Rector Professor Arkadiusz Mężyk as the Chairman of Huta Łabędy S.A. Programme Council (Łabędy Steeelworks)

On 8 December 2021, the inaugural meeting of the Programme Council for the Development of Huta Łabędy S.A. took place. The Council was established in order to integrate the business, academic and parliamentary communities based on the long term experience of their supporters.

The President of the Management Board of Huta Łabędy S.A. Marek Palka recommended the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Professor Arkadiusz Mężyk PhD, DSc for the post of the chairman of the Programme Council.

The scientific profile of the candidate was presented by the Vice-Rector for Collaboration with the Civic and Economic Environment, Professor Janusz Kotowicz. He also presented common areas of interest of the Silesian University of Technology and Huta Łabędy, emphasizing the connections with Priority Research Areas. The participants unanimously approved Professor A. Mężyk's nomination for the Chairman of the Council. Professor Janusz Kotowicz, on behalf of the Rector, accepted the appointment.

The positions of Vice-Chairpersons were accepted by Dorota Tobiszowska, Senator of the Republic of Poland, President of the Management Board of Węglokoks S.A.- Tomasz Heryszek PhD, President of the Management Board of the Polish Steel Association - Stefan Dzienniak, and the President of the Regional Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Gliwice - Wiktor Pawlik.

The establishment of the council is a chance for Huta Łabędy S.A. to enter a new stage of its activity, especially related to necessary changes in the market and ecological areas. Support and interest of the recognized authorities will help build business relations and seek investments that will enable the company to move forward.

Among the guests there were also representatives of other universities and scientific institutions: Vice-Rector for Development and Cooperation with External Environment at the University of Economics in Katowice, Professor Robert Wolny PhD, the representative of the Rector of the University of Economics, Professor Celina M. Olszak PhD, DSc; Adam Zieliński PhD, DSc, Director of the Stanisław Staszic Institute for Ferrous Metallurgy, Łukasiewicz Research Network. The industry was represented by: Marek Bar Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Huta Łabędy S.A., Grzegorz Muszyński President of the Management Board of JSW Innowacje S.A., Mariusz Wielkopolan Vice-President of the Management Board for Operations of JSW Innowacje S.A. and Jakub Seraczyna WĘGLOKOKS STAL Sp. z o.o. Representatives of financial institutions were also present: Wojciech Hann - President of the Management Board of Bank Ochrony Środowiska S.A. and Jerzy Kwieciński PhD, Vice-President of the Management Board of Pekao S.A.       

Due to the pandemic restrictions, not everyone could participate in person, therefore the meeting was held in a blended form.