Strict directions in Poland are less and less popular. “We want to reverse this trend”

Science is not a fashionable choice among young people, but they are behind the greatest achievements of humanity – a chemist, Vice -Rector for Finance at the University of Silesia, said, prof. dr hab. Michał Daszykowski. The university wants to attract students with a practical approach to teaching.

As emphasized by prof. Daszykowski, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics are the foundation of modern civilization.

“Without exact sciences there would be no internet, smartphones or cars. We would not talk – we would sit in a cave,” the Vice -Rector of the University of Silesia told PAP.

To attract young people, the university focuses on practical teaching, modern laboratories and an interdisciplinary approach to education.

“We focus on laboratory work, hand -made experiments, small groups and direct contact. To understand something, you have to do it yourself, not only read” – explained the Vice -Rector.

In the context of modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence, prof. Daszykowski drew attention to the growing meaning of AI in curricula, but also pointed to the need to develop practical laboratory skills that no algorithm will replace.

“AI will not replace us in the laboratory. We can order something to her, but he will not perform experiences for us or think about their results,” he adds.

Although chemistry or physics are not one of the most popular faculties among candidates for studies today, the university is trying to change their image as “difficult” and “unprofitable”. It shows their use in environmental protection, energy, medicine and modern technologies.

“These are not dead areas. On the contrary, they give great opportunities” – noted the Vice -Rector. An interesting fact is that women are women in exact fields.

“We have groups where there are one or two boys, and the rest are girls. The proportions change only at a doctorate or habilitation level,” noted prof. Daszykowski.

The Vice -Rector pointed out that later, during the development of a scientific career, women often meet with additional difficulties related to family responsibilities. Despite this, many of them are great at reconciling scientific work with private life.

The university hopes that investments in infrastructure will help attract young people to exact sciences. One of the key will be the Silesian Interdisciplinary Center of Chemistry-a modern research and teaching space, whose construction has already begun. It is to become a place of cooperation between chemists, physicists, biologists, IT specialists and mathematicians, as well as open the university to projects with industry and foreign partners. Completion of the investment is planned for 2027. (PAP)

JMS/ BAR/