Unscientific pursuits of TUL scientists: professor Ireneusz Zbiciński

Professor Ireneusz Zbiciński - TUL alumnus, specialist in chemical and process engineering. A man of many passions. Loves literature, music, sport, and travel. Volunteers at the Children's University of Lodz. He headed the Department of  Heat and Mass Transfer; currently, he is Head of the Department of Environmental Engineering of the Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering (WIPOŚ). He served as the vice rector for student affairs (2005–2008) and for science (2008–2012). He was dean of WIPOŚ in the 2012–2016 term. For the following term, he was once again elected vice rector for science (2016–2020). Since 2000, he has been Director of the Baltic University Program Polish National Centre, with its office located at TUL.  

Professor, you are always ready to support new ideas of staff and students. You are curious about and receptive to the world and people. Where does this need for continued self-development come from?

I believe that humans need to grow and develop throughout their life, professionally but also personally.  I have once wondered if I have something like a life motto that I live by... My approach to life is best expressed in Leopold Staff verse passage, which I have modified slightly: Roam the desert after a single gemstone, sink into the depths after a pearl of marvelous beauty; for all that remains of us is but a footprint on the sand and a ripple on the water. Those who are undaunted by life challenges come across pearls of beauty and live a rich and vibrant life. That applies both to professional matters as well as to the development of our individuality and curiosity about the world. You do not ever want to falter in your efforts to experience beauty and ... to keep things in perspective bearing in mind that all that will be left of us are traces on the sand and ripples on the water...

Listening to you and following your activity one is under the impression that you are always on the move, always in quest of something.

I have been like that since I was a child, my curiosity about the world has always guided me. As a young man I read all the classics of European literature, and that a number of times. I was passionate about reading books. I remember that when I was preparing for my university entrance exams, I would study lectures and textbooks and then after two hours I would switch to great literature to unwind. Now I am somewhat leery of contemporary literature. I do not read that much anymore because I find that most of what is good has been written a long time ago... And the really good things need to stand the test of time ... but I do know the works by our Nobel Prize winners.

Sport has always been very important to me. I have had lots of fun with football, running, and cross-country skiing but have also suffered some injuries. I have been going cross-country skiing for a long time, probably for over thirty years. Most often in Lodz, in Łagiewniki, although I go to Jakuszyce at least once a year. At university, for several years, I used to play professional bridge in the Polish league. It is a very demanding game, trains your memory, teaches you how to communicate with your partner, and requires you to think on your feet.

You are a man of many passions. You are known at the university for your enthusiasm for culture and the arts. Do you share this enthusiasm with your colleagues and students?

I try to as much as I can. Although times have changed. People tend to socialize less now than they used to. Whenever an opportunity arises, I encourage people to participate in cultural events organized by Lodz University of Technology, to be receptive, to read, explore, and develop their own standard of beauty. Often people need to be introduced to things before they want to get involved.

I have very fond recollections of my time as vice-rector for student affairs. It was a very difficult term. Initially it was not easy to work with the students, but then everything worked out very well and we could not live without each other, and I only supported their crazy ideas. Both parties benefited from that collaboration. It was the most amazing time in my career as a university administrator.

You are a regular guest of the Thursday Forum of Culture of Lodz University of Technology, which has been running at the university for over 10 years, not least thanks to your efforts. You also support the Children's University of Lodz and are the director of the National Center of the Baltic University Program.

As a matter of fact, the Thursday Forum of Culture was my idea. I thought it would be a good way to get to know interesting individuals from Poland and indeed I was not mistaken. I have met outstanding personalities. I have not been to all the meetings, but I am very proud to have met almost one hundred luminaries of the Polish world of art, culture, and science; artists, some of whom are now gone: Maria Czubaszek, Jan Machulski. I was fortunate to meet Mr. Zbigniew Wodecki and listen to him perform on the trumpet. Absolute mastery. To my mind the Thursday Forum of Culture is worth your time: you go there to listen to the stories the guest have to tell. And the stories of their life are so varied from rather ordinary to quite dramatic. The pandemic has called a halt to the meetings but you can still listen to archival material prepared especially for this occasion, which you can find on Spotify.

I have pleasant memories of the opening of the Children's University of Lodz (ŁUD) at Lodz University of Technology in 2008. We were the first university in Poland. Ms. Ania Janicka had an excellent idea for this undertaking, right from the start. The logistics of ŁUD was quite complicated because the safety of the children is our responsibility. Whenever I can, I attend ŁUD lectures, I volunteer, and take questions from children. They have no inhibitions and have inquiring minds.

I was also fortunate to inaugurate the Baltic University Program (BUP) at Lodz University of Technology upon my return from a scholarship in England. It was 1991. I remember the beginnings when Swedes supplied equipment, books, educational materials, new teaching methodologies, and organized satellite broadcasting. Crowds of students and staff alike would come to the meetings. BUP organized more than 25 deep-sea sailing vessel voyages. As soon as we announced a Chopin or Pogoria voyage, we had 20 people per spot eager to sail across the Baltic Sea. It went on like this for years. Now, however, when we have more funds for BUP activities, I see less and less enthusiasm from students for this type of events. For me it has been a fantastic adventure and one that has brought me great satisfaction in the past 30 years. My involvement with the Baltic University has allowed me to meet wonderful people, to visit all the Baltic countries, and thanks to the relationships I have established I have had the opportunity to participate in five European research projects.

You are a globetrotter. You have been to many beautiful places around the world. What have you learnt from your journeys?

Traveling has taught me that you cannot just conjure everything up or see it on the Internet, you have to actually see it, go and experience it. For quite some time now I have been traveling privately, in the company of friends, in quest of intriguing places, with each trip bringing me immense enjoyment and contributing to my personal development. In life, in wildlife, in nature, and in science I seek beauty and harmony.

You are said to be a sophisticated man and one who can appreciate beauty. What would you say one needs to do to enjoy unflagging lust for life?

You cannot live a fulfilled life unless you have a passion. You need to know who you want to be and you need to be bold. Working at the university has given me the opportunity to meet many wonderful people. I have had the pleasure of working with professor Jan Krysinski, who has always been a paragon of excellence to me. You can learn from others all your life. It is truly an art to be able to learn from the experience of other people. Working with people who are passionate and have a purpose in life is amazing. My life is an odyssey of discovery…