Today, NEWAG S.A. and Politechnika Śląska [Silesian Technical University] signed a cooperation agreement in Gliwice.
The goal of the agreement is to strengthen cooperation between the sectors of business and science which should result in the emergence on the labour market of graduates who have not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills necessary in the railway sector.
Another, equally important aspect of the agreement is to adjust research conducted at Politechnika Śląska to needs of the economy and to implement research results at NEWAG S.A.
“We started cooperating with Politechnika Śląska some time ago. Ph.D. candidates from Politechnika Śląska are already collaborating with our engineers in multidisciplinary research teams focusing on implementation of high-tech solutions in our trains and NEWAG’s staff use the knowledge and ideas of the scientists. We have also been making joint efforts to create an optimal curriculum for the newly-created Railway Transport Science and Training Centre at Politechnika Śląska,” said Maciej Duczyński, Vice President of the Board at NEWAG S.A.
NEWAG S.A. intends to contribute actively to the curriculum development so that graduates leaving Politechnika Śląska have competences and knowledge reflecting realistic market needs.
“Access to qualified technical personnel from the railway sector poses a significant challenge nowadays. We have a great opportunity to shape the curriculum of our future personnel,” added Maciej Duczyński.
Under the agreement, the parties are also going to cooperate in the area of educating NEWAG’s employees at university programmes, Ph.D. and post-graduate programmes as well as presenting and propagating mutual achievements and organising regular training sessions and specialist training courses.
Collaboration with the leading Polish manufacturer of the rolling stock will also bring a lot of benefits to Politechnika Śląska.
“One of the priorities of Politechnika Śląska is the closest possible cooperation with companies. It enables scientific development and enhances the teaching process conducted at the technical university. I am convinced that thanks to our closer cooperation with NEWAG S.A., now confirmed by signing the agreement, we will be able to implement numerous joint R&D and educational projects which will be beneficial to both the company and the students and faculty of our university,” emphasized prof. Andrzej Karbownik, President of Politechnika Śląska.
Both parties have expressed their willingness to undertake joint research projects aiming at obtaining funds (including EU financing) that will enable the partners successful project implementation.
The agreement was signed for three years.