The University of Lodz Science Hub project
The University of Lodz Science Hub is a project whose objective is to connect students from our university, who are carrying out applied research projects (including diploma theses), with external entities such as local companies, institutions and NGOs with the support of scientific supervisors. The project is scheduled to run from 2022 to 2024 and is funded by the Ministry of Education and Science under the Scientific Excellence programme. Dr Małgorzata Dzimińska from the Faculty of Economics and Sociology is its manager.
The University of Lodz Science Hub competition
The goal of the competition held in the first part of 2023 was to identify projects based on a trilateral cooperation between the University of Lodz student, the University of Lodz academic and an external entity.
To submit a project, a team consisting of representatives of the three groups had to be formed. The Science Hub ambassadors of the University of Lodz assisted in team building and networking:
FACULTY OF BIOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION – Dr Karolina Rudnicka
FACULTY OF CHEMISTRY – Dr hab. Łukasz Półtorak, Associate Professor
FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND SOCIOLOGY – Dr hab. Aneta Krzewińska, Associate Professor
FACULTY OF PHILOLOGY – Dr Aleksandra Makowska
FACULTY OF PHILOSOPHY AND HISTORY – Dr hab. Inga B. Kuźma, Associate Professor
FACULTY OF MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE – Dr inż. Artur Hłobaż
FACULTY OF EDUCATIONAL SCIENCES – Dr Marcin Muszyński
FACULTYOF LAW AND ADMINISTRATION – Dr Izabela Florczak
FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT – Dr hab. Paweł Głodek, Associate Professor
The winning projects
As part of the University of Lodz Science Hub competition 38 projects have been selected and accepted for implementation. The projects differ as they represent a range of disciplines from almost every faculty at our university, but what they have in common is the possibility of their practical implementation.
The largest number (12 projects) was qualified from the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection. This is how Dr Karolina Rudnicka, ambassador of the Science Hub at the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection and a member of the project selection committee, comments on the results of the Science Hub competition in the context of projects from the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection:
The number of submissions from the faculty is a result of a joint effort made by supervisors and external partners. In the case of experimental projects, often with an implementation nature, entry into the competition required appropriate negotiations regarding intellectual property rights or the terms of confidentiality agreements. This is an additional challenge that the project supervisors met. The commitment and willingness of the faculty students to participate in the project also played a role. Being able to use the skills the students acquired during their studies and solve an actual industrial problem, and to network with entrepreneurs as potential future employers was their motivation. In total, as many as 12 proposals were submitted, involving 13 supervisors, 16 students and 11 external partners, among others. ATMAT sp. z o.o., Oleofarm, ONESANO S.A., Bochnia Salt Mine, ENERGOMAT, Hydroidea sp. z o.o., PROT sp. z o.o., UNIRUBBER sp. z o.o., KYA NATURAL COMPANY sp. z o.o. or ICHEM sp. z o.o. Research and Production Centre. In addition to the scholarship for the mentor, which was funded by the Science HUB, the staff negotiated a total of more than PLN 50,000 for the cost of the research, as well as scholarships and internships for the students. These costs will be covered by external partners through additional funding. The Science HUB has allowed for the formalisation of existing and the establishment of new collaborations that may develop further in the future and, in the prospect, contribute to Criterion III. I very much hope that, in addition to supporting the implementation of the proposals submitted, the Science HUB initiative will remain with us on a permanent basis
– says Dr Karolina Rudnicka.
You can read more about the shortlisted projects on the University of Lodz Science Hub project website:
- Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection – 12 projects
- Faculty of Chemistry – 2 projects
- Faculty of Economics and Sociology – 4 projects
- Faculty of Philology – 3 projects
- Faculty of Philosophy and History – 4 projects
- Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science – 4 projects
- Faculty of Geographical Sciences – 1 project
- Faculty of Educational Sciences – 4 projects
- Faculty of Law and Administration – 4 projects
- Faculty of Management – 1 project
Trilateral cooperation
The projects constitute a result of a collaborative effort of students, supervisors and business representatives. Credit work that would normally not find a practical application may be implemented in companies cooperating with the University of Lodz Science Hub. Dr Joanna Górniak from the Faculty of Economics and Sociology is one of the project supervisors.
The Science Hub project is an extremely valuable initiative for both business and science. Students solve a practical problem in cooperation with a business representative and with additional support from the University of Lodz lecturer. Thus, they are involved in solving an actual problem that a given company is experiencing. In the case of the project that I supervise – brainstorming and a study visit to a company are planned in the initial stages of its implementation. The students will then deal with the specific topics they are responsible for – by reviewing the literature, as well as information obtained from the company, but also by building research tools. Their work will result in a report. In addition, the students have the opportunity to use the implemented research and its results in their theses. Cooperation between science and business is an important aspect of development for both parties and the Science Hub project makes this possible. I believe that the results will be positive and that the initiative will continue in the future
– says Dr Joanna Górniak.
Współpraca z firmami
Projekty realizowane w ramach Science Hub UŁ prowadzone są we współpracy z szeregiem firm i instytucji reprezentujących przeróżne branże i dziedziny:
- UNIRUBBER Sp. z o.o
- Hydroidea sp. z o.o. sp.k.
- ENERGOMAT
- Kopalnia Soli Bochnia Sp. z o.o.
- Veterinary Clinic Jacek Szulc
- PROT Sp. z o.o.
- ONESANO S.A.
- ICHEM sp. z o.o
- KYA NATURAL COMPANY Sp. z o.o.
- ATMAT sp. z o.o.
- Delia Cosmetics Sp. z o.o.
- Miramar sp. z o.o.
- Dradura Polska sp. z o.o.
- Arvato Polska Sp. z o.o.
- Skarby Pokoleń Foundation
- Pinokio Theatre
- Philips Polska Sp. z o.o.
- Neuroróżnorodni Foundation
- Stowarzyszenie Instytut Literacki Kultura
- Walenty Zwierkowski Historical and Cultural Society of Lelów
- UN Peacekeeping Mission Veteran's Association
- Towarzystwo Przyjaciół Krapkowic
- Historical and Cultural Association
- Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Poland
- NOWA Krzysztof Nowak, Sławomir Dulęba s.c.
- City Library in Lodz
- Emilia Sczaniecka High School No. 4 in Lodz
- Lodz Tourist Organisation
- The OPUS Centre
- Centrum Administracyjne Pieczy Zastępczej w Łodzi
- Urban Cultural Zone in Lodz
- Stanisława Leszczyńska Single Mother's Home in Lodz
- Many Mornings Adrian Morawiak, Maciej Butkowski sp. K.
- C Cube Prosta Spółka Akcyjna
- HM Logistic Sp. z o.o.
- OLEOFARM
- Miejski Ogród Zoologiczny w Łodzi Sp. z o.o.
Source: The University of Lodz Science Hub
Edit: Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz
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