The voice of the Silesian University of Technology at the New Industry Forum
The challenges in industry in the era of uncertain geopolitical situation were discussed during the New Industry Forum in Katowice on 14-15 October 2025. The event was attended by representatives of Silesian University of Technology.
The New Industry Forum was an opportunity to exchange opinions on the challenges faced by industry and the economy in an era of unstable geopolitical situation. The discussions concerned various aspects of the economy and industry, and the voice of the Silesian University of Technology pointed primarily to how science can strengthen the market.
On behalf of the Silesian University of Technology Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Anna Chrobok, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education, spoke on those issues.
- Silesian University of Technology as a research university has a huge impact on the development of modern and innovative technologies, which it also supplies to the market. That is why our voice in this discussion is important. In addition, such an event and debate give opportunity to inspire each other, because representatives of industry often have a different, valuable point of view on education for us – said the Vice-Rector.
- I think it’s important for the industry to hear how we educate, how we change, what successes we have in educating students, because entrepreneurs don’t always have a chance to learn about it.
Dr Hab. Eng. Anna Timofiejczuk, Prof. SUT, from the Department of Fundamentals of Machinery Design from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, who participated in the discussion on changes in industry management, stressed that cooperation between universities and companies is of great importance in the education of human resources for industry.
- We are currently doing a lot in terms of adapting to market demand. For example, we have introduced dual studies, which allow students to acquire practical skills in companies, not only in lecture halls. In addition, laboratories and workshops are often run by industry representatives.
In response to the market demand, new fields of study are also created. Recently, studies related to the biggest economic challenges of modern times – nuclear energy, sustainable development or space technologies have been launched at various levels of education.
The plan is to launch studies in the field of cybersecurity. This will be the second-degree studies, for which recruitment is to start already in winter.
- At the Silesian University of Technology, our courses related to computer science are such a course for educating cybersecurity experts. Today, we have a choice of several paths of action in terms of expert training for these needs. One should focus on expertise and legal provisions related to cybersecurity, organizational and systemic aspects, and the other on technical aspects – said Dr. Eng. Jarosław Homa, Plenipotentiary of the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology for Cybersecurity. He also pointed out that in technical aspect we, as Silesian University of Technology, are the leader in Silesia. We have a wide offer in the field of education in studies carried out at the Silesian University of Technology by several faculties, including the Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science as well as the Faculty of Applied Mathematics and the field of Industrial Computer Science carried out at the campus in
Katowice. We also teach in postgraduate studies. This offer will include second-cycle studies, which will focus on aspects of cybersecurity in enterprises.
- The new courses of studies will be targeted at industry demand, because as we know these industrial areas are the most vulnerable today. Cyberattacks are often targeted at companies, especially in strategic sectors. Municipal utilities, such as waterworks, a thermal energy company, should have cybersecurity experts, - Homa explained.
The new approach to training human resources for industry was also discussed by Dr Eng. Adam Mańka, Vice-Dean for Infrastructure and Organization of the Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology and Jarosław Brodny, Prof. SUT, Deputy director of the College of Studies at the Silesian University of Technology, during the New Industry Forum.
fot. Maciej Mutwil
