The new academic year at the Silesian University of Technology has officially begun
The 82nd inauguration of the new academic year took place at the Education and Congress Centre of the Silesian University of Technology. The ceremony brought together representatives of the world of science, government and local government administration, business, education, culture, and friendly universities. The inauguration was highlighted by a lecture entitled "What will we be doing in space in 5, 10, 30 years and what your role in it will be?", delivered by Artur B. Chmielewski, a space mission manager associated with NASA/Caltech/JPL.
Among the invited guests were, among others, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Prof. Marek Gzik and Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Climate and Environment, Chief National Geologist, Prof. Krzysztof Galos. The ceremony was not only a symbolic beginning of another academic year, but also an opportunity to reflect on the role of the modern university in the face of the dynamic changes and challenges facing the world.
The Rector of the Silesian University of Technology Marek Pawełczyk welcomed those gathered in the SUT Education and Congress Centre. In his inaugural speech he spoke about the future of the University, the challenges facing modern science and the directions of its further development.
- The inauguration is one of those special moments in the life of a university, when the past, present and future come together in one place - said Prof. Marek Pawełczyk. As he emphasized, this year's event is, above all, a glimpse into the future, which is not a distant prospect, but something being created today.
- The future is being created now in our laboratories, lecture halls, and research teams. In conversations between teachers and students, in boldly posed scientific questions, in new technologies and enterprises that grow from research, in international partnerships, but also in the decisions made every day by our entire academic community - noted the Rector.
One of the most important topics of the speech was the changing role of technology. The Rector pointed out that the world is changing faster and faster, and technologies not only support development but also influence its direction.
- Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work, learn and conduct research. Automation and robotization are redefining industry. Energy transformation requires new technologies, new competences, new economic models - said Prof. Pawełczyk.
He devoted particular attention to artificial intelligence and its impact on higher education. As he noted, AI is already changing the way research and education are conducted. The Silesian University of Technology has introduced a comprehensive policy regarding the use of this tool, encouraging its widespread but prudent use.
At the same time, the Rector pointed out that the development of technology should not mean abandoning what constitutes the foundation of the university. - Even the most advanced algorithm will not replace curiosity, critical thinking, responsibility, and the courage to ask questions - he emphasized.
In his opinion, the future of education should not be a competition between man and machine. - It should consist in preparing people to use technology wisely - said the Rector.
This year's inauguration also marks an important moment in the development of the Silesian University of Technology. The university summarized six years of implementation of the Excellence Initiative - Research University program. As noted by Prof. Pawełczyk, it was a period of intensive research development, internationalization, support for young scientists and cooperation between disciplines.
– The IDUB program was not just an additional source of financing for us. It became a catalyst for a fundamental acceleration of the development of the Silesian University of Technology - emphasized the Rector.
As he said, one of the most important effects of recent years is the change in the University's aspirations. The Silesian University of Technology wants to participate more boldly in international research teams, implement large European projects, create world-class technologies, and attract the best scientists and students.
The university is currently awaiting the results of the second competition under the Excellence Initiative – Research University programme. At the same time, it has prepared a new development strategy for the next six years, the implementation of which is to begin on January 1, 2027.
- I want it to be a real strategy for the entire Silesian University of Technology, not a set of indicators, but an answer to the question of what kind of Silesian University of Technology we want to leave to the next generation - said Prof. Pawełczyk.
Among the goals, he listed building an even stronger research university, international, open, and entrepreneurial, which will attract the best students, doctoral candidates and scientists, conduct groundbreaking research and translate its results into solutions serving the economy and society.
The future of Silesia also had an important place in Rector’s speech. The Rector recalled that the Silesian University of Technology has been associated with the region and its industrial heritage for over eight decades. Its graduates have contributed to the development of Polish industry, infrastructure, energy, transport, medicine, IT, and the economy.
Today the region is facing another breakthrough. – The transformation of Upper Silesia and the Zagłębie region cannot only mean closing the chapter on the industrial past. It must mean opening a new chapter of development, the Rector emphasized.
In his opinion, Silesia has the potential to become one of the important European regions of new technologies. This is to be facilitated by strong universities and research institutes, industry, qualified staff and proximity to science, business, and infrastructure.
The Silesian University of Technology wants to actively participate in these changes. - We want to be one of its most important creators. We want the Silesian University of Technology to be an even stronger meeting place for science, industry, local government, and society - said Prof. Pawełczyk.
The Rector also addressed the students. He emphasized that young people today are entering a world in which many future professions and technologies are still being developed.
- We don't want to teach you only what is already known. We want to teach you how to deal with what is not yet known. That's a huge difference, he said.
He encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the university – get involved in research clubs and projects, take advantage of trips abroad, develop their own interests and not be afraid to take on new challenges.
- Perhaps the most important competence of a future graduate will not be knowledge of a specific computer program, technology, or method, but the ability to continuously learn - noted the Rector.
The topic of space technologies was also an important accent of the inauguration. The Rector, addressing Artur B. Chmielewski, the author of the inaugural lecture, spoke about his experience gained in implementing ambitious space projects and co-creating technologies enabling space exploration.
- As a technical university, we look at space not as a distant symbol of human dreams, but as a space of specific engineering challenges - noted Prof. Pawełczyk.
