2024 at AGH University-- AGH University of Krakow

An abstract image of three scientists in lab coats looking at large number 2024

2024 at AGH University

06-01-2025

The turn of the year is the perfect moment for a summary. We would like to present you a review of selected topics and events which were of particular significance for the university and its community in 2024.

Elections

2024 was a year of elections. The voting process took place from March to June, revealing the new university authorities and Senate members for 2024–2028. At the end of April, the AGH University Electoral College re-elected Professor Jerzy Lis as Rector for the second term of office. The 2024–2028 rector team is as follows: Vice-Rector for Science – Professor Marek Gorgoń, Vice-Rector for Cooperation – Professor Rafał Wiśniowski, Vice-Rector for General Affairs – Professor Tadeusz Telejko, Vice-Rector for Education – Professor Krzysztof Mendrok, and Vice-Rector for Student Affairs – Professor Rafał Dańko.

Cooperation in key areas

The AGH University and the Krakow Technology Park joined their forces to lead the Polish site of NATO DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic), namely the Krakow DIANA Accelerator. The goal of the DIANA accelerator network is to connect the competences of researchers, innovators, and start-ups collaborating on deep tech solutions with units in the defence and military sector. The main areas of activity of the Krakow DIANA Accelerator is to support the implementation of acceleration programmes concerning technological solutions indispensable for the security and defence of all NATO ally countries. The responsibility of the AGH University is to ensure the technological acceleration and the access to research and laboratory infrastructure. In practice, it translates into the development in key areas of our scientific activity, including but not limited to IT, especially cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, defence technology, energy, raw materials, and materials technology, and many others.

The AGH University Space Technology Centre joined the newly-established Polish Partnership for Earth Observation and is to create new Earth imaging technologies and develop domestic space strategy together with the remaining signatories to the agreement.
Created at the AGH University Space Technology Centre, MXene in LEO (MXene Material and Wearable Device Experiments in Low-Earth Orbit Space Habitat) will be one of the experiments conducted by Dr Sławosz Uznański, a Polish astronaut, on the International Space Station within Mission Ignis. This experiment focuses on studying MXenes, i.e. advanced nanomaterials with numerous potential applications in space missions. Mission Ignis is a ground-breaking event, marking a new stage in the development of the Polish space sector and a milestone for Polish science and technology.

The first Polish language model, Bielik, was developed in cooperation with the AGH University and with the use of the computational power of the two most powerful computers in Poland, Athena and Helios (AGH University Academic Computer Centre Cyfronet). Bielik-11B-v2 is a large language model (LLM) created by Speakleash, supported by the Academic Computer Centre Cyfronet. The project team involved employees of Polish enterprises, researchers, and students of AI-related fields of study. The work on the project took over a year. The AGH University provided the team with expertise and knowledge and, most importantly, with supercomputers and their computational power indispensable for the creation of the model.

For the first time in the history of Polish computer science, as many as four supercomputers from a single centre, the Academic Computer Centre Cyfronet, are included on the prestigious TOP500 list. Moreover, Helios ranks 3rd on the Green500 list of the most energy-efficient supercomputers. Thus far, none of the Polish systems have reached such a high place.

The AGH University is one of very few in Poland to have obtained a radio permit from the Office of Electronic Communications to use a private 5G network. The launch of the 5G network is a result of the finished consortium project “National Laboratory for Advanced 5G Research: PL-5G,” aimed to create research infrastructure for conducting practical research on 5G technologies and services. The 5G network allows the researchers to carry out a number of tests, studies, and analyses that are relevant from both the operator's and the end user's point of view. Under the project, the university established four laboratories located in the Institute of Telecommunications (Faculty of Computer Science, Electronics, and Telecommunications), which are as follows: 5G network laboratory, laboratory of 5G simulators and measurement tools, 5G environment laboratory – the IoT, 5G environment laboratory – multimedia research.

The AGH University joined the Polish natural hydrogen initiative, Geo-Hydrogen, the main objective of which is joint work in the field of scientific research, the typing of areas for the exploration of natural hydrogen deposits in Poland, and the development of technologies related to the potential exploitation of this raw material, among other things. In addition, the initiative envisages activities aimed at developing technologies related to the potential exploitation of these resources, as well as defining economic conditions for their extraction. The activities for education and the dissemination of knowledge include traineeships for students, conferences, and joint research and popular-science publications.

European standards and a network of international contacts

The AGH University has been recognised by the European Commission with the HR Excellence in Research Award, a distinction for institutions that implement the principles of the European Charter of Researchers. Our university is now in the group of the best higher education and research institutions which meet high standards in terms of transparent recruitment processes and creating friendly and appealing work environment that serves the development of an academic and research career.

Our university also joined the prestigious European network EURAXESS – Researchers in Motion, which supports researchers and their institutions in terms of mobility and career development. The AGH University is in the group of Polish institutions associated within EURAXESS. Being part of the network, there is a plethora of opportunities to participate in European initiatives, projects and events and make contacts with international community.

Achievements in research

AGH University researchers were honoured with awards of the minister of science for the most outstanding representatives of the scientific and academic community and with the award of the prime minister for outstanding scientific achievements. An AGH University researcher received the Polityka Science Award in the category of technical sciences. An AGH University ultrasound elastography specialist won in an international competition. Our scholars obtained scholarships and grants for the implementation of their research projects from the National Science Centre, the National Centre for Research and Development, and the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange.

