Silesian University of Technology celebrates 80 years!
It was a great jubilee of the Silesian University of Technology! On May 22nd, 2025, in the auditorium of the Education and Congress Centre, a solemn academy was held, during which 80 years of the history of our distinguished University were summarized. There was no shortage of memories and thanks.
On May 24th, 1945, the Presidium of the National Council issued a decree establishing the Silesian University of Technology in Katowice with a temporary seat in Krakow. This is how the history of one of the most important technical universities in Poland began. Today, after years of transformation, Silesian University of Technology is proud to continue to operate and educate students in the most modern industries.
- “80 years ago, our predecessors had the courage to dream of a great technical university in Silesia and their dream became a reality. Today, we dream of further successes of the Silesian University of Technology. About scientific discoveries on the Nobel Prize scale, about inventions that modernize and change technology, about graduates who will be leaders of tomorrow, about an increasingly beautiful campus teeming with life and youth” – said the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk. – “We dream and act because we know that the future depends on what we do here and now. I wish that in 20 years, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the university, we will be able to say that we did not miss the opportunities offered by the present times”.
The Rector pointed out that Silesian University of Technology was one of the creators of the region’s success. The University has been through a period of economic transformation and is now responsible for the smooth transition of the next transformations – energy, social, technological, and digital.
- “Today, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Silesian University of Technology, we look back with pride and gratitude, and to the future with hope and enthusiasm.
There are many reasons to be proud of the Silesian University of Technology. It is a unique place that creates opportunities and combines the spirit of innovation with respect for tradition, and local patriotism with openness to the world. It is also a technical genius intertwined with humanistic sensitivity. The proof that the Silesian University of Technology has been a value in itself for years and so are its graduates.
We are proud to be a forge of talent and character. For 80 years the Silesian University of Technology has educated staff for industry, administration, and education. Our pupils carry with them a part of the ethos of the Silesian University of Technology – love of knowledge, pragmatism of the engineer, social sensitivity, and Silesian reliability” – emphasized the Rector.
These outstanding graduates and the current staff, as well as students, together with outstanding guests, attended the solemn academy and shared their memories.
Among the outstanding graduates are Prof. Jerzy Buzek – former Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland and President of the European Parliament, as well as Prof. Marek Gzik Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education.
- “The Silesian University of Technology has built a strong position in the region, in the country and in the world over the years. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary, I wish the entire academic community further development. Let this development go hand in hand with the
increasingly strong position of the Silesian University of Technology on the international arena” – emphasized the Deputy Minister.
The best wishes to the Silesian University of Technology were also expressed by numerous officials – the deputy governor of Silesia Michał Kopański and local government officials. During the ceremony, the President of Gliwice Katarzyna Kuczyńska-Budka took the floor.
- “The Silesian University of Technology is a symbol. It is hard to imagine Gliwice without the University. I hope that it is also difficult to imagine the University of Technology without Gliwice. I am glad that our cooperation brings good fruits and together we are looking for opportunities for its further development” – she said.
Among the common areas of activity, Ms Kuczyńska-Budka mentioned, among others, the focus on scientists of the Silesian University of Technology in the field of cybersecurity, aviation education, urban planning and architecture, as well as the development of projects related to the Science and Technology Park “TECHNOPARK GLIWICE”.
The Rector of the Jagiellonian University Prof. Piotr Jedynak and Rector of the Lodz University of Technology and Chairman of the Conference of Rectors of Polish Technical Universities Prof Krzysztof Jóźwik congratulated the authorities of the Silesian University of Technology on excellent cooperation with the socio-economic environment.
- “Technical universities are one family. We are here to celebrate with you. Like any university, we are proud to work for the benefit of our small communities, the country, and the world.” - said Prof. Jóźwik. –“On behalf of the rectors of technical universities, we wish the Silesian University of Technology a huge number of challenges, the ability to leave the comfort zone, because then one can make breakthroughs and satisfaction for the entire university and all members of the academic community with what they do”.
It is worth noting that the celebration of the round jubilee of the Silesian University of Technology has been going on since the beginning of the year. In January, the Ball of the 80th anniversary of the Silesian University of Technology was held, while a few weeks ago the Silesian University of Technology granted the title of Doctor Honoris Causa to Prof. Victor Ambros, Nobel Prize winner. Apart from that, faculties that celebrate the 80th anniversary of the University, also celebrated their own jubilees. However, May is the culmination of the Jubilee Year. A few days ago, a Jubilee Spring Concert was also held.
- “Today, the most important point of the ceremony was the awarding of medals of the Silesian University of Technology. This is a very important distinction, second only to the title of Doctor Honoris Causa. We give them very rarely, because they require a special procedure, submission of an application, appropriate documentation, and opinion by the Senate Committee on Honour Dignity.” – explained the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology. – “Medals are presented to our partners, with whom we have been cooperating for years and thanks to whom we as Silesian University of Technology can develop.” - he added.
The medals have been awarded only eight times so far to: Prof Jerzy Buzek, Prof. Wilibald Winkler, Professor Józef Wojnarowski, Dr Win Aung, City of Gliwice, City of Katowice, City of Zabrze, and City of Rybnik. Today, the medals were received by the Marshal Office of the Silesian Voivodeship, the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis, the Upper Silesian Aviation Group SA, and the Katowice Special Economic Zone SA.
