The Silesian University of Technology is the leader of the NCBR strategic project
The Silesian University of Technology co-creates a consortium implementing one of the projects selected in the 12th strategic competition of the GOSPOSTRATEG program of the National Centre for Research and Development. Universities, research institutes, and entrepreneurs join forces with public administration to jointly face Poland’s development challenges, such as the need to provide staff for the nuclear sector, modernize rural areas, transition to a circular economy, and prevent food waste.
The ceremony of signing contracts for co-financing of the first projects took place in Warsaw – the document was signed by Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk, the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology and Prof. Hab Eng. Jerzy Małachowski, Director of NCBR. The agreement concerns the 4NEW project “Plan and pilot of activities supporting the development of competences and personnel for the nuclear sector in Poland”, which received funding in the amount of approx. PLN 6.9 million
- Today we need people with vision, especially for the success of programs of strategic importance for the country. The starting projects have a common denominator: strong, interdisciplinary consortia have been formed, which combine the potential of the world of science, business, social organizations, and public administration responsible for shaping development policy. The collection of such diverse, yet mutually complementary competences and experiences creates a solid foundation for solutions that respond to the economic and social challenges facing Poland today – emphasized Dr Marcin Kulasek, the Minister of Science and Higher Education during the ceremony.
The 4NEW project focuses on the preparation of a coherent, knowledge-based model for the development of personnel and competences for the Polish nuclear energy sector, including secondary education, higher education, and lifelong learning. It is implemented by a consortium created by the Silesian University of Technology, the National Centre for Nuclear Research, and the University of Economics in Katowice, with the participation of the Ministry of Energy as an implementing entity.
– Entities responsible for implementing project results must demonstrate not only the will, but also the real possibilities of their application in practice. It is this requirement that determines the strength of the GOSPOSTRATEG program – noted Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Gzik, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education, present at the official opening.
– The 4NEW project is a response to one of the most demanding challenges facing the Polish energy sector – providing properly prepared personnel for the nuclear sector. Our goal is to develop a model that will be coherent and possible to implement on a national scale, integrating educational, research and industrial activities – said Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk, Rector of the Silesian University of Technology.
- Our project responds to the strategic challenge of preparing and securing national human resources and competences for the construction and operation of nuclear energy. The project also responds to social challenges related to changes in the structure of employment in the energy sector – said Dr Hab. Eng. Łukasz Bartela, Prof. SUT from the Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering.
The first part of the project will focus on checking what technical, economic and legal competences the market needs and what opportunities companies and institutions important for the Polish nuclear energy have. Foreign good practices will also be analysed in terms of their possible use in Poland. The second part will consist in the preparation of specific tools, solutions, and recommendations, which will then be discussed and evaluated by stakeholders. The project implemented by the Silesian University of Technology is among seven new GOSPOSTRATEG projects, which open the way to solutions of great importance for the future of Poland.
- I am responsible for the new strategy of the National Centre for Research and Development, and I know how much work it took to precisely name what needs to be changed so that the institution can operate more effectively and boldly shape the future. In the GOSPOSTRATEG program, we indicate key development gaps in the whole country. We call them “traps,” because these are the areas in which Poland needs a wise and decisive breakthrough” – noted Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Jerzy Małachowski, Director of NCBR. - We look forward to innovators who are looking for ways to overcome these barriers. We support them by using the transfer of knowledge and stimulating the creation of solutions that strengthen the competitiveness and innovation of the Polish economy, and at the same time build social responsibility. That is why we focus on projects that boldly face specific development challenges and enable the implementation of innovations improving the quality of life and Poland’s position in the long term – added Prof. Małachowski.
The partner of the 4NEW project is, among others, the National Centre for Nuclear Research, which provides expert and research facilities for the project. The institution stresses the importance of coordination at the national level.
– The implementation of the 4NEW project is part of the strategic activities for the development of competences in the field of nuclear energy. The National Centre for Nuclear Research has a unique research and expert background, which is an important support for the construction of the national system of education of human resources – said Prof. Dr Hab. Wacław Gudowski, project manager on behalf of the National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ).
The participation of the Silesian University of Technology in the GOSPOSTRATEG program confirms the university’s strong position in the implementation of projects of strategic importance and its active role in the construction of human resources for the transformation and energy security of Poland.
Photo.: NCBR, NCBJ
