Wit-Wit. After its completion, everyone could listen to a panel discussion on “Student Culture Yesterday and Today.” Among the participants were: Director Katarzyna Jankowska, Marek Niewiarowski (as the moderators of the discussion) and Vice-Dean for Student Affairs and Education of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Dr Eng. Rafał Setlak, Wojciech Nurk (student activist of the 80s), student representative and manager of the “Spiral” Student Club Kacper Moskała and director of UMCS Chatka Żaka, Izabela Pastuszko.
- We need to remember that student culture exists and is very important. It gives these young people a sense of community. Students need integration, and this also resonated very much in our panel. They love to meet, de-stress, and then they also create a lot of great things. All you need to do is give them a place and a chance - explains Director Katarzyna Jankowska.
