USil and Silesian Voivodeship for transformation of region

During a press conference on 4 April 2024 at the Marshal’s Office of the Silesian Voivodeship, a list of innovative projects the University of Silesia in Katowice has obtained from the Just Transition Fund was announced

The funded initiatives include:

Silesian Interdisciplinary Centre for Chemistry – PLN 189.9M

The Silesian Interdisciplinary Centre for Chemistry will be built at the USil Campus in Katowice. This modern project will include spaces for educational and seminar purposes as well as a complex of laboratories. It is to contribute to the development of higher education oriented towards the needs of green economy, the energy transition occurring in the region, and reducing the effects of industrial activity. The infrastructure will allow for the launch of a new degree programme in Modern Technologies for Sustainable Development – Engineer’s degree studies planned to be implemented with three education paths:

Renewable Energy;
Green Technology: Green Chemistry
Green Energy – synthesis methodology and modifications of materials for energy application.

The University for the climate. Photovoltaic systems for the reduction of greenhouse gas emission to the atmosphere – PLN 1.8M

The project involves the purchase and installation of PV panels on the buildings in Katowice, Chorzów, Sosnowiec, Cieszyn, and Mierzęcice. An additional pro-ecological task is planned to be completed, concerning the construction of a rainwater harvesting pergola combining the elements of green and blue infrastructure and carrying out an educational campaign sharing the knowledge of green energy.

‘Just Transition – University of Silesia’s Potential as the Basis of Just Transition of the Region’ – PLN 16.8M

The actions will cover:

supporting people studying at the USil Doctoral Schools
equipping scientific workrooms and laboratories (e.g. at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Faculty of Arts and Educational Science) and equipping all educational laboratories at all USil faculties with IT equipment;
supporting the academic and teaching staff in terms of teaching methods, shaping soft and digital skills and skills for transition through courses, training sessions, workshops, and study visits;
supporting students through the organisation of student internships and traineeships on degree programmes related to green and digital economies;
supporting the University’s collaboration with entrepreneurs in terms of innovations, technology transfer and promoting the idea of entrepreneurship.

‘Quantum Information Science and Chemistry for Green Future – the University of Silesia in Katowice Supports Students and Secondary School Students – PLN 2.8M

The actions addressed to secondary school students carried out at the Faculty of Science and Technology (in Katowice, Sosnowiec and Chorzów) will include:

practical classes (workshops) in green chemistry, AI and quantum information science;
preparation courses for Matura exam in chemistry; supporting participants, finalists and winners of subject competitions and science ‘Olympiads’ in chemistry;
equipping laboratories;
carrying out internships for students in degree programmes related to green and digital economies (e.g. chemistry, computer science) at company seats cooperating with the University of Silesia.

‘Transformers in Schools – Education for Green Transition and Maintaining Mining Culture in the Region’ – PLN 3.4M

The project prepares secondary school students to take up studies in degree programmes related to green transition. Actions will be carried out at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and the Faculty of Humanities (in Katowice and Sosnowiec) and will include

practical on-site courses;
field classes;
professional counselling and ‘role model’ sessions with experts;
tutoring for subject competitions and science ‘Olympiads’;
educational workshops;
creating a database in ecological and climate change education and green transition.

Furthermore, two additional projects are in the process of obtaining funding from the Just Transition Fund:

Centre for Biotechnology and Biodiversity – PLN 134.8M

The construction of the Centre for Biotechnology and Biodiversity will be a modern infrastructure for education and improving competencies in, e.g. exact science, natural sciences, engineering and technology, medical and health sciences, and especially biological sciences, environmental engineering, mining and energy technology, and earth and related environmental sciences. The facility will provide training for qualified staff ready to take on challenges and implement solutions in the priority areas of the region transformation, including: biotechnology, biodiversity and the functioning, shaping and protection of the environment.

The building is expected to include several zones, including a teaching module, a laboratory module, breeding rooms, and rooms of the Network Science Centre.

spinART Art and Culture Education Centre – PLN 21.8M

The investment is focused on the reconstruction and renovation of rooms, as well as providing equipment and adapting the infrastructure to the needs of inclusive education on the campus in Cieszyn. spinART will support education in adapting to the current needs of the labour market in the area of creative industries and challenges in the digital and green transformation of the region’s economy

The total funding from the Just Transition Fund for the projects amounts to PLN 371.3M.

The press conference featured: Prof. Ryszard Koziołek, the Rector of the University of Silesia; Jakub Chełstowski, the Marshall of the Silesian Voivodeship; and Marcin Krupa, PhD, the Mayor of Katowice.