Letter of Intent with Dąbrowa

Professor Wiesława Piatkowska-Stepaniak,Vice-Rector for Development and Administration and Marek Leja, Head of Dąbrowa Commune, officially signed the letter of intent on cooperation related to the creation of the Centre of Strategy and Energy Security of UO in Dąbrowa (CSiBE), together with a scientific, education and training platform in the Palace and Park complex in Dąbrowa. The agreement is to be the first step to create a consortium with the participation of, inter alia, the University of Opole and Dąbrowa. The main areas of operation of the Centre will be based on research in the field of renewable sources of electric and heat energy.

- We hope that we will, just like our German colleagues did, build up a zero-emission commune in Dąbrowa - stressed Prof. Piątkowska-Stepaniak. - For many years we have been trying to find a new role for the palace and I hope that this time we’ll manage to complete such an ambitious project - she added.

Roman Żelazny, Rector’s Proxy for the Palace in Dąbrowa presented to the Senate Committee for Organization and Development of UO targets of the project and the advancement of work. - The most important thing is to prepare the project for the Polish Roadmap for Research Infrastructure. The fact of being on the Map is almost a guarantee of obtaining financing - said Roman Żelazny. Financing for projects comes from the national budget or EU funds.

The investment is estimated to be worth 150 million zlotys. The future centre is to comprise 11 underground laboratories, weather station, conference centre, library, multimedia room, and rooms for researchers. – The Palace is to be adjusted to today's needs, while retaining as much of its historic value – ensures Roman Żelazny.

Engineers from the Opole University of Technology are also to be invited to the project. - It wouldn’t look good if we were to ask engineers from the outside, when at hand we have Opole University of Technology. Cooperation with them is simply necessary” - said Profsessor Piotr Wieczorek.

The Centre's mission will be to build partnership between scientists, businessmen and local government, and to implement developed innovations into the economy and business.

The meeting and the signing of the agreement took place on 17 November 2016.