The first institution to be honoured during the ceremony was the Marshal’s Office of the Silesian Voivodeship. The medal was awarded in recognition of the consistent and long-term support for the development of science, education, and innovation, as well as strategic cooperation with the Silesian University of Technology for the transformation of the region and the construction of a knowledge-based economy.
The Rector of the Silesian University of Technology emphasized that the university with the authorities of the region implements numerous strategic projects, from energy transformation to social innovations.
- “Our greatest treasure is the people we need to invest in. Silesian University of Technology plays an important role in their development and education, including the development of young people.” – emphasized Wojciech Saługa, the Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship.
- “Today, it is worth not only reaching for memories but thinking about the future. Thinking about the future, I am convinced that with the Silesian University of Technology we can cooperate and build together the future of Poland, voivodships, and our small homelands” – he continued.
Another Medal went to the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis in recognition of its innovative approach to integrating and supporting the academic environment, strategic partnership with the Silesian University of Technology and commitment to activities for the development of a modern and attractive region.
- “This is a distinction for us. We are the youngest of the awarded institutions, so it fills us with pride, but it is also a commitment to develop this cooperation even more” - said the chairman of the GZM (Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis ) Kazimierz Karolczak, who pointed out that the Silesian University of Technology is a strategic partner for the Metropolis.
- “It is here where the ideas are created, which are of great importance for the development of our cities associated in the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis. We are talking about joint projects in the area of cybersecurity, architecture, or transport” – he added.
The third medal was awarded to the Katowice Special Economic Zone S.A. in recognition of its strategic partnership with the Silesian University of Technology, supporting the development of modern education, innovation and economic transformation in the country and involvement in joint initiatives combining economy, scientific research, and engineering education.
- “KSEZ (Katowice Special Economic Zone) is a brand appreciated all over the world. Hundreds of companies are located in it, including global corporations. Silesian University of Technology has been providing highly qualified staff for them for years, and in return we gain unique opportunities for students and interesting research and development topics. This symbiosis of science and business makes innovations move faster from laboratories to recipients, giving competitive advantages to our economy” – argued the Vice-Rector for Infrastructure and Investment of the Silesian University of Technology Prof. Zbigniew Paszenda. The medal was received by Jacek Brzezinka, vice president of the Katowice Special Economic Zone.
- “When we talk about what the Katowice Special Economic Zone has achieved, namely over 1100 completed investment projects, over 100 thousand new jobs and PLN 52 billion invested in our region by our investors, we think that all this would not have been possible without cooperation with the Silesian University of Technology,” he said. Emphasizing the value of joint activities, he recalled the launch of joint dual studies at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and other activities that support each other. Together with the Katowice Special Economic Zone,
the Business School of the Silesian University of Technology also implements the Talent HUB initiative, thanks to which students gain practical skills in companies operating in the KSEZ.
The fourth institution honoured during the Silesian University of Technology Jubilee ceremony was the Upper Silesian Aviation Group. The medal was awarded for a long-term partnership with the Silesian University of Technology, joint initiatives, and support for the development of modern aviation education and activities aimed at strengthening the region’s potential. GTL (Upper Silesian Aviation Group) also supports research projects of the University and co-creates initiatives with other entities of the aviation industry, such as PLL lot or PANSA. The result of this cooperation is strengthening the position of the Silesian University of Technology as one of the most important centres of aviation education in the country.
- “It is a great honour that we can share our knowledge with the Silesian University of Technology and support in the organization of education. An ideal example of our cooperation is the Civil Aviation Personnel Education Centre for Central and Eastern Europe” – said Artur Tomasik, President of GTL. – “I was the initiator of this project, it was my dream, which came true in a beautiful way, because today aviation sciences and fields of study related to the space industry are the Holy Grail, for which we should reach. The development of the aviation industry will determine the development of new technologies in Silesia” – he added.
In addition to the medals of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Grzegorz Adamiec, the Director of the Institute of Physics was presented a chain as a symbol of recognition during the jubilee academy.
The chain, or insignia of power, is an important distinction. It was awarded to the Director of the Institute of Physics - Centre for Science and Education. The Institute of Physics is, like its faculties, the basic unit of our University, providing education and high-quality scientific research, hosting many distinguished personalities from abroad, having significant scientific successes, having excellent infrastructure, and dynamically cooperating with the socio-economic environment. Until now, as the only basic unit, it could not boast of the symbolic insignias, such as the chain.
The Jubilee of the Silesian University of Technology was an excellent opportunity to receive distinctions and appreciate merits.
The ceremony was held under the patronage of the Minister of Science and Higher Education, the Minister of Industry, the Minister of Digital Affairs, the Minister of State Assets, the Governor of Silesia, the Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship, the President of Gliwice, the President of Katowice.
The partners of the 80th anniversary of the Silesian University of Technology are: The Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis, the City of Katowice, the City of Gliwice, the Katowice Special Economic Zone, the Upper Silesian Aviation Society SA, GSU SA, AmiSter sp. Z o.o. and the Investment Funds Society Skarbiec SA.
fot. Maciej Mutwil
