Research, science and business - talks on development and cooperation

In the morning, a meeting was held at the University of Szczecin between the Minister of Science and the rectors of West Pomeranian universities. The discussion was focused on the challenges facing higher education institutions in the light of research and science development. The meeting was also attended by MUS Rector Wojciech Ślączka. Afterwards, the rectors made their way to the headquarters of the Northern Chamber of Commerce (NCC). Among those who joined in were representatives of local authorities with West Pomeranian Governor Adam Rudawski, the Marshal's Office, the City Mayor, the business community and the academic community from West Pomeranian universities. They discussed the ways strengthening of the opportunities for cooperation between both higher education and business, joint projects, the obstacles that still exist in this cooperation and, of course, ways to overcome them. Issues addressed include:

• dual education (the course program and its implementation performed by the university staff and the business partner);
• making more simple and transparent of the application for research funding at the National Center for Research and Development;
• short-term training forms;
• formal barriers that prevent students from pursuing an education at two universities at the same time, in a single course of study;
• the co-responsibility of entrepreneurs to provide students with practical competencies;
• the lack of legal regulations regarding the wages of student internships in companies,  including allowances for employers who hire students;
• the role of soft skills in the training of future engineers.

The academic community encouraged entrepreneurs to express clearly and directly their needs for specific competencies of new employees, especially in the new technology industry. This will enable faster modification of the study programs and will ensure that graduates have skills and knowledge that are truly needed and valued in the job market. The call was also made which was supported by both communities to hold similar meetings periodically, at least once a year.

Awards for students

A nice highlight for the Maritime University of Szczecin was the award ceremony for students in the National Competition of Student Clubs "The Future is Green" organized by NCC. First place went to MUS student Klaudia Jóźwicka of the Sea and River League Students Club, who presented a paper entitled "Environmental Protection in Shipping". Another of our winners, this time third place, was Jakub Ślęczka from the Students Club of Electroautomatics for his work entitled "Green Future for the West Pomerania Region". Other awards went to a total of 6 students from the West Pomeranian University of Technology for their papers - "Evaluation of selected Renewable Energy Sources Support Mechanisms in Poland" (second place award) and "Electromobility - Hope or Curse?" (honourable mention).
Congratulations to all the winners! 

The competition was held thanks to generous Partners:

• Garo Poland
• Mercedes Benz - Mojsiuk
• CSL
• Hanse Yachts.

In the afternoon, Minister Dariusz Wieczorek also held an open meeting with students at the University of Szczecin.