Ceremony of awarding Katowice the title of the European City of Science 2024 [coverage]

11:28 09.08.2022

Created by Agnieszka Put, Ph.D., Communication Unit; English version: Internationalization Office

Ceremony of awarding Katowice the title of the European City of Science 2024 [coverage]

The EuroScience Open Forum 2022 (ESOF) was held in Leiden from July 13-16. The event marked the inauguration of Katowice's acceptance of the title of European City of Science 2024. During the closing ceremony of the conference, the title of European City of Science 2024 was officially handed over to Katowice. Representing the University of Economics in Katowice, the event was attended by Her Magnificence Rector of the University of Economics in Katowice Prof. Celina M. Olszak, Ph.D., D.Sc, and the Vice-Rector for Science and Academic Staff Development. Prof. Maciej Nowak, Ph.D.

Title of the European City of Science

The title of the European City of Science is awarded once every two years. It was first awarded in 2004. The idea behind the initiative is to deepen the changes accompanying the transformation of society into a science society, and to showcase the richness and diversity of the European scientific landscape. Promotion of self-improvement, scientific integration and interest in science among younger generations is also of key importance.

Katowice is the first city in Central and Eastern Europe to be awarded the title of the European City of Science. The benefits of being awarded the title of ECS 2024 include greater interest from scientists, politicians and media representatives from around the world, related to increased opportunities to raise funds for the development of science, as well as increasing the city's tourism attractiveness internationally. The title of the European City of Science will also contribute to the universities’ influence on various spheres of life and their recognition on the global market.

EuoroScience Open Forum

The organizer of the European City of Science is EuroScience (European Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology). The association brings together more than 4,500 leading thinkers, innovators, journalists and education representatives from all around the world.

This year's 10th edition of EMN2022 was held in the European Science City of Leiden, the Netherlands, from July 13 to 16, 2022. As part of the closing ceremony of the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) conference, a ceremony was held to officially confer the title of European Science City to Katowice.

The ceremony was preceded by the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) 2022 Science Conference, which was held on July 15, 2022 at the International Congress Centre in Katowice as a ceremonial inauguration of Katowice's acceptance of the title of the European City of Science 2024. The conference was attended by representatives of the University of Economics in Katowice led by Her Magnificence Rector Prof. Celina M. Olszak. [coverage]

Ceremony of Awarding the ECS title

Source: ESOF - online transmission

The ceremony was opened by Marija Gabriel – Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. This was followed by a speech by Prof. Michael Matlosz – President of EuroScience. The symbolic keys of the European City of Science 2024 were handed over to the Mayor of Katowice, Marcin Krupa, by Henri Lenferink – Mayor of Leiden.

The ceremony was also attended by: Marshall of the Silesian Voivodeship Jakub Chełstowski and Chairman of the Board of the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis Kazimierz Karolczak, as well as representatives of the governing authorities of the seven universities associated in the Academic Consortium Katowice - City of Science:

the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice,
the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Katowice,
the Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice,
Silesian University of Technology,
Medical University of Silesia,
the University of Silesia in Katowice,
and the University of Economics in Katowice.

Presentation of the Universities

The program of the ceremony included short speeches by representatives of the authorities of the seven universities located in Katowice. This part of the ceremony was led by ESOF Champions Anna Budzanowska, Ph.D, and Prof. Ryszard Koziołek, Rector of the University of Silesia in Katowice.

"I am very proud that Katowice is the first city in Central and Eastern Europe to hold the title of the European City of Science. As one of the public economic universities in the region, the University of Economics in Katowice also contributes to this title." - Her Magnificence Rector Prof. Celina M. Olszak., emphasized in her speech.

Referring to the University's mission, Her Magnificence the Rector noted that it is based on six values: professionalism, innovation, openness, cooperation, commitment and sensitivity. "Above all, we believe in people (...) providing a high level of education. As an academic community, we identify with the dynamically developing region and environment, offering lifelong learning and supporting entrepreneurship, business and the public sector. We are a university open to international and expert cooperation. We create a community based on shared values and trust, enable equal opportunities and counteract all forms of exclusion. (...) I firmly believe that winning the title of the European City of Science will be a milestone for Katowice and the University." – Her Magnificence the Rector concluded.

Guests of the ceremony also had the opportunity to watch a specially prepared promotional film "Katowice – City of Science", which included Assistant Professor Julia Włodarczyk, Ph.D., representing our University. Marcin Wyrostek – an accordionist, winner of the second edition of the Mam Talent! program - performed during the ceremony.

More information about the conference on the website: https://www.esof.eu/