Ministry of Science
and Higher Education

Talks on development plans for the academic community

Minister Dariusz Wieczorek visited  Rzeszów to meet with the rectors and students of all universities in Podkarpacie Region. “We would like to scale up dialogue with the academic community and try to find solutions to current problems. We are also meeting young people, because they are most important in the ministry's strategy. Due to the demographic decline, we must take special care of students,” he said.

The head of the ministry also emphasised that the potential of research staff should be strengthened and developed. “The government coalition made a conscious decision to provide raises for academic and university staff. We want to restore the high standing and role model potential of academic staff. Universities won't be able to cope without it,” he said.

The minister also encouraged the merger of universities and the establishment of larger academic centres. “We will create appropriate conditions for the development of such centres. Universities which decide to merge will receive subsidies higher by 10 percent,” he added.

The problems of the local academic community were also discussed during the visit. “The geopolitical situation is difficult. We are in a part of Poland and at a time where the arms industry is a priority. Universities in Podkarpacie Region should develop their own technologies and implement new solutions in the industry,” said the minister. “I also advocate cooperation with the economic sector, especially with the aviation and arms industries. Universities in this region have huge potential in this field,” he added.

Investments in the development of research

Talks at Rzeszów University of Technology also focused on how to obtain funds, including from the National Reconstruction Plan or from regional operational programmes. The minister pointed out that if 10% of this pool were allocated to science, research and development, it would amount to PLN 27 billion.

“At the moment, we have few projects worth PLN 800 million implemented by institutions in this area,” he explained. “We are trying to negotiate with the European Commission the possibility for universities to use funds from the National Reconstruction Plan. As a ministry, we are open to suggestions from the academic community in order to best use these funds within the new financial perspective. We want to make appropriate use of the Polish Presidency in the Council of the European Union to ensure best publicity for the academic sector on the international arena,” he added.

The head of the ministry emphasised that talks were ongoing with representatives of the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy to increase the chances of the academic sector using them.

Talks regarding an amendment of the Act on Higher Education

The minister also talked about the challenges related to the amendment of the Act on Higher Education. He said that the planned changes will include: a scholarship system for students, doctoral schools, doctoral students and postgraduate studies. “We know that the current law needs to be changed. We are looking into what is hindering the operation of universities and how this system may be improved. This year, we would like to draft amendments resulting from consultations and demands submitted by the academic community,” said the head of the Ministry. He added that the ministry would make every effort to ensure that the new regulations respond to the real needs of the academic community.

Open dialogue with the academic community in Poland

Minister Dariusz Wieczorek visited Rzeszów University of Technology as part of regular meetings with university authorities all over Poland. So far, he has visited the following cities: Szczecin, Łódź, Płock, Wrocław, Bielsko-Biała, Katowice, Poznań, Lublin, Kraków, Białystok, Zielona Góra, Gdańsk, Warsaw and Olsztyn.