The TOPAZ Centre is starting its operations
On the 1st of January, the Centre for Defence and Dual-use Technologies - TOPAZ - was launched at the Silesian University of Technology. It is a consequence of the identification of the University’s potential in this area, which was carried out at the end of last year. Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Arkadiusz Mężyk, who has considerable experience in the arms industry has become the Director of the Centre.
On Monday, January 26th, 2026, another meeting was held on the newly established Centre for Defence and Dual-use Technologies - TOPAZ. Those interested in conducting defence research had the opportunity to learn how and in which specific areas they will be able to engage in the activities of the Centre and how they can benefit from cooperation with the Unit.
- The centre started working intensively. It has only been two weeks of our operation, but we are already in the process of preparing many initiatives. I will also add that a meeting was planned among the commanders of various uniformed services, army, police, fire brigade, city guard, at which we want to discuss a whole range of issues in which we would like to join, and we can do it as the Silesian University of Technology, which are related to dual-use technologies – said the Rector.
Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Gzik, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education was also present at Monday’s meeting.
- In the coming years, strategic investments will be implemented in the armaments area, which is why combining the potential of various research teams in one Centre may bring many benefits, not only for the development of the state in this area, but also for our province, - said Prof. Gzik. He gave as an example the modernization and restructuring of the Bumar Łabędy SA plant.
- Today is the time to take stock of our ideas and think about where we are capable of creating new technologies and have something unique to offer in response to the needs of our country, Europe, and the world, - he added.
The Director of the Centre Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Arkadiusz Mężyk emphasized that TOPAZ will focus on 12 research areas: Unmanned vehicles, detection and reconnaissance, cybersecurity, management and logistics, numerical simulations, modern materials, protective structures, space technologies, special vehicles, high-energy materials, medicine battlefield, and energy security.
During the meeting, employees of the Silesian University of Technology submitted preliminary declarations of conducting research in specific areas. People who still want to report such declarations can do so by contacting the Centre at the headquarters, which is located in Gliwice at 18a Konarskiego Street, Room 182.
The website of the Centre for Defence and Dual-use Technologies – TOPAZ has also been created.
Let us remind you that the establishment of the TOPAZ Centre was announced in December by the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk, during a meeting with employees, PhD students and students interested in conducting research in the field of defence and security, preceded by a detailed survey.
- The establishment of the Centre results from the need dictated by the current geopolitical situation and the growing threat, huge investments of the state in the defence sector, a strong arms industry in our environment, as well as the vast experience and interests of members of our community in this area. We would like the Centre to be, on the one hand, the initiator of activities and to apply for funds from various sources, to seek the presence of the Silesian University of Technology in many initiatives, but also to be a relay of information on research and projects, which are implemented at the University and concern the topic of defence technologies and dual-use – explained the Rector. Of course, the Centre’s activity is not aimed at monopolizing this subject and any team that has its own ideas and contacts will also be able to apply for projects independently. We also assume that the Centre will be very active in the international environment, will provide information and establish cooperation with companies around the world. I have already started to make the first contacts in this area myself – he added.
The Rector also noted that the University has been in good contacts with the arms industry and representatives of uniformed services for years.
Meetings with generals, colonels, commanders of various services are on the agenda. We know that this is the right place and time to build such agreements, which will ensure the development of own technologies and personnel for the Polish arms industry, also here in Silesia – he added.
The Silesian Voivodeship has an armament potential, which is confirmed by the presence of many companies specializing in production for the defence industry. These include Zakłady Mechaniczne “Bumar-Łabedy” SA, OBRUM Sp. Z o.o. or companies manufacturing drones. Most of them are already cooperating with the Silesian University of Technology. Scientific relations and economic cooperation with partners from industry are to concern not only institutions of domestic enterprises, but also foreign enterprises in the long term. The Rector has recently participated, among others, in meetings with representatives of leading companies from the defence sector in Europe. The meeting took place in Brussels, and among the representatives there were heads of French, Italian and British companies such as Safran, Leonardo, Rolls-Royce.
- Perhaps some consortia will also be established in Poland, and we - as the Silesian University of Technology - want to be in them. Therefore, we cannot wait until the proposal appears but let us be ready to come forward with such initiatives – the Rector Pawełczyk appealed to the scientists.
The newly established TOPAZ unit was established to conduct research, development, implementation, dissemination of knowledge, expert and training activities related to broadly understood issues of defence technologies and dual use.
fot. Jan Szady