The Silesian University of Technology develops competences related to the space sector, and technologies co-created by its scientists, in cooperation with enterprises, are used in space projects.
The Secretary of State in the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Prof. Marek Gzik also took the floor during the inauguration ceremony. For the minister, the inauguration had a special, personal dimension - on October 15, he will celebrate the 30th anniversary of his work at the Silesian University of Technology. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of the University for the region and the country.
- For over eight decades, the Silesian University of Technology has been a very strong support for the development of the Silesian Voivodeship and our entire country. This was the case in the past and it is the case today – said Prof. Marek Gzik. He drew attention to the University's potential in areas of strategic importance to the country, such as security and defence, economic and energy transformation, health, and digitalization.
The importance of raw material security was also discussed by the Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Climate and Environment, Chief National Geologist, Prof. Krzysztof Galos. He emphasized that raw materials constitute the basis of civilizational and economic development, and their importance changes along with the changes taking place in the world.
– Raw materials are the basis of the development of civilization; they are the basis of economic development. Without raw materials, we cannot talk about energy, economic or military security, noted Prof. Galos. He also pointed to the role of the Silesian University of Technology in responding to changes taking place in the value chains of raw materials - from their sources and technologies of acquisition to their use.
An important element of the ceremony was also the issue of cooperation between the Silesian University of Technology and the region. The Mayor of Gliwice, Katarzyna Kuczyńska-Budka, emphasized that the partnership between the city and the University is growing year by year and includes further joint projects. – I cannot imagine Gliwice without the Silesian University of Technology – the Mayor noted, pointing out the importance of the knowledge and experience of scientists for the development of the city.
After the speeches of the guests, the matriculation of the representatives of the first-year students was carried out by the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education, Anna Chrobok.
– Today’s inauguration ceremony of the academic year is of particular importance for first-year students who start their studies at our University. Dear students, through the act of matriculation you have been symbolically accepted into the circle of the academic community. Let your studies at the Silesian University of Technology be a time of intensive acquisition of competences and an inspiration for innovative thinking and responsible shaping of the future, so that the skills you acquire will allow you to create solutions that change the world for the better - said Prof. Chrobok.
During the ceremony, the Omnium Studiosorum Optimo Medals were also awarded to the best graduates. This year, this special distinction was awarded to three graduates of the Silesian University of Technology: M.Sc. Eng. Marta Tarko from the Faculty of Civil Engineering, M.Sc. Eng. Sebastian Górecki from the Faculty of Chemistry and M.Sc. Eng. Maria Filipek, from the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering.
After the awards ceremony, Michał Szymanowski, the chairman of the Student Self-Government of the Silesian University of Technology, also spoke, addressing the students who were just beginning their academic journey.
- Take advantage of the opportunities the University offers you. Get involved, be active - he said, pointing to the numerous areas of student activity, from science, through sports and culture, to artistic activities. He also assured new students that they could count on the support of their older colleagues. - No matter what happens, you can always count on us - he emphasized, congratulating them on choosing the Silesian University of Technology and starting their studies.
An important part of the ceremony was also honouring people whose activities and commitment contributed to the development of the Silesian University of Technology. This part of the inauguration was conducted by the Vice Rector for Collaboration with Civic and Economic Environment Dr Hab. Eng. Marcin Staniek, Prof. SUT. First, the Awards of the Social Council of the Silesian University of Technology were presented. Then the Medal of the Silesian University of Technology and the Medals of the Association of Alumni of the Silesian University of Technology "Outstanding Graduate of the Silesian University of Technology" were awarded.
The Social Council Award is given in the “Student and Employee” category. This year the distinctions were awarded to:
“Student” category:
SpaceCoffee Strategic Student Science Club – an interdisciplinary team of students and pupils of the Academic Secondary Comprehensive School of the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice, which successfully combines a passion for science, modern engineering thought, and ambitious projects.
“Employee” category:
Dr Hab. Eng. Alicja Kazek-Kęsik, Silesian University of Technology – for outstanding scientific achievements, innovation, and special commitment to the development of young scientific staff.
The Silesian University of Technology Medal was awarded to Dr Eng. Jarosław Mlonka, long-time Chairman of the Social Council of the Silesian University of Technology.
Then the Medals of the Association of Alumni of the Silesian University of Technology "Outstanding Graduate of the Silesian University of Technology" were awarded. This year, the award was given to:
Brunon Gabryś, engineer and entrepreneur, founder of AIUT and its long-time president. Thanks to his knowledge, vision and entrepreneurship, the local company has developed into an international technology and engineering group implementing advanced projects in the field of automation, robotics, and information systems.
Tomasz Gębka – for his contribution to the development and improvement of production processes and the implementation of new products. Since 2021, he has been associated with Stellantis, where he is currently responsible for production, artificial intelligence, data, and innovation.
The inauguration ceremony of the new academic year featured a lecture by Artur B. Chmielwski, a space mission manager associated with NASA, Caltech, and JPL, entitled "What will we be doing in space in 5, 10, 30 years and what your role in it will be?”
The inauguration ceremony ended with a short concert of the Silesian University of Technology Academic Music Ensemble.
