Visit of Fujitsu representatives

On 8 – 9 April 2024, the Silesian University of Technology hosted representatives of Fujitsu. The purpose of the visit was, among other things, to detail cooperation in innovative activities related to the implementation of the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

On the first day of the visit, the European HealthTech Innovation Centre took place, and the theme of the meeting was devoted to computational modelling and its selected industrial and biomedical applications.

Fujitsu is a world leader in the development of digital technologies, covering all levels of application from embedded technologies to the most advanced computing systems and artificial intelligence solutions. The company’s main strategic priority is to create and implement new local and global solutions to achieve the goals of the global agenda for sustainable development.
The Silesian University of Technology is in talks with Fujitsu on joint innovation activities, including: a programme to create, implement and jointly build an offer of reference system solutions related to the realisation of the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as a programme for the joint development of new application solutions in the field of computational design of advanced functional materials and their experimental validation.

The meeting was attended by:

• Prof. Marek Gzik, D.Sc., Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education,
• Prof. Anna Chrobok, D.Sc., Director of the College of Studies of the Silesian University of Technology,
• Prof. Sebastian Student, D.Sc., Director of the Biotechnology Centre of the Silesian University of Technology,
• Prof. Ewa Piętka, D.Sc., Head of the Department of Medical Informatics and Artificial Intelligence at the Silesian University of Technology and Chair of the Discipline Council of Biomedical Engineering at the Silesian University of Technology,
• Prof. Marek Niezgódka, Ph.D., a specialist in applied mathematics, an expert in mathematical modelling of processes and large-scale calculations,
• D. Eng. Marcin Kaczmarek, Prof. PŚ, Director of EHTIC.

Fujitsu was represented by:

• John Walsh, Chief Technical Officer, Vice President Fujitsu,
• Ingolf Stärk, Senior Director HPC Fujitsu European Platform Business,
• Mikiko Ikeda, Computing Subject Matter Expert Fujitsu Technology Strategy Unit,
• Jan Lubryka, Research and Development Group Lead Fujitsu Poland, Katowice Branch,
• Przemysław Szabelak, Business Development Director Fujitsu Poland, Warsaw Branch

The second day of the visit focused on the challenges of the digital transformation of Silesia in terms of transport, logistics and the development of smart ecosystems.

In addition to the guests from Fujitsu, the meeting and discussions took place in the Senate Hall of the Silesian University of Technology:

• Kazimierz Karolczak, President of the Upper Silesia and Zagłębie Metropolitan Council,
• Marta Jarno, Director of the Analysis Department, Ministry of Industry,
• Celina Zawiślak, European Funds and Foreign Affairs Department, Ministry of Industry,
• Aleksander Sobota, Professor Aleksander Sobota, PhD, Deputy Director for Transport, The Metropolitan Transport Authority
• Norbert Henzel, Vice-President of the Board, Upper Silesian Aviation Society SA,
• Mariusz Kuczek, Cargo Specialist, Upper Silesian Aviation Company SA,
• Grzegorz Sierpiński, PhD, Professor at the Silesian University of Technology, Faculty of Transport and Aeronautical Engineering,
• Grzegorz Karoń, D.Sc., Professor at the Faculty of Transport and Aeronautical Engineering.

During the meeting, the vision and plans for the emerging Centre for Technology and Computational Sciences of the Silesian University of Technology were presented. The Centre will become a leading centre for the development of innovative solutions and technologies and will address key challenges in the transformation of industry, the environment, the economy as a whole and social life.