St. Barbara’s Day celebrations at the Silesian University of Technology
For the fourth time, the All-Poland “Barbórka” Meeting of Miners was held at the Silesian University of Technology. It is a celebration of mining tradition and academic community. The event is organized by the Faculty of Mining, Safety Engineering, and Industrial Automation of the Silesian University of Technology in cooperation with the Coal Mining Museum in Zabrze and the National Secretariat of Mining and Power Industry NSZZ “Solidarność.”
The “Barbórka” celebrations began at the end of November with the Mineral Exchange, in the following days: re-matriculation of graduates who started their studies at the Faculty 50 years ago, then the Scientific Conference “ Sustainable Development Mining2 025 – Partnership of Science, Industry, Self-Government and Administration for the future of Mining and Transformation of the Region”, which gathers representatives of scientific and industrial communities. The celebration was summed up by the “Barbórka” Academy, which this year was celebrated by the Faculty on the 12th of December.
The “Barbórka” Academy at the Faculty of Mining, Safety Engineering, and Industrial Automation of the Silesian University of Technology.
The ceremony was attended by the authorities of the University and the Faculty and the Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Climate and Environment Prof. Krzysztof Galos, Rector of AGH Prof. Jerzy Lis, President of the Higher Mining Authority, Dr Eng. Piotr Litwa, Vice-President of Gliwice – Jarosław Zięba, parliamentarians, local government officials and invited guests. As every year, medals and mining degrees were awarded, there was also a traditional leap over the leather symbolizing the admission of first-year students to the mining brotherhood.
The ceremony began with a Holy Mass in the parish of St. Michael the Archangel in Gliwice, then the participants went to the monument of St. Barbara in the courtyard of the Department of Mining, Safety Engineering, and Industrial Automation, where they laid flowers. In the hall of the faculty, a concert of the KWK Sośnica Orchestra was planned and, in the afternoon, the “Barbórka” Academy took place.
The Academy was attended by the University and Faculty authorities and invited guests. The participants were welcomed by the Dean Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Krzysztof Filipowicz, Prof. SUT.
- We meet in a unique year – the 75th anniversary of the Faculty and the 80th anniversary of the Silesian University of Technology. This is the moment when tradition meets modernity and history meets the future. This is a year in which we look back with pride and at the same time we open up with courage the next chapters of our common story. The Fourth National “Barbórka” Meeting, which is organized by the Faculty, has become a recognizable nationwide event. Initiated as a celebration of the mining community, today it brings together representatives of industry, science, administration, and institutions responsible for security and economic development throughout Poland. It is a proof of the important role played by Silesia, our University and Faculty in the industrial and scientific landscape of the country - said the Dean of the Faculty of Mining, Safety Engineering and Industrial Automation Dr Hab. Eng. Krzysztof Filipowicz, Prof. SUT.
The Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Marek Pawełczyk, in his occasional speech, emphasized the role of the University in the economic and social development, not only of Silesia, but also of the whole country.
- In 1945 we started our activity here in Silesia in order to serve society and economy. This is how we view our mission and activity. Everything we do we try to do as best as we can, which is why the effects of our work are visible not only in the country, but also abroad. Part of this is the Faculty of Mining, Safety Engineering, and Industrial Automation, which has also changed its name over the years. The Faculty has always been associated with everything which is the most modern. In the past, heavy industry was the engine of economic development, it was also an employer for a huge number of people living in Silesia and their families – emphasized the Rector.
- The transformation of industry over the last decades has obviously brought some changes. But the Silesian University of Technology responded to these challenges, participated in them, and adapted its functioning and education to new circumstances – added the Rector.
Prof. Marek Pawełczyk also stressed that experts in the field of mining will always be needed. - Mining is not just hard coal, there are a number of other raw materials extracted underground, - he added.
Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Climate and Environment, Prof. Krzysztof Galos stressed that mining is constantly changing and transforming.
- This is nothing new, it was also the case in previous decades and centuries, - the minister said. - At the moment in Poland we have three mining faculties, and this is a value that we must cultivate. The transformation of mining, especially in Upper Silesia, is a great challenge for everyone – for local governments, for the state, but also for scientific and academic institutions – emphasized Prof. Krzysztof Galos.
- Mining is the basis of civilization. This needs to be repeated, because not everyone understands that what we create together, all progress is based on raw materials. These raw materials are mainly extracted from our land using mining methods – said the Rector of AGH University of Science and Technology, Prof. Jerzy Lis.
After the speeches, Vice-Dean for Student Affairs and Education Dr Hab. Eng. Małgorzata Wyganowska conducted the ceremony of handing over the rotating miner’s sword.
- I have the honour and pleasure to provide information about an important distinction for the best student group, which this year is the group from the seventh semester – “Automation and Industrial Computer Science.” Traditionally, in recognition, the group receives a rotating miner’s sword. I now ask the President of WUG Piotr Litwa and the Dean of the Faculty to present it – said the Vice-Dean.
The ceremony of distinctions, medals, and mining degrees for the Faculty’s employees was conducted by the Vice-Dean for Infrastructure and Organization Dr Hab. Eng. Anna Manowska, Prof. SUT. The highlight of the “Barbórka” celebrations was a leap over the leather ceremony symbolizing the admission of first-year students to the mining brotherhood. It was accompanied by the performance of the Academic Choir of Silesian University of Technology. “Barbórka” at the Silesian University of Technology ended with a “Miners’ Inn,” which took place in PreZero Arena Gliwice.
Re-matriculation of graduates after 50 years from the start of studies
Two days before the ceremonial “Barbórka” Academy at the Faculty of Mining, Safety Engineering and Industrial Automation, a re- matriculation of graduates took place, 50 years after the beginning of studies.
To commemorate this moment, the symbolic index was once again celebrated by graduates who started their studies in the academic year 1975. Nearly 50 former students attended the ceremony.
The guests at the ceremony were welcomed by: Vice-Rector for Science and international Cooperation Prof. Sebastian Werle., and the Dean of the Faculty of Mining, Safety Engineering and Industrial Automation Dr Hab. Eng. Krzysztof Filipowicz, Prof. SUT. The former students took the oath, received the commemorative index and listened to the inaugural lecture entitled “Reclamation and revitalization of post-industrial areas – on the example of post-mining areas”, which was delivered by Dr Eng. Zenon Różański. The ceremony was graced by the performance of the Academic Dance Ensemble of the Silesian University of Technology "Dąbrowiacy". The event was accompanied by commemorative photographs, a visit to the Faculty and numerous conversations and memories with colleagues from the year, creating a unique, emotional atmosphere of the jubilee meeting.
Writing the text on the re- matriculation I used the materials provided by the Faculty of Mining, Safety Engineering, and Industrial Automation.
