Faculty of Organization and Management

The Faculty of Organization and Management at the Silesian University of Technology celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. At the invitation of Dean Prof. Aleksandra Kuzior, students, doctoral candidates, staff, alumni, and numerous guests gathered on 17 November at the House of Music and Dance in Zabrze. A special moment of the celebration was the presentation of the Management Leader awards, established to mark the jubilee. The event concluded with a performance by the popular band Feel and joint celebrations in front of the stage.

“It is extremely important that a modern technical university hosts a faculty focused on the humanities and social sciences. The Faculty of Organization and Management is home to 2,500 students who create a strong academic campus in Zabrze,” said Prof. Marek Pawełczyk, Rector of the Silesian University of Technology.

Awards for Distinguished Figures

During the jubilee, the Management Leader award was presented to authorities in academic, social, and economic life. The title was granted in five categories.

In the Science category, the award went to the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Marek Pawełczyk, an outstanding specialist in industrial automation, digital signal processing, and vibroacoustics. Since 2024, His Magnificence the Rector has also served as Chair of the International Cooperation Committee of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland, a member of the Presidium of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland, and Vice-Chair of the Conference of Rectors of Polish Technical Universities.
Prof. Pawełczyk is a corresponding member of the Polish Academy of Sciences and Chair of the Consortium of Silesian Public Universities. He participates in the work of several ministerial committees and is recognised internationally in the scientific community. He is the only person to have twice served as President of the International Institute of Acoustics and Vibration – an international scientific society with a 30-year tradition.
As the initiator and chief author of the application submitted to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, he significantly contributed to the Silesian University of Technology being included among the ten best research universities in Poland. Prof. Pawełczyk has also been appointed to the Science Policy Committee, an advisory body to the Minister of Science and Higher Education, which he chairs.

In the Public Administration category, three equal Management Leader awards were granted to:

• Kamil Żbikowski, Mayor of Zabrze,

• Dr Małgorzata Mańka-Szulik, Mayor of Zabrze from 2006 to 2024,

• Elżbieta Korecka, Director of the District Labour Office in Zabrze.

In the Research Institutes category, the award went to Jarosław Zagórowski, Director of the Central Mining Institute – National Research Institute.

The Economy category recognised Dr Marek Staszek, CEO of DB Cargo Polska S.A., and Jerzy Kulawik, Vice-President of DOM100.eu.

In the Economic Self-Governance category, the award was presented to Tadeusz Donocik, founder and honorary president of the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Katowice.

“The Management Leader title, established during the Faculty’s 30th anniversary year, highlights the competencies, effectiveness, and personal authority of the awardees. It recognises outstanding individuals who, by continuously improving the processes of planning, organising, and defining development directions within their organisations, successfully achieve their goals. A leader inspires, motivates, and shows the way to success. Regardless of their professional, academic, or life domain, these are always people with charisma who command respect,” said Prof. Aleksandra Kuzior, Dean of the Faculty.

History and Future

A moment that will be long remembered was when nearly all former deans who had previously led the Zabrze-based faculty appeared on stage, invited by representatives of the Alumni Association. The former deans received commemorative graphics, while the current Dean was presented with flowers and wishes of continued success.

The first dean of the Faculty (1995–2002) was Prof. Józef Bendkowski, followed by Prof. Andrzej Karbownik (2002–2008), Prof. Marian Turek (2008–2016), Prof. Krzysztof Wodarski (2016–2019), and Prof. Jan Kaźmierczak (2020–2024). Since 2024, the role has been held by Prof. Aleksandra Kuzior.

After the official programme, guests enjoyed a concert by Feel. The celebration continued during the jubilee gala, held at the “Arena Zabrze” stadium. The anniversary festivities were accompanied by a scientific conference titled “Theory and Practice of Managing Organisations – Strategies for the Future.” On 18 November, researchers from the Faculty shared insights into their ongoing studies. The Committee on Organisation and Management Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences held an off-site meeting and met with the Faculty’s staff to answer questions from the academic community.

The 30th anniversary of the Faculty of Organization and Management was held under the honorary patronage of the Minister of Science and Higher Education, the Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship, the Mayor of Zabrze, and the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology. The Katowice Special Economic Zone and the Committee on Organisation and Management Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences also granted their honorary patronage.

You can view the photo coverage of this event in our photo gallery available HERE.