Silesian University of Technology at the European SME Congress
The 14th edition of the European Congress of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (ESSME) is behind us. During the two-day event, researchers from the Silesian University of Technology met with entrepreneurs and took part in numerous debates.
The European Congress of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EKSME) is the largest event in Europe dedicated to companies from the SME sector. Since 2011, the Congress has been serving as a platform for gaining new knowledge, exchanging views, inspiration and building business relationships.
The theme of this year’s ESME was “Shape the future now.” How to do this? This question was answered during the debate: “Transfer of knowledge and technology as an instrument of socio-economic development”, which was attended by Dr Eng. Magdalena Letun-Lątka - Director of the Centre for Incubation and Technology Transfer of the Silesian University of Technology, Anna Tilszer - Director of the Technology Transfer Centre of the Medical University of Silesia and Jacek Nowak - Head of the Office for Cooperation with the Economy of the University of Silesia. The discussion with representatives of the Academic Consortium of the European City of Science – Katowice 2024 took place in the science zone of the Silesian University of Technology and concerned, among others, transfer of knowledge from universities to the economy, indirect commercialization and creation of new enterprises based on innovative solutions. The speakers have also raised the topic of EU funds, which are an effective tool in facilitating technology transfer.
The Congress was an excellent opportunity to expand contacts between business and Silesian University of Technology, as well as to discuss trends in the economy and business. The ideal cooperation in this area should consist in identifying mutual needs and undertaking joint, partnership initiatives that will contribute to the development of innovation and increase the competitiveness of the Polish economy.
We talk about the ideal cooperation, when entrepreneurs turn to universities with a problem, and we offer them solutions in the field of implementation of technology or education for the needs of the market, but also when we turn to companies to propose cooperation in the creation of joint scientific and research projects. To build such relations, the Centre for Incubation and Technology Transfer has been established, with the right tools thanks to which innovations can reach the market faster, and thus companies can benefit from access to knowledge
and the latest technological solutions – said the Vice-Rector for Collaboration with the Civic and Economic Environment at the Silesian University of Technology - Dr Hab. Eng. Marcin Staniek, Prof. SUT.
Today, knowledge is a source of economic competitiveness and the well-being of citizens. An innovative economy will not be built without knowledge, advanced research methods, innovative solutions and cooperation between researchers who create almost ready-made solutions and entrepreneurs who bring them to the market.
- Silesian University of Technology offers an extensive database of technological solutions and research services for the socio-economic environment, which can be a competitive advantage for companies. “Top 100 Innovations” is the initiative presenting solutions created at the University. It is a selection of one hundred intellectual property rights registered at the University developed by the researchers of the Silesian University of Technology, which can be successfully implemented in enterprises. Our University is characterized by interdisciplinarity, which is understood as taking research problems with the use of both theoretical and methodological tools from various disciplines. Thanks to this, the solutions that are created in the university show high business potential – said Dr Eng. Magdalena Letun-Łątka, director of the Centre for Incubation and Technology Transfer.
The most important element of the entire process of technology transfer to the economy is the Technology Broker, whose role is to integrate the scientific and business environment, search for potential recipients of technology, as well as identify solutions with market potential.
An innovation broker is a person who mediates contacts between scientists, universities, and entrepreneurs in the process of generating innovations. He is a kind of initiator of the technology transfer process. The broker’s experience and knowledge enable not only the selection and evaluation of the technology, but also finding its recipients and successfully carrying out the commercialization process, which will bring real benefits for each of the parties – said Dr Eng. Jagoda Krzysteczko-Witek, CITT Innovation Broker.
Silesian University of Technology can also offer support for entrepreneurs in the field of education.
- A big challenge for entrepreneurs is the implementation of innovative technologies into their business. Not everyone finds themselves in this quickly and efficiently, and here comes the Business School of the Silesian University of Technology, which educates modern leaders from the sector of small and medium-sized enterprises, among others, to expand their knowledge and competences – proposed Prof. Dr Hab Eng. Małgorzata Dobrowolska, director of the Business School of the Silesian University of Technology.
Continuous education can become the key to not being left behind, but also to staying ahead of the competition. Representatives of our University unanimously repeated that the cooperation of the Silesian University of Technology with industry should work efficiently due to the ongoing transformation in the region. Companies from Silesia should build competitiveness on the market not only domestic, but also international one.
- Europe has potential, our companies in cooperation with academic centres are able to compete on the international arena - said the director of the Continuing Education Centre, a branch of the Silesian University of Technology in Rybnik.
During the event, in the science zone of the Silesian University of Technology, awards were presented in the competition “Innovation Leader of the European City of Science 2024”.
The first place in the competition was taken by the solution of the team from the Silesian University of Technology entitled “Device for extinguishing and cooling batteries of electric cars.”
The second place went to the representatives of the Medical University of Silesia for the project entitled “A container for obtaining biofilm for analysing electron microscopy SEM.”
Third place was awarded to the solution of the University of Silesia entitled:” ON-BOARDING PRO course.”
The Academy of Physical Education in Katowice received a special award for the solution entitled “System of objective assessment and support for early child development: OSESEC acronym.”
The Silesian University of Technology received the award for the solution entitled “Vertical plant installation, especially for air purification and humidification.”
