The title of Doctor Honoris Causa of the Silesian University of Technology has been conferred upon Professor Metin Akay
The Silesian University of Technology held a ceremony to award Professor Metin Akay, an outstanding researcher in modern biomedical engineering, with the title of Doctor Honoris Causa. The conferment of the title took place at the Education and Congress Centre at the Silesian University of Technology.
Professor Metin Akay is an outstanding researcher, a leading figure in contemporary biomedical engineering, a mentor of many young scientists, coming also from the Silesian University of Technology. He is the founder of the new Faculty of Biomedical Engineering and the Professor of biomedical engineering John S. Dunn at the University of Houston. He is also the President of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society.
The title of Doctor Honoris Causa of the Silesian University of Technology was conferred upon Professor Akay for setting trends in neural and biomedical engineering and promoting an interdisciplinary approach to scientific research.
The ceremony was attended by His Magnificence, Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Professor Arkadiusz Mężyk, the Vice Rector for Science and Development, Professor Marek Pawełczyk, and Professor Piotr Augustyniak from the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków. The laudation was delivered by Professor Ewaryst Tkacz. Professor Metin Akay is the 53rd Doctor Honoris Causa of the Silesian University of Technology.
- We are extremely proud and honoured that such an outstanding scientist, great lecturer and visionary will join our community as the 53rd Doctor Honoris Causa of the Silesian University of Technology. We would like to express our great admiration and respect for your ground-breaking and innovative achievements in the field of biomedical engineering, but also gratitude for your kindness and the opportunity for our staff and students to work with the best scientists from the University of Houston - said His Magnificence, Rector, Professor Arkadiusz Mężyk.
The Silesian University of Technology has been cooperating with Professor Akay for many years. Professor Akay visited our University for the first time in 2009 to give several lectures. - Our students and lecturers were very much impressed by Professor Akay's comprehensive knowledge, his innovative approach to learning and teaching and his engaging personality. His next visit only enhanced this impression - emphasised the Rector.
- Undoubtedly, biomedical engineering is one of the key scientific areas of the future. Western societies are ageing. Therefore, we, the scientists, will face new challenges, such as improving the comfort of human life and facilitating the daily functioning of elderly people. Therefore, we would like to honour with the highest academic dignity a scientist who, with great passion and commitment, for many years has been devoting himself to such activities, being a mentor and inspiration for successive generations of young scientists and a figure playing a leading role in modern biomedical engineering - said the Rector, Professor Arkadiusz Mężyk.
The promotion ceremony was opened by the Vice Rector for Science and Development, Professor Marek Pawełczyk. - I have the honour and pleasure to inform the honourable guests that at the meeting of the Senate of the Silesian University of Technology, which took place on 22 February 2021, the Chairman of the Discipline Council for Biomedical Engineering, Professor Marek Gzik, submitted a request to initiate proceedings to confer the title of Doctor Honoris Causa of the Silesian University of Technology upon Professor Metin Akay. In a resolution adopted at this meeting, the Senate of the Silesian University of Technology entrusted the duties of the supervisor to Professor Ewaryst Tkacz and requested the Senates of the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków and the Wrocław University of Science and Technology to prepare appropriate opinions. The Senates of these Universities supported the initiative of awarding this title to Professor Metin Akay. The Senate of the Silesian University of Technology, at the meeting of 24 May 2021, adopted a resolution conferring the title of Doctor Honoris Causa upon Professor Metin Akay - said the Vice Rector for Science and Development, Professor Marek Pawełczyk.
The laudation was delivered by Professor Ewaryst Tkacz from the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering at the Silesian University of Technology. - Professor Metin Akay is one of the pillars of biomedical engineering. The list of his scientific achievements is very long and impressive - said Professor Ewaryst Tkacz.
- Today's laureate is a brilliant researcher, educator and leader with extraordinary talents, a transformative and inquisitive mind and exemplary values. I can confidently say that his exceptional credentials place Professor Akay among the most important representatives of the biomedical engineering discipline in the world. He has also an amazing track record in promoting women and young professionals and students in the field of biomedical engineering. Professor Metin Akay is very much appreciated by the Silesian University of Technology. Our University admires, respects and honours his remarkable academic achievements, mentorship and leadership in promoting the field of biomedical engineering and education. He is undoubtedly an exceptional role model for the leaders of the next generation - emphasised Professor Ewaryst Tkacz.
After the laudation, the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Professor Arkadiusz Mężyk, performed the solemn act of promotion by placing a doctoral sash and awarding a diploma.
After the ceremony of conferring the title of Doctor Honoris Causa, Prof. Metin Akay thanked for granting this great distinction and gave a lecture in which he presented the research that he deals with in his scientific work.
- I have the following message for students. Sometimes we engage ourselves in difficult projects that are challenging and require courage. However, it is good to take up these challenges. Without challenges, we will not achieve anything. It is also vital to work with other people, if we are not in a team, if we do not work together we will not achieve much. All I have achieved in my career is mainly thanks to the fact that I was surrounded by people who did not accept defeat, were determined and learned from each other. Let us also remember that science is important for society and for economy. Thank you very much for everything, I am deeply honoured - said Professor Metin Akay.
Professor Piotr Augustyniak from AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków - the reviewer of the application of the Silesian University of Technology for conferring the title of Doctor Honoris Causa upon Professor Metin Akay - also delivered a speech at the ceremony. - On behalf of the Rector and the Senate of AGH University of Science and Technology and the entire academic community engaged in biomedical engineering, both scientists and students, I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to Professor Akay for his influence on the students of biomedical engineering at the Silesian University of Technology and the development of the Silesian University of Technology, which has been recognized today by conferring the title of Doctor Honoris Causa upon Professor Akay, also for the development of biomedical engineering in Poland. Professor Metin Akay has also influenced me and many others. Hence, rejoice, Mother Poland - Gaude Mater Polonia - said Profesor Piotr Augustyniak.
Other speakers at the ceremony included Professor Ryszard Jachowicz from the Warsaw University of Technology, Professor Adam Liebert, Corresponding Member of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Director of the Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering in Warsaw, and Professor Ratko Magjarević, President of International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering.
Furthermore, the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology was presented with congratulatory letters and wishes.
The conferment of the title of Doctor Honoris Causa to Professor Metin Akay can be viewed on the YouTube channel of the Silesian University of Technology https://youtu.be/M0NIylCVyJY
