In welcoming the guests, Dean Prof. Katarzyna Grabowska addressed special words to Prof. Sławomir Wiak, the Rector of the previous term, and Prof. Zofia Wysokińska, the former Vice-Rector of the University of Lodz, a specialist in international economics, European integration and sustainable development. The Dean said that thanks to the national and international projects, the infrastructure of the Faculty has changed a lot and today it looks very modern. She also shared her concern about the low number of students. Meanwhile, the number of companies that form the Business Council is impressive, which once again confirms how much graduates from the courses conducted at the Faculty are needed.
The profiles of the companies comprising the Business Council clearly show what modern textiles are today. It includes representatives of the technical knitwear sector and atomotive, manufacturers of geotechnical fibres, agrofibres, textile machinery and those specialising in fabric dyeing. In appreciating education on textile design, the Business Council was joined by designers of well-known brands, as well as companies producing clothing, including corporate clothing and uniforms. There were also manufacturers of haberdashery, underwear, tights, socks, shirts and various types of knitwear for the medical market. There is also a well-known company producing carpets, but also turf for sports fields and a large manufacturer of threads.
Prof. Zofia Wysokińska encouraged participants to create consortia and apply for EU money intended for science-business-society partnerships. As she emphasised, we need to move towards a circular digital economy. They also talked about implementing smaller projects and creating dedicated rooms at the Faculty to promote companies. Prof. Sławomir Wiak emphasised that it is necessary to educate students in contact with the realities of the industry and to develop smart clothing.
Dean Prof. Katarzyna Grabowska and Prof. Zbigniew Mikołajczyk handed in the acts of appointment as Members of the Business Council and members of the Board were elected. They became: Lucyna Bilińska, the head of the research and development department at Zakład Włókienniczy Biliński SP.J., Piotr Jakubiak, the CEO of Dywilan- Polskie Dywany Wełniane, Iwona Kossmann from DENI CLER, CEO of DCG S.A., Monika Flisek the director of the All-Polish Chamber of Leather Industry.