The new academic year has started with new plans and new hopes. What are our expectations?
We take a long-term approach to our objectives, so this year we will continue to pursue everything that was outlined in our strategy. Crucial to the prestige of the university are research outputs and publications in high-impact factor journals. We also would like TUL's researchers to submit as many applications for grants as possible, especially in the calls in the Horizon Europe framework. We have been supporting our most brilliant researchers in their efforts to submit proposals for funding from the European Research Council. These calls are highly competitive, which is why drafting the proposal is a demanding affair. A number of applications will be submitted fairly soon. Also important are alliances with industry that lead to winning NCBiR grants, an important source of funding for applied research.
Being able to provide educational offerings and keeping them consistent with the developments outside the university is very important. How successful are we in accomplishing that?
I think we could conceivably take a leading position. However, for this to happen, we need to launch intensive efforts this year to put into practice all the advanced teaching and learning methods that our academic staff have been instructed in. There is also a need to redesign the curricula, especially for the second-cycle degree programs. We need to ensure that a high proportion of classes are tied to research, projects, and problem-solving. We want to make the learning paths flexible to the maximum extent possible.
I would also like to see us providing a greater range of lifelong learning offerings. I am not just referring to postgraduate continuing education certificate programs, but rather professional training to match the needs of different companies. We have been listening and we know there is demand, so we really need to come forward with the right offer. This should also contribute to building up Lodz University of Technology standing in the city of Łódź, in the region, as well as beyond. All the more so, as I can see here the potential for taking advantage of our university's membership of the ECIU network.
What other effects has the presence of Lodz University of Technology in the ECIU network had?
Thanks to our cooperation with the universities participating in this network, individual Faculties have been engaged in three Horizon research projects. As a university, we are the ECIU coordinator and a partner in two projects of high importance to the future of education in Europe. The goal of the first is to pave the way for the recognition of university networks by law and thereby to having the right to award degrees and/or credentials as recognized qualifications. The other project seeks to provide answers on how to implement the awarding of a European degree. The effect would be that Lodz University of Technology, as a member of the network, could award a degree that would also be recognized as a European degree. All of that means that as higher education institutions we must work from the bottom up to push for amendments to the law in Poland, such that would afford greater flexibility in the learning process and greater focus on the student. Naturally, we need to have some sort of proposal and this is where I see TUL in a leading role.
ECIU, with its offer of micro-modules, also serves as a platform for student exchange, which means short-term mobility opportunities.
During the recent meeting held in Aveiro, rules for collaboration in research were agreed. Exchange and more direct, face-to-face contact of researchers in ECIU universities are sure to spark new ideas and facilitate cooperative acquisition of research funding.
When it comes to our interactions with industry, how are we faring?
As a university of technology, it is our role to cooperate with industry. These days, many businesses expect universities to provide customized services and abide by confidentiality clauses. Our cooperation with industry is based primarily upon the agreements we sign, which is only a formality, of course, but which nevertheless entails, first and foremost, that we provide services and meet the needs of our partners.
It is important for us how industry and international partners view us, but other than research and education, the university also has a third mission: one related to outreach to the public. Thus, the research we do has to improve the quality of life and the environment, and to develop useful technologies. And that is what we do. We also amplify the effect of the university's pursuit of social responsibility through cultural and educational offerings for audiences ranging from little tikes to senior citizens.
One common problem in Polish universities is the talent drain of young academic staff. How is TUL addressing the issue?
At the moment, finding a solution that would be solely within our control is quite challenging. We offer our doctoral students opportunities for scholarly development, but we are not able to raise the amount of the scholarship out of the university budget. The salaries we can offer cannot match those paid in the industry and business. I fear that unless changes are introduced, Polish higher education may soon experience a generation gap. The future looks rather bleak, however. The reason why is that the announcements of minimum wage and salary increases do not go hand in hand with an increase in the general subsidy. Thus, it is difficult to talk about finding incentives that would help encourage people to pursue careers in research.
Are there some new ideas (and resources) for fresh investments?
This year, we primarily aim to complete the construction and modernization work that has been in progress.
We are completing the modernization of the A7 building, which has gone from being a heat emitter to being virtually net zero. This should reduce energy consumption by 10% compared to the previous year and bring about savings. The laboratories of WIPOŚ will be reinstated in the building, whereas a section of it has been designated for the new Center for Universal Design.
And that is not the only investment cutting the University's electricity bills, is it?
Energy-efficient and intelligent lighting systems have been installed throughout much of the campus. This year we expect to get almost 1 MW from photovoltaic installations, just to meet our own needs. Electricity fees are a significant chunk of the university's expenditures, so we should all act rationally and avoid consuming energy when it is not necessary.
What about other investments that are close to completion?
In the coming year, the modernization of the sailing facility in Roganty should be successfully completed. The building that was on the verge of collapsing there has undergone major reconstruction. The university sailboats will be wintered in it, and it will offer lodging.
The largest ongoing investment project in TUL, the Alchemium, started during the term of the previous Rector, prof. Sławomir Wiak. The structure of the building is already there and visible, and the facility should be ready by the end of the academic year. We plan to have Alchemium fully operational in the winter semester of the next academic year.
And what is to become of the old Chemistry Building?
It appears that it is actually less expensive to have it razed and then have a new structure built in its stead. I hope to be able to obtain funding for this. The old building is going to be replaced by a new facility to bring together TUL's now fairly dispersed administrative staff. We also intend it to be what I provisionally call a center for strategic activities in the area of teaching and learning. We do need it if we are to become a leader in developing modern methods and providing education that surpasses that of other universities.
Thank you for talking to Życie Uczelni.