As part of the series ‘Let’s talk about Polish science’, on Monday, 17 March 2025, the University of Silesia in Katowice was visited by Prof. Eng. Marek Gzik, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education and Prof. Jerzy Małachowski, Director of the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR). Participants of the meeting at spinPLACE, attended by the rector, dean and chancellor authorities of the University of Silesia, as well as numerous representatives of the academic community of the University of Silesia, discussed the current situation as well as the prospects and directions of development of Polish science and higher education.
A key topic of the current year is the upcoming evaluation of the quality of scientific activity. During the meeting, other topics were also discussed, including financing higher education, doctoral schools, accreditation, student residence halls and the place of Polish universities in international rankings. Prof. M. Gzik admitted that despite a significant increase in expenditure over the last decade, the level of spending on science and higher education is still lower than in other countries.
“The scientific community should influence politicians by arguing how important the research they conduct is for the economy”, believes the minister. “It is very important that we speak about our importance to society using a common language”.
In the context of social impact, Prof. M. Gzik drew attention to the celebrations of the European City of Science Katowice 2024, which were organised by a consortium of seven Katowice universities. He pointed out that the success of this venture should serve as an incentive for others to attempt consolidation.
“I would like to congratulate you on the European City of Science title – both in regards to the well prepared consortium project and on the rich programme of events that promoted the whole of Silesia. This project has confirmed what a strong scientific centre Silesia is”, said the minister.
Prof. J. Małachowski briefly presented the activities of the National Centre for Research and Development under his management and the initiatives undertaken by this entity.
“We want to support the development of key industries for the Polish economy in an intelligent way”, declared the NCBR Director. “Our activities are to serve the transfer of results from science to the economy, so that it is possible to jointly create a world of innovation. Remember, however, that these innovations are not originally found in companies: they are in you – in your research centres and other units. It is your ideas that drive the development of the economy and technology”.
