New space for students at the Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering
At the Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology a new space for students was created. It is a place of rest, learning, meetings, and integration. The zone includes Relax Zone, Coffee Zone and Print Zone. The zone is located in the central part of the Faculty, in building B.
During the opening of the new space, the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education Prof. Anna Chrobok emphasized that the new space is to be more than just a place for students to spend time between classes.
- There is a really amazing facility for students here. I would even say that this is their second home. They can come here during a break or before classes, talk, have a coffee, eat something, or even bring their own cup and leave it in the cupboard here.
As the Vice-Rector pointed out, such spaces are created at the Silesian University of Technology so that students can spend more time at the University and take advantage of additional activities. The new space can foster not only meetings, but also the exchange of ideas between students of different years and majors.
- The student zone will certainly help in integration between years and majors, and perhaps also between Faculties It is important that students will be able to exchange ideas here and create new ideas for projects that they will later develop as part of a project-oriented education. This zone will certainly affect their development - said Prof Anna Chrobok.
The new place has been prepared as a space responding to the different needs of students. As emphasized by the Dean of the Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering Prof. Mariusz Dudziak, there is a place here for both rest and learning, as well as meetings and activities of student self-government.
The creation of such a space was particularly important due to the dispersion of the Faculty. Classes are held in several facilities, so until now there was no place that could become a common meeting point.
- This is the integration point of the whole community. The Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering has 10 different teaching facilities and there was no place where we could meet and integrate - says the Dean.
The ecological character of the new space is also important.
- The whole zone refers to the profile of the Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering. There is a lot of greenery in it, there are also solutions related to energy saving. We wanted it to be ecological and economical - he emphasizes.
Dr Anna Węgrzyn, head of the Student Services Office at the Faculty, also spoke about how the zone is to be used by students.
- We would like them to integrate here, relax, and spend time with each other. Establishing relationships is not always easy today, which is why such a place can foster mutual support, getting to know each other and building friendships - she said.
Anna Piotrowska, President of the Student Self-Government at the Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering, emphasized that the creation of such a place is a response to the needs reported by students.
- It was absolutely necessary. Students came to us and said that they needed a zone where they could eat, relax or integrate.
The Student Self-Government actively participated in the preparation of the space and students could submit their proposals for its equipment.
- At the beginning, only a relaxation and gaming zone was planned, but we had an impact on the final shape of this space. So, we reported the needed to create also a small cafe and this is the zone that was created. Coffee Zone is our newest place - she said.
For students, the equipment of the zone itself is equally important as a possibility to be able to meet in one place.
- It is simply important for our entire faculty community that we are able to meet in one place - emphasized Anna Piotrowska.
As she added, the zone can also be used when working together on projects and ideas.
- Sometimes we have typical student problems - we do not know how to deal with a project, we are looking for a solution, or we want to develop an innovative idea at our Faculty. Then we can meet here, talk, and together determine what else is worth refining or adding - she said.
There are already plans for other ways to use the new space. Students are waiting for a projector in the Game Zone room, where they will be able to conduct presentations, film screenings, or karaoke.
- All this in order to unite the community of our entire Faculty - sums up Anna Piotrowska.