Over the year, we have informed you on our communication channels about a wide spectrum of projects carried out at the AGH University and novel solutions our researchers have been working on. We reported on cutting-edge nanomaterials which may be useful during space missions, camel milk dressings for hard-to-heal wounds, photoprotective potential of a newly discovered vitamin E derivative, nonwoven fabrics which are a safe alternative for firefighters’ protective suits, an intelligent mountain rescue aid system, aggregates which will help breathe life into roofs, plants on a wire, biosensor research, obesity markers, glass dressings for wounds, non-invasive examinations of valuable and unique art works.

Photograph: AGH University

The photo shows students sitting in an auditorium.

Student success

The AGH Solar Boat Team had great starts in Sardinia and in Monaco. In turn, AGH Space Systems was triumphant at the University Rover Challenge in the USA and came in second at the European Rover Challenge. Interdisciplinary projects by our students were recognised in the 10th edition of the Student Construction Competition KOKOS and in the competition for student “Innovations in Industry.” The AGH University student representation has come back home from an international mathematics competition (the 31^st International Mathematics Competition for University Students) with two first prizes and a distinction. Our student created a station for studying Li-ion batteries in the stratosphere.

Academic community

We stand for accessibility! Our university obtained nearly PLN 8 million for the implementation of the project Accessibility Academy Plus. It is a next step towards safe and user-friendly space for all. The project involves the modernisation of buildings, introduction of a universal signage system, establishment of plain language counselling, and psychological and training support. Our actions are modern, original, and take into account the specificity of the AGH University as a technical university.

The AGH University Campus expanded with two new facilities. In spring, the Student Construction Centre was officially opened. It is at the core of the facility to foster student innovativeness, from the design phase to building prototypes. The equipment available there is worth nearly PLN 1.5 million. A new building housing the Space Technology Centre and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics was opened in autumn. The space is where students can perfect their projects in space and mechatronic engineering.

Image of a modern-looking grey building. — Student Construction Centre. Photograph: AGH University

Image of a modern building with redish facade and large bluish windows. — Building D-3. Photograph: AGH University

The AGH University Main Library along with faculty libraries implemented a new library system. The cutting-edge system Alma with the search interface Primo was launched after months of hard work. The system comprehensively supports almost all processes and offers a variety of features, from collecting, storing, and accessing resources to the use of library accounts. This is a significant step towards more efficient management of library resources and the provision of top-quality information services.

The AGH University launched a new system for reviewing the results of surveys conducted at the AGH University. The new tool is meant to improve educational processes and constitute a crucial element in the quality evaluation process at the AGH University.

The AGH University officially celebrated the establishment of the Alumni Association in Japan. The initiative reinforces the AGH University alumni community, encourages networking and academic and research cooperation between Polish and Japanese institutions.

Conferences and debates on current issues

In June, the AGH University hosted the NATO-Ukraine Defence Innovators Forum. NATO leaders met with stakeholders from Ukraine, Poland, and several other countries, who undertake practical actions for the development of defence on a daily basis, including the development of unmanned aircraft systems. Among the attendees were also entrepreneurs, investors, start-ups, members of academia, and decision makers who could discuss issues related to the use of unmanned technologies and supporting Ukraine and also other regions of the world in this regard.

The talks on internationalisation and the “International Alumni of Polish Universities in the Job Market” conference gathered representatives of the world of science, business, and politics, creating an inspiring forum for debates matters relevant to Polish universities, such as the internationalisation of the Polish science and higher education and integration of international alumni in the labour market.

Internationalisation was also the focus of the 12^th Quality Forum of the Polish Accreditation Committee organised by the Committee with our university. The main discussion panels were devoted to the most topical issues in the provision of quality in higher education (internationalisation, the role of comprehensive assessment in the internationalisation of study programmes, the internationalisation of education, language learning in higher education).

The rectors of three Krakow universities cooperating within InnoTechKrak discussed the matter of science in turbulent times, the role of universities as knowledge creators and how they should define their public mission in the currently divided world.

Let us remind you that in 2024 the AGH University prepared a report on key competencies of the engineer of the future. Its implications are to be of support in the development of an education offer for future students. Mapped skills shall be enhanced throughout the entire education. As a result, the graduates leaving the university walls will be even better prepared for the challenges posed by various labour markets.

First times

The first year to be in the second-cycle degree programme in Energy and Environmental Engineering (E3) graduated in March. E3 is a unique field of study provided jointly by the AGH University and a Japanese higher education institution, the Shibaura Institute of Technology, concluded with a double diploma. Six people received their diplomas during the latest graduation ceremony in Tokio.

In turn, July was the month of the first-ever graduation ceremony of the AGH Business School, an entity coordinating the MBA TECH programme.

In September, the AGH University saw the best young engineers in the world participating in the final of the European Rover Challenge, prestigious Martian rover championships, organised on the AGH University campus for the first time in the history of the challenge. Nearly 30 teams from several countries competed with their rovers in 5 tasks on 900 m2 of Martian-like terrain, created to resemble Valles Marineris, one of the largest canyons in the Solar System.

In October, the AGH University and Jagiellonian University communities joined their forces and organised the first, and certainly not the last, Equality Day. The event promoted equality and non-discrimination in various aspects of academic life, raised awareness on the rights of students and support measures available at both universities.

We are finishing 2024 with a sports bang! In the first Academic Sports Association’s Academic League games, our volleyball and basketball players won gold, whereas our hockey players and handball players got silver medals. The final games in three out of five disciplines (volleyball, basketball, handball) took place in the AGH University Sports Hall.