On April 2, 2025, the first meeting of the series "Cooperation at the interface of Science - Entrepreneurs - Local Government" was held at the Rector's Office of the University of Białystok as part of the Rector's Commission for Projects and Development. It was attended by: the Rector's College, representatives of UwB faculties and organizational units, entrepreneurs and the Marshal's Office of the Podlaskie Voivodeship.
The event was organized by dr hab. Tomasz Bajkowski, prof. UwB, Vice-Rector for Development, Chairman of the Rector's Commission for Projects and Development.
The event was attended by entities most interested in commercialization at the largest university in Podlaskie, i.e. the Eastern Center for Technology Transfer, the Expert Center, the University Computing Center, the Project Department, deans and vice-deans of faculties, as well as representatives of three clusters: the Polish Construction Cluster, the Evoluma Industrial Cluster and the Infotech Technology Cluster. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Marshal's Office: Karolina Perkowska - Director of the Department of Funds and Programs Management, Emilia Malinowska - Director of the Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Karolina Stachnik - Director of the Marshal's Office.
Each unit presented its activities, expectations and networking of cooperation proposals.
- The initiative for the meeting was created as a result of three components: my previous meetings with cluster representatives and their interest in cooperation with the University of Białystok; projects offered by the Marshal's Office of the Podlaskie Voivodeship, which are focused on cooperation between science and business, and UwB's commitments to try to commercialize science so that it is a response to the needs of entrepreneurs - said the Vice-Rector for Development, dr hab. Tomasz Bajkowski, prof. UwB.
During the meeting, dr hab. Tomasz Bajkowski, prof. UwB emphasized that the university wants to establish specific ideas for cooperation in the area of: Science-Entrepreneurs-Local Government.
- We are trying to change internal procedures and shorten the decision-making path so that the University of Białystok becomes attractive to entrepreneurs on various levels of cooperation. The university is interested in modifying the courses or content presented in our studies so that they are adequate to the needs of entrepreneurs. As UwB, we want to use the great potential of staff and students. We are interested in internships, placements in companies or a scholarship system that would provide an opportunity for joint cooperation and finding the most interesting ideas - said Vice-Rector Tomasz Bajkowski.
The Rector of the University of Białystok, prof. dr. Hab. Mariusz Popławski, thanked all the guests for coming in such large numbers, and the Vice-Rector for Development, dr hab. Tomasz Bajkowski, prof. UwB, for organizing the meeting and his determination in action. He emphasized that the meeting was not just for information purposes but aimed at achieving specific goals.
- I am convinced that cooperation with representatives of universities, enterprises and the Marshal's Office of the Podlaskie Voivodeship will allow us to achieve the intended effects - emphasized the Rector of the UwB.
Prof. dr hab. Mariusz Popławski indicated that the University of Białystok, thanks to the support of the provincial government, has a chance to implement its activities and the cooperation so far has been very successful. The Rector of the UwB emphasized that education, science and research are the foundation of the University, but cooperation with the socio-economic environment is equally important.
- Our common goal is to act for the benefit of the region, prepare young people for the challenges of the future and adapt study programs to the needs of entrepreneurs. The established Rector's Committee for Development and Projects aims to respond to the expectations of students, graduates and employers and today's meeting is an opportunity to discuss the possibilities of commercialization and working together for mutual benefit - added the Rector of the University of Białystok.
The series of meetings aims to develop systemic solutions that will meet the needs of both the University and the business sector and support the development of innovative ventures.
The first meeting is an important step towards intensifying cooperation between the University of Białystok - entrepreneur - Marshal's Office, which will certainly contribute to the development of the region and the effective commercialization of UwB's activities.
