Awards from the Minister of Education and Science for two AGH UST scientists

Professor Mirosław Karbowniczek from the Faculty of Metals Engineering and Industrial Computer Science received the award for his monograph titled Electric arc furnace steelmaking. This publication comprehensively describes modern aspects of construction, technological processes, and energy balance in electric arc furnaces used to produce steel. In his monograph, the author transparently presented the most important elements related to the theory and practice of steelmaking technology, which has been replacing traditional iron-smelting technologies. It pomotes a steelmaking technology based on recycling waste iron alloys, which is characterised by significantly reduced CO2 emissions compared to the process in oxygen converters, which, in turn, complies with the idea of a green industry. The publication is of international significance because the steelmaking method described in the work is the only one applicable in a number of countries.

Awards in the category of significant achievements in scientific activity are presented for:

• Carrying out research and development work, as a result of which new products, processes, or services have been created or improved
• Authorship or co-authorship of scientific publications.

Honourable mentions in this category went to 45 people, including 5 research teams.

Professor Jerzy Zych from the Faculty of Foundry Engineering is known in the Polish cicrcles of foundry engineers for his activities in favour of the industry, as well as his perennial implementation activity, which has not slowed down even in the most difficult times for the economy, that is, the COVID-19 pandemic. His implementation activity is characterised by profound intensity, a wide thematic scope, and fruitful cooperation with multiple enterprises operating in various regions of Poland, in which he works to implement multifarious projects. All this is corroborated by the list of his achievements in the field of commercialisation of his own inventions; the list was prepared by the AGH UST Technology Transfer Centre (it refers to the years 2020–2021, that is, the period evaluated in the award submission, and includes five licence agreements, the development of two patents, and two patent applications).

11 individual and team awards were presented in the category of significant achievements in implementation activity, which went to 43 people. The laureates excelled in the following fields:

• Practical use of research results or effects of development work, especially in the industrial, scientific, and trading industries
• Commercialisation of results of scientific activity and know-how related thereto
• Implementation of an original project, technological, or artistic achievement.

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The awards by the Minister of Education and Science are presented in five categories – for significant achievements in scientific, educational, implementation, organisational activities, as well as for the entire academic achievement. This year, the Minister granted 66 awards in total, including 52 individual and 14 team awards.