On Thursday, 16 October 2025, the University of Zielona Góra (UZ) welcomed representatives of the Leks company. The meeting resulted in the signing of a Letter of Intent, which will open new opportunities for UZ students and graduates to conduct research at production facilities and participate in internships and apprenticeships.
Leks is a family-owned company that has been producing bread and confectionery products in the Lubuskie region for over 35 years. The company combines traditional recipes with modern technology, creating products that reflect both quality and innovation. The Letter of Intent was signed on behalf of the company by Mr. Krzysztof Kononowicz, President of the Management Board, and on behalf of the University by Prof. Justyna Patalas-Maliszewska, DSc, Eng., Vice-Rector for Research and International Cooperation.
During the signing, Prof. Patalas-Maliszewska emphasized the wide range of benefits this cooperation brings:
“This collaboration creates space for many academic disciplines in which we conduct both scientific research and education at the University of Zielona Góra. On the one hand, it involves food technology, but on the other, it also includes automation of production lines, digitalization, improving production efficiency, and addressing energy-related challenges.
It also extends to challenges connected with product development itself – meeting the expectations of an aging population, or creating products for specific groups such as the military, where portions and ingredients must meet strict requirements. Looking at the range of challenges faced by the Leks company, it is clear that there is great potential for productive cooperation.”
Justyna Kostka, Chief Operating Officer at Leks, explained the company’s motivation for partnering with the university and the benefits it offers students:
“Our main goal is both product and process innovation. We want to give students the opportunity to grow in the field of baking, to work with us, and to use our technologies. At the same time, we want to optimize our processes and search for new solutions. Therefore, we also count on fresh insights from students and researchers – so that together we can achieve these goals.”
The meeting was also attended by Prof. Sławomir Kłos, DSc, Eng., from the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, who highlighted the importance of cooperation between academia and industry:
“Collaborations between universities and enterprises always bring new possibilities. They provide an irreplaceable opportunity to apply science in real-world conditions.”
The partnership will directly benefit students from the Institute of Automation, Electronics and Electrical Engineering and the Institute of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Zielona Góra.
