Scholarships under the “Universities of the Future” project have been awarded
Ten innovative student projects received financial support from the National Centre for Research and Development as part of the first edition of the “Universities of the Future” project. It is an initiative that aims to personalize higher education and promote entrepreneurship among students.
The project involves 12 of the best universities in Poland. In addition to the Silesian University of Technology, these are: Poznań University of Technology, Gdańsk University of Technology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, University of Economics in Wrocław, University of Silesia in Katowice, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, University of Agriculture named after Hugon Kołłątaj in Krakow, Lodz University of Technology, Warsaw University of Technology, University of Warsaw and Medical University of Warsaw. In the first stage of recruitment, student ideas were subject to substantive evaluation in universities. 20 people from each university qualified for the next stage. In the next step, an independent commission selected 10 best projects from each university, which, after the final evaluation of the Business Innovation Training Team selected by the NCBR, will receive 20 000, - PLN to cover the costs of implementation.
- This is a project that aims to individualize education, we want to pay attention to the needs of the student and offer them what they are interested in. If the student wants to learn on their own, the process of education will be easier for both parties - said Professor Beata Orlińska, director of the College of Studies at the Silesian University of Technology.
Students of the Silesian University of Technology showed their creativity, the topics of projects that will be implemented under the supervision of a substantive supervisor include a biosensor for detecting genes of resistance to antibiotics in atmospheric aerosols, a map of water pollution of the Silesian Voivodeship, climbing holds based on natural rock formations or a hybrid jet engine. Wiktor Kozłowski, a third-year student of Aviation and Space Engineering, plans to construct a drone for mountain rescue. He consulted his idea with the rescuers from the Jurassic Group of GORP to suit their real needs.
- It will be a system based on artificial intelligence, which will be a support during search operations in the mountains, a flying rescuer who will be able to detect a lost person or a person under an avalanche using cameras and various sensors, - the student explained. – I came up with the idea at the beginning of my studies, I have already designed the construction and sheathing, thanks to the scholarship I will be able to realize my dream – he added.
– Some of these projects are business ideas, some more scientific ones, also those for the development of society. We want to support the entrepreneurship of students and encourage them to take the next steps leading to business and financial success – added Professor Orlińska.
The authors of the selected projects received the grant agreements during a solemn meeting in the Senate Hall with the University authorities. His Magnificence, Prof. Marek Pawełczyk and Prof. Anna Chrobok, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education, congratulated the best students on their success, at the same time encouraging everyone to take part in the next editions of the “Universities of the Future” project.
