KGHM Polska Mied? S A : as patron of two courses at Wrocław University of Technology - geoinformatics and geodesy and cartography

The collaboration between KGHM and the Faculty of Geoengineering, Mining and Geology at Wrocław University of Technology is producing innovative research projects. Thanks to the patronage of the copper company, the university will be able to make even better use of the opportunities for development and, above all, the potential of students in innovative fields of study.

The agreement on the patronage of geoinformatics and geodesy and cartography was concluded within the walls of the university by Professor Arkadiusz Wójs, Rector of Wrocław University of Technology, and Marek Makuch, Chief Human Resources Officer at KGHM.

The agreement is a summary of the cooperation with the faculty of the Technical University, which includes analyses of deformation of the surface of mining areas using satellite interferometry technology or the implementation of research projects such as: AMICOS and VOT3D. The main objective of the AMICOS project was to identify maintenance activities on underground conveyor belts that can be robotised. The VOT3D project, in turn, aims to build a system for modelling and optimising the ventilation network of deep mines, based on spatial data obtained from scanning the workings with mobile scanners, which will allow the elimination of factors that reduce the efficiency of the mine's ventilation network.

- KGHM is an innovative company, so we are extremely pleased that research and development centres such as the Wrocław University of Technology also have such a modern approach. The agreement opens up a number of new opportunities for us. From consulting on new study programmes, to proposing directions for research and development cooperation in the areas of modern technology, geodesy and cartography and geoinformatics. Ultimately, this will ensure that our Divisions are staffed with qualified personnel and will be the strength of the Copper Giant," said Marek Makuch, chief director for human resources management at KGHM Polska Miedź S.A.

- Today's agreement is part of our university's development strategy, in which we have set out, among other things, to strengthen partnerships with the business community. The agreement with KGHM will enable students and doctoral students of the Faculty of Geoengineering, Mining and Geology to gain such important professional experience outside the university and will additionally guarantee them close contact with modern technologies," concluded Arkadiusz Wójs, Rector of Wrocław University of Technology, in a meeting with KGHM representatives.

KGHM's umbrella courses have only recently become part of the range of courses offered by the Wrocław-based university and are a response to the challenges faced by modern Earth sciences and industry.

Graduates of surveying and cartography enter the job market as people with the skills to acquire spatial data using modern measurement techniques with drones or laser scanning, which is very useful in the broader field of environmental monitoring and the detection of natural hazards or the reclamation of post-mining areas.

Geoinformatics graduates, on the other hand, are able to use modern IT technologies and programming methods to process datasets (including in the cloud), and