Millions from Grupa Azoty
- The agreement that we are to sign today is an extremely important document, an important step on the road to the implementation of the Pomology Project - said Rector of the University of Opole, Professor Marek Masnyk during the signing ceremony, attended also by President of the Board of Grupa Azoty, Kędzierzyn-Koźle, Mateusz Gramza and member of the Board of Directors, Kamil Bortniczuk.
- We are very happy that we can support the initiative of the University of Opole and treat it in a purely business way because as one of the largest manufacturers of fertilizers not only in Poland, but in Europe we need access to modern laboratories, the latest research techniques and specialized scientific staff, and thanks to the participation in this project we will have it - said President Mateusz Gramza. - We have been waiting for such an initiative and we are pleased that we can be a part of it.
- We are attempting to gather around the Pomology Project various business partners because it is designed not only for academic research, but above all for the world of business. It is a modern practice of science - said prof. Marek Masnyk.
- This project is a good example of combining business with science - added Kamil Bortniczuk.
Flagship project at the beginning of the implementation
The project of revitalization of the Royal Academy of Sciences in Prószków is, together with the founding medical studies and creating Faculty of Medicine, a flagship project of the University of Opole.
The university has to raise 10 million zlotys to apply for an EU grant. A few weeks ago a donation of 1.5 million zlotys was declared by Opole County (Powiat) and recently 2 million zlotys were given by Marshal of the Opole Voivodeship, Andrzej Buła. Now, Grupa Azoty supported the project with 2.5 million zlotys.
What the project is about
The University of Opole, together with local authorities, builds an International Research and Development Centre for agriculture and food industry. The Centre is to be established on the site of the former School of Natural Sciences..
The cost of the project - Revitalization of the Royal Academy of Sciences in Prószków - is 42 million zlotys. It will take at least three years to complete it.
The Centre will include, inter alia, a laboratory performing paid tests for food industry in the area of toxicology, ecotoxicology, soil science, or precision agriculture. It will also encompass experimental fields, nature trails and an area for organising events related to agriculture, for example, fairs.
The research part of the Centre with specialist laboratories will be built on the university campus in Opole.