Development and modernisation projects for university infrastructure are currently underway across the University of Silesia campuses. These key investments are significant not only for research and education, but also for the daily life of the entire academic community—including staff, students, and PhD students, as well as those visiting the University.
Building our new chemistry and biology
One of our most significant undertakings is the Silesian Interdisciplinary Centre for Chemistry of the University of Silesia. Work is currently underway on the project, which will result in the creation of a modern space for scientific research and teaching.. The Centre is intended to address the needs of contemporary science and a rapidly changing world, providing an environment conducive to research, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Such modern infrastructure also plays a key role in building resilience—against environmental, economic, technological, and social challenges—while fostering a safe and welcoming environment for work and study. Further details regarding the ongoing construction and the overall concept of the facility can be found on the Centre’s website.
The new Centre for Chemistry will be more than just a set of laboratories; it will also encompass spaces dedicated to activities such as sports and the popularisation of knowledge across various scientific fields. This reflects a vital aspect of the modern university—a place that not only conducts research and provides education but also remains open to the local community, cultivates external relationships, and strengthens its social impact. The sports and outreach facilities will encourage interaction, physical activity, and the exchange of knowledge, extending well beyond the traditional confines of academic studies or formal research.
It is worth noting that the infrastructure of the Centre for Chemistry is not the only part of the campus currently undergoing intensive development. A selection process for a contractor for the Centre for Biotechnology and Biodiversity is also underway. This represents another landmark initiative that will enhance the University’s capacity for scientific research, teaching, and organisational activities. The procedure to select a construction contractor is currently in progress, with 15 bids submitted. Another significant milestone, achieved during the summer, was securing PLN 60 million from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, which will further support the implementation of this project.
Multi-storey car park
Recently, a contract was signed for the construction of a multi-storey car park at al. Roździeńskiego, which is the first stage of the implementation of the Green Science Zone concept. The contractor has already started work on the construction site, and the investment is scheduled to be completed in 2027. The facility will have 129 parking spaces, including spaces adapted to the needs of people with disabilities and stations for charging electric cars. Relocating some of the parking spaces away from the central part of the campus will allow this space to be gradually reclaimed for the academic community, and the area surrounding the car park will be enhanced with greenery, trees and shrubs.
spinART in Cieszyn
The implementation of spinART Art and Culture Education Centre of the University of Silesia in Cieszyn is also progressing according to the schedule. The investment strengthens the potential of the University’s artistic, cultural and educational activities. Completion of the works is planned for the second half of 2027.
Improving our existing infrastructure
A significant portion of the University of Silesia’s investment activities involves modernisation and renovation work on facilities already in use. At the Faculty of Law and Administration, renovations are underway for the roof skylights and the insulation of the floor slab at the building’s entrance. At the Krzysztof Kieślowski Film School, the second phase of roof renovations is currently in progress. In the Faculty of Natural Sciences building located at ul. Będzińska 60 in Sosnowiec (known as ‘Żyleta’), the site has been handed over to the contractor for the implementation of fire safety upgrades. Meanwhile, at the Faculty of Humanities (ul. Uniwersytecka 4), the gable facades of the building’s ‘A’ section are undergoing renovation. These investments allow for the systematic improvement of the technical condition, safety, and functionality of the infrastructure used daily by the University community.
Organising spaces and improving safety
Efforts to design the areas between the individual buildings of the Katowice campus are becoming increasingly visible. More greenery, elements of street furniture, and other features aimed at improving the quality of our shared environment are being introduced. We want the campus to be more than just a place for work or study—we envision it as a space where one can pause, meet with others, relax, or simply enjoy spending time outdoors. In this sense, infrastructure upgrades also transform how we use the university grounds and how we experience them.
New development projects also necessitate bringing existing buildings into compliance with current fire safety standards. Ongoing work includes, among other things, the replacement and installation of fire doors and fire partitions, as well as the integration of new safety system components. Consequently, in some buildings, including the University of Silesia’s Rectorate, these activities may cause temporary inconvenience and require adjustments to the layout of the space.
The primary goal of the ongoing work is to enhance safety for everyone—those who work, study, or spend time within the University facilities. The changes we see on campus today are part of a broader process of developing the University of Silesia into a modern, safe, and open environment—a space conducive to high-quality research, work, study, collaboration, and interaction. It is a space that we are creating together, designed to serve our entire community.