Minister of Education and Science awards are granted to scientists and academics for significant achievements in the field of research, teaching, implementation and organisational activities as well as for lifetime achievements. The list of winners was announced on Polish Science Day (19 February). Minister of Education and Science granted the total of 74 awards, including 57 individual and 17 team awards.
Winners from the University of Silesia
Among the winners are scientists associated with the University of Silesia in Katowice. Assoc. Prof. Agata Kluczek, Professor of the University of Silesia from the Faculty of Humanities was awarded for significant scientific achievements, whereas a team of researchers from the Faculty of Science and Technology, composed of: Prof. Eng. Jarosław Polański, Dr Piotr Bartczak, Dr Maciej Kapkowski and Dr Tomasz Siudyga was appreciated for achievements in implementation activity.
Individual distinction
The award for Assoc. Prof. Agata Kluczek, Professor of the University of Silesia was granted for her work related to the analysis and interpretation of numismatic sources consolidating the vision of identity of ancient Romans. On the one hand, they indicate foundations that remained unchanged for many centuries, whereas on the other, they display certain temporal and geographic preferences.
The basis for this identity was a foundation myth which contained the ideas defining the identity of Romans. Knowledge about the “origin” issues was conveyed by numismatic representations (especially iconography, and to a lesser extent the inscriptions placed on numismats).
The research results were presented in the form of papers and speeches delivered during many scientific meetings (conferences, seminars, lectures). Certain partial results were also presented in articles published in scored journals. The complete analyses were included in the book entitled „Primordia Romana. Mityczna przeszłość Rzymu i pamięć o niej w rzymskich numizmatach zaklęta” (The mythical past of Rome and the memory of it enchanted in Roman numismats), published by University of Silesia Press (Katowice, 2019).
Team award
The team of scientists that worked on the implementation of innovative nanotechnological components, in particular in the device for low temperature decomposition of ammonia and innovative method for regeneration of nanocatalysts deNOx, was honoured for significant achievements in implementation activity. The solution developed by: Prof. Eng. Jarosław Polański, Dr Piotr Bartczak, Dr Maciej Kapkowski and Dr Tomasz Siudyga, includes the design and synthesis of new nanometallic materials as catalysts for conducting processes in the key fields of chemistry and environmental engineering in unique low temperature conditions. It is worth emphasizing that license for the use of patent PL230827 (B1, publication of 31 December 2018) J. Polański, et al., „Sposób otrzymywania skojarzonego nanomateriału metalicznego oraz jego zastosowanie” (Method for obtaining combined metallic nanomaterial and its application) has been recently granted.
Rectorate of the University of Silesia. Photo by Julia Agnieszka Szymala