We are all here together
Dozens of people took part in the festive integration meeting of the Doctoral School of the Silesian University of Technology, which took place in the student club Spirala in the Student Culture Centre Mrowisko. It was a great opportunity to integrate and welcome new PhD students. The participants also learned about Polish traditions related to Christmas.
Workshops, creating and hanging Christmas decorations, quizzes and competitions related to Christmas, Christmas songs. A lot of attractions waited for the participants of the festive integration meeting, both from Poland and abroad. The extraordinary openness of doctoral students, organizers and invited guests allowed everyone to enjoy upcoming holidays, and above all to get to know each other better.
“Students from abroad need our support, especially at the beginning of their stay in our country. That is why we try to make them get to know each other, so that they also have the opportunity to meet with the University authorities or talk with their promoters. We also wanted to help them feel what Christmas is for Poles. I wish all our PhD students from abroad to find themselves here as best as possible - said the Director of the Doctoral School, Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Krzysztof Fujarewicz.
The meeting was attended by His Magnificence Rector of the Silesian University of Technology - Prof Dr Hab. Eng Marek Pawełczyk and Vice-Rector for Science and International Cooperation Prof. Dr Hab. Eng.. Sebastian Werle, with whom the participants willingly talked and exchanged ideas and observations.
It is very important that such meetings take place here. Our students enrich our scientific community. Above all, they spend a large part of their lives here. This includes periods such as the upcoming Christmas. When most of us return to our homes, many of them stay at the University. That is why we need to reach out to them, help them get to know our culture and traditions and make them feel part of our University - said the Rector. - I wish them to find joy here and to make new friends, because surely such a friend for them is the Silesian University of Technology.
“This is a great opportunity for PhD students from abroad to get to know their colleagues from Poland better and talk in a friendly atmosphere. Although, as I have noticed, scientific topics in the talks also appear - explained the Vice-Rector.
Due to their passion for science, we would like to inform you that recruitment for doctoral students for the project “Comprehensive support for the development of the Joint Doctoral School and the scientific activity of doctoral students related to the needs of the green and digital economy” has begun.
- The Doctoral School is a place of integration of many scientific communities and combines different disciplines, and the best ideas are always born at the interface of different disciplines - explains Dr Hab. Eng. Magdalena Palacz , Prof. SUT and the manager of the Grand project, which is co-financed by the Fund for just Transition. - Students from the Doctoral School can apply for funds to support research activities focused on all activities related to the needs of the green and digital economy. More information can be found on the website dedicated to this project and on the posters displayed at the Doctoral School.
This was the second integration meeting organized for doctoral students this year. And judging by the participation and the atmosphere - there will certainly be another one.
“The idea behind this meeting was to get together, celebrate Christmas and New Year together, share research ideas and establish cooperation, and have a nice time,” explains Hamza Mumtaz, PhD student and chairman of the board of PhD students from abroad.
The participants had the opportunity to taste different dishes, as well as decorate gingerbread. There was no shortage of dancing and even karaoke. Simple activities, such as hanging decorations on the Christmas tree, gave them a lot of joy.
- This is a great event that will help us get to know our colleagues, as well as professors and employees of the doctoral school. This is a good opportunity to get to know other countries and their culture – praises PhD student Lubna Salah.
- This is a key event. The group of doctoral students is so large that integration and exchange of experience is needed, also in the direction of research - says the Deputy Chairman, and since January the Chairman of the University Council of Doctoral Self-Government, MSc Eng. Szymon Ruczka “This is a great opportunity to integrate Poles with foreign colleagues. We are not divided into “us” and “them.” We are all here together.
