The University of Zielona Góra and SWISS KRONO, one of Poland's leading manufacturers of wood-based materials, have signed a new Letter of Intent, marking the next stage in a long-standing and successful partnership between academia and industry.
The agreement further strengthens cooperation between the company and the University's Institute of Visual Arts, opening up new opportunities for education, research, and innovation. Among its key objectives are the practical training of students in the field of wood-based materials and the exchange of knowledge that brings together industrial expertise, academic research, and design practice.
The partnership will include a wide range of activities, including study visits, materials workshops, design competitions, research and development projects, and collaboration in the fields of interior architecture, materials science, logistics, and environmental protection. These initiatives will actively engage both students and academic staff of the Institute of Visual Arts.
The agreement on behalf of the University of Zielona Góra was signed by Prof. Justyna Patalas-Maliszewska, Vice-Rector for Science and International Cooperation, who emphasised that the partnership with SWISS KRONO has already been producing tangible results for many years.
“Our cooperation with SWISS KRONO has delivered tangible results for many years. Our students have repeatedly participated in study visits to the company's facilities, and numerous diploma projects have been developed in response to real challenges related to technology and automation. Together, we have undertaken many valuable initiatives, and it is clear that both our students and staff are deeply engaged in this partnership.
This is an important moment in the development of our cooperation with SWISS KRONO. It demonstrates that universities and businesses can work together to develop innovative solutions and contribute to economic growth. Together, we can develop solutions that have real potential for commercial application.
I am delighted that we are entering another phase of our cooperation. It shows that we have already achieved meaningful results and share an ambitious vision for the future. Through this partnership, we can bring the creativity and artistic excellence of the Institute of Visual Arts to a wider audience. It is yet another example of how the interdisciplinary potential of the University of Zielona Góra can be harnessed in a truly innovative way.”
For the company, the collaboration also offers an opportunity to benefit from fresh perspectives and creative thinking. According to Piotr Kaczmarek, Plant Director and Member of the Management Board of SWISS KRONO, the partnership will bring significant value to both sides.
“At SWISS KRONO, we are a highly modern and innovative company, and innovation is driven by talented and forward-thinking people. This cooperation will allow both sides to better understand the realities of today's world. It will be an exchange of ideas, knowledge, and energy that will foster development for both our students and our company.
Although we are often perceived primarily as a manufacturing company, our business extends far beyond production. We are constantly looking for new ideas and fresh approaches to design. Customers frequently choose our products because of the designs and patterns featured on our flooring panels, furniture boards, and kitchen worktops. This is where artistic creativity becomes essential.
We may excel in terms of quality and price, but ultimately it is design that makes a product stand out.”
The leadership of the Institute of Visual Arts is equally confident that its students will bring creativity, fresh perspectives, and enthusiasm to the partnership.
Prof. Radosław Czarkowski, Director of the Institute of Visual Arts, believes that the agreement will contribute significantly to the further development of the Institute and its study programmes.
“This partnership will support the continuous development of our Interior Architecture programme and the Institute as a whole. I also hope it will positively influence our Graphic Design courses, which play a crucial role in contemporary design. Without strong visual communication, even the best products struggle to succeed in the marketplace.
We are not talking solely about functionality, as in furniture or architectural design, but also about visual identity and the symbolic value of design. Our Institute has a strong artistic and design-oriented profile, and this is an important moment for strengthening our design programmes, particularly Interior Architecture.
Our students are eager to engage with industry and ready to take on these new challenges.”
The meeting was also attended on behalf of the University of Zielona Góra by Prof. Anna Owsian, Deputy Director of the Institute of Visual Arts; Joanna Legierska-Dutczak from the Institute of Visual Arts and coordinator of the Letter of Intent; Izabela Sobkowiak from the Institute of Visual Arts; and Dr Wojciech Babirecki from the University's Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer.
Representing SWISS KRONO were also Bartosz Banach, Member of the Management Board, and Jarosław Masina, Head of Marketing.
The newly signed agreement once again demonstrates the University of Zielona Góra's commitment to building meaningful partnerships with industry and creating educational opportunities that combine academic knowledge, creativity, and practical experience. By bringing together art, design, and manufacturing, the University and SWISS KRONO are creating a space where innovative ideas can be transformed into real-world solutions.
