Silesian University of Technology signed a cooperation agreement with National Centre for Nuclear Research. On April 9th, 2026, the parties committed to intensify cooperation in the field of conducting joint research projects and training of personnel for the development of the nuclear sector in Poland.

The National Centre for Nuclear Research is the leading nuclear research unit in the country. It has an excellent infrastructure, which the Silesian University of Technology would also like to use.

- The NCBJ (National Centre for Nuclear Research) has the only nuclear reactor in Poland, but also a whole range of laboratories and accelerators that are extremely attractive to us due to conducting joint research and educating students - said the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk

The cooperation between NCBJ and Silesian University of Technology has been going on for years The signing of the agreement was only a seal of this relationship and a strengthening of cooperation.

- We have started the implementation of a joint GOSPOSTRATEG project, of which the Silesian University of Technology is a leader, and NCBJ acts as a very important partner in it. In addition, there appeared ideas for a whole range of new research topics. We look forward to fruitful further cooperation – added the Rector.

As part of the GOSPOSTRATEG program, Silesian University of Technology is implementing the project entitled: “4NEW”, which is dedicated to staff training and competence development specifically for the needs of the nuclear sector.

The Director of the National Centre for Nuclear Research, Prof. Jakub Kupecki is convinced that cooperation with the Silesian University of Technology will bring many benefits to both parties.

- This is the next stage of our cooperation. We work with all universities that are open to this, but which, above all, have the right base on which we can create solid foundations and construct solutions needed for these units and the entire economic environment. By signing the agreement today, we are already thinking about further areas of cooperation. We are pleased that this document operationalizes the plans that we defined during the recent visit of the Rector and Silesian University of Technology to our Institute in Świerk. We are moving on to concrete actions, - he said.

- We have plans for the implementation of further projects focused on new elements of energy, which also concern social aspects of emissions or the relationship of energy with other sectors of the economy. These projects address very specific but at the same time difficult issues and propose solutions. Let us remember that the recipient of many projects, such as GOSPOSTRATEG, is the central administration, the national economy, and the whole society – added Prof. Kupecki.

The extension of cooperation with the National Centre for Nuclear Research will benefit not only scientists of the Silesian University of Technology interested in conducting research in this field, but also students.

Silesian University of Technology has been educating students in the field of nuclear science for years and is one of the universities that plays a leading role in this process. Recruitment for the field of nuclear energy confirms the interest of young people in this field of the future.

- The nuclear sector already needs highly qualified specialists, and with the development of the national nuclear program, this demand will grow - believes Dr Eng. Lukasz Bartela, coordinator of the agreement between the Silesian University of Technology and NCBJ.

- Universities are obliged to respond to these needs and educate staff for such a strategic industry. In order to effectively interest young people in this development path, access is needed not only to knowledge, but also to the unique competences and research infrastructure available to the National Centre for Nuclear Research. Such cooperation is crucial for the quality of training of future personnel in the nuclear sector, - he explained.

The National Centre for Nuclear Research is one of the largest research institutes in Central Europe. It is responsible for the supervision of the only Polish research reactor and one of several such reactors in the world. It conducts basic and applied research in the fields of nuclear energy, subatomic physics, and related fields. The projects carried out at this Institute are interdisciplinary – they include physics, materials engineering, automation, electronics and space technologies, environmental engineering, mining, and energy, as well as pharmaceutical sciences. The unit cooperates with leading research centres around the world, implementing international projects and developing solutions relevant to science and economy.