During the inauguration of the academic year at the Warsaw University of Technology, the Head of Government spoke about the ongoing industrial revolution. Technological and social transformations in which we participate are not only opportunities but also challenges. One of the biggest is the accumulation of knowledge by the wealthiest international corporations.

– I believe that this is a fundamentally unfair and wrong approach. If we want the world to develop in a good and sustainable way in the 21st century, we have to find a better solution, a regulatory answer respecting intellectual property – noted Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

A turning point in history – we allocate more funds for science development

Many years of neglect and lack of efficient state institutions limited the possibilities of investing in Polish science, development and research. However, the actions of the Law and Justice government have made it possible to change this policy.

– The improvement in public finance has enabled us to allocate increasing amounts to research, development and innovation – stressed Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

The historic increase in spending on the development of Polish science in 2019-2020 opens up new prospects. However, it poses further challenges for state institutions

– It is worth asking ourselves who will be the beneficiaries of this development? Will it be shared fairly? Today, big companies think that the beneficiaries of this knowledge can only be those who have it without sharing it. I believe that this is a fundamentally unfair and wrong approach. It is necessary to find a happy medium – better regulatory solutions that will respond to the significant challenges of the future – said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

The organisation of the academic year

The start of the 2021/2022 academic year is also a chance to return to in-person teaching in compliance with safety rules. For most universities, lectures will be held using distance learning methods and technologies. In addition, classes in smaller groups, such as exercises, lectures or laboratories, will be conducted on campuses.

The government's vaccination programme is an opportunity to return to normality. However, reducing the risk of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus depends on the everyday behaviour of each and every one of us.

– Today, I want to express my great joy that we can meet in person, but this joy is also accompanied by trepidation that we do not know how the fight against COVID-19 will go on. This trepidation should lead to responsibility – stressed Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

Warsaw University of Technology – one of the best technical universities in Europe

Currently, it is one of the largest and best technical universities in Central and Eastern Europe. It carries out its scientific and didactic activities through 19 faculties and one college. Every year, the university wins high places in international rankings. It is also a long-term 1st place holder in the "Ranking of Universities" of the "Perspektywy" monthly.

Warsaw University of Technology is one of the seven leading European technical universities that belong to the ENHANCE consortium. Under the European Commission's  European Universities Initiative, the agreement ensures cooperation between leading academic centres. The initiative serves the development of a coherent and long-term educational strategy. It also makes it possible to increase the mobility of the entire European academic community.