The great Ball of the Silesian University of Technology is behind us
Half a thousand people met on Saturday, February 3rd , 2024, at Arena PreZero at the Silesian University of Technology Ball. Students, academic teachers, scientists and friends of the Silesian University of Technology took part in the fun. Among them were politicians, local government officials and representatives of business partners with whom the Silesian University of Technology cooperates on a daily basis.
- We are very happy to return to the tradition of the Silesian University of Technology Ball. The last such ball - the 75th anniversary ball - took place in 2020, and a dozen or so days later the pandemic broke out. After everything that has happened in recent years - the fight against the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the economic and energy crisis, it is time to return to tradition. This is an event during which the academic community, but also friends and the socio-economic environment have the opportunity to integrate, talk about future cooperation and simply build good relationships - said the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, prof. dr hab. Eng. Arkadiusz Mężyk, who welcomed the guests.
Artur Tomasik, chairman of the Silesian University of Technology University Council, also said that the balls of the Silesian University of Technology are conducive to friendly meetings, but also to expressions of thanks.
- This is an excellent initiative that should be continued in the coming years. This is an opportunity to sum up. The rector should be thanked for being able to guide the Silesian University of Technology through these meanders during a period of so many crises, and as his term of office is ending, he should also be thanked for a period of very good cooperation to the benefit of the university. New projects were implemented, new places were created, such as EHTIC in Zabrze, the Academic Aviation Training Centre and new departments in Katowice - said Artur Tomasik.
The development of the Silesian University of Technology was also appreciated by other distinguished guests, who were personally welcomed on the red carpet by the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology. Among them were representatives of state authorities - the Minister of State Assets - Borys Budka, as well as the Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education, associated with the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Marek Gzik.
- The Silesian University of Technology is, above all, people - excellent scientists and educators, and today is an opportunity to meet them, talk about the future and share their comments. As a teacher and assistant professor at the University of Silesia in Katowice, I know perfectly well the challenges our Silesian universities face, said Borys Budka. - The Silesian University of Technology is a symbol of technical thought in the region and can become an embassy that shows that we can be proud of Silesia - he added.
For the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, prof. Marek Gzik, the Silesian University of Technology Ball was an opportunity to take a break after intense months of work in the Sejm of the Republic of Poland.
- I am still a proud representative of the Silesian University of Technology and I am always happy when I can come back here and meet the academic community - despite the challenges that I have been taking up for several months, said Prof. Gzik. – These meetings and conversations give me the opportunity to listen to experiences and problems, which today I am trying to turn into concrete actions when it comes to the state's science policy – added Minister Gzik.
There was a lot of discussion behind the scenes on many levels about the challenges facing science and higher education. Students, scientists, academic teachers, but also graduates who actively participate in the life of the Silesian University of Technology had fun on the dance floor together.
- I am a graduate, but also a teacher on leave and I come back here with sentiment to meet all my friends. The ball is not only fun, above all, as a local government official, due to my other functions, I use this opportunity to talk behind the scenes about how to make Silesian universities, including the Silesian University of Technology, grow stronger and be even more recognizable on the world maps - said Marcin Krupa, mayor of Katowice.
There was no end to conversations, meetings and fun together. Several hundred guests had fun in the PreZero Arena. And all thanks to the support of the sponsor - Huta Łabędy SA
- We have been cooperating with the Silesian University of Technology for a long time. I am a graduate of the Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering, so I am even more pleased if I can support my Alma Mater. Last year we celebrated our 175th anniversary. Although the Silesian University of Technology is much younger, for as long as I remember, it has always cooperated with the steelworks in the field of staff training and modern solutions. Without this modern technical support, the steelworks would not exist today, so we must support each other - said Marek Bar, president of Huta Łabędy.
Another opportunity to celebrate together may be next year. The eightieth inauguration of the academic year at the Silesian University of Technology will take place in October.
