The Silesian University of Technology in Rybnik has been operating for 60 years
The 60th anniversary of the branch of the Silesian University of Technology in Rybnik, currently operating as the Continuing Education Centre – a branch of the Silesian University of Technology, is behind us. On this occasion, on Thursday, March 16th , a solemn conference was held with the participation of the Rector's authorities.
The Silesian University of Technology in Rybnik was created out of need - underlined at the opening of the conference on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the branch, prof. Arkadiusz Mężyk, the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology.
- The centre was created from the need to train staff for the coal and machine industry. It supported the development of the Rybnik Union of the Coal Industry. I observed the development of the centre from the point of view of a resident of the region, but also of an academic lecturer. Despite the passage of years, it survived. At the moment, we are introducing new ideas for the functioning of CEC (Continuing Education Centre), we are changing the profile, adapting to local needs - added the Rector.
One of the ideas for the development of the activity of the Rybnik branch is education within the MBA studies, but also at a lower level, teaching at the Academic Secondary Comprehensive School. The plans for the future also include post-graduate education or a return to uniform studies in the field of logistics. The condition for launching such studies is, of course, the number of people interested in learning.
It's worth looking at the numbers here. Over the last 60 years, over 9,000 graduates have been educated in the branch in Rybnik.
- They are often ministers, presidents of cities, entrepreneurs, owners of large companies, directors of public sector units. This is a wealth that proves that the Silesian University of Technology has permanently entered the history of this land and will continue to do so - said dr hab. Zygmunt Łukaszczyk, prof. SUT, director of CEC in Rybnik.
In addition to the representatives and staff of the Silesian University of Technology, the jubilee was also attended by the graduates themselves. There were also local government officials, with the Mayor of Rybnik Piotr Kuczera among them.
- We have to think about the perspective of transformation and here the intellectual contribution of the University is very important. I think that another 60 creative years lie ahead of the branch of the Silesian University of Technology in Rybnik. I would like the University to see such a symbolic transformation from the Rybnik Coal District to the Rybnik Hydrogen District - said Piotr Kuczera, Mayor of Rybnik.
Wishes for further development of the Silesian University of Technology were also conveyed to the guests by prof. Jerzy Buzek, MEP.
- It is important that we are talking about the transformation in Rybnik, because mines still operate here and we have extremely polluted air here. Future energy and industry will be based on renewable energy and green hydrogen. That is why it is necessary to join forces today - local government officials, entrepreneurs, society, everyone must be open to it, and the Silesian University of Technology should be the link - said prof. Buzek.
The jubilee was accompanied by a conference entitled "Universities as city-forming units".
