The University of Silesia in Katowice (Polish: Uniwersytet Śląski w Katowicach, UŚ) is an autonomous state-run university in Katowice, Silesia Province, Poland.[7]
Erasmus+, CEEPUS,[3]EUA, European Physics Education Network (EUPEN), European Law Faculties Association (ELFA) AUF, European Association of Schools of Social Work (EASSW), EUNIS,[4]EPSO, CERN, European Chemistry Thematic Network (ECTN)[5]
The university offers higher education and research facilities. It offers undergraduate, masters, and PhD degree programs, as well as postgraduate, postdoctoral research, habilitation, and continuous education and training programs.
Location of University of Silesia in Katowice within Poland.
The history of the University of Silesia in Katowice dates back to 1928, when the Instytut Pedagogiczny w Katowicach (Pedagogical Institute in Katowice) was established in Katowice which existed till 1939.[8] In 1950, the Higher Pedagogical School in Katowice was established,[9] however, first preparations to formation of what would later become the University of Silesia in Katowice were taken just after the end of Second World War.
In June 1962, a branch of Jagiellonian University was settled in Katowice, which concentrated, apart from humanities, on mathematics, physics and law.[10] Together with the Higher Pedagogical School in Katowice, these are the foundations of what came to life on June 8, 1968, as the University of Silesia in Katowice.[11] And so on October 1, 1968, the University (composed of four faculties) had its first academic year inaugurated, providing almost 6,000 students with twelve programmes, such as philology, pedagogics, psychology, history, law, administration, mathematics, physics, chemistry, physical education, electrotechnics and mechanics.[12] Three years later, the branch of the University in Cieszyn was established,[13] and in following years (1974-1978) six new faculties were opened.[14] In the years of 2002 and 2003, last two faculties were established, which had their roots in a reformed branch of the University in Cieszyn.[15]
Uniwersytet Śląski w Katowicach has facilities in four cities in the region: Katowice, Sosnowiec, Cieszyn and Chorzów. The majority of facilities are in Katowice; the main campus is in the city center.[16]
The university is in the center of a highly urbanized and ethnically complex region, the Metropolis GZM. Heavy industry is a significant influence, and ecological challenges are formidable. The university tries to maintain close links with local industries and Silesian traditions.
Scientific Information Centre and Academic Library (Polish Acronym: CINiBA), opened in 2012, is a modern scientific library open for students and researchers, but also people unrelated to university or academic activities. Being a joint project of the University of Silesia and University of Economics in Katowice, most of the materials are freely available in the open space to which users have free access. The library is equipped with modern technologies and information tools, and is adapted to meet the expectations people with disabilities.[22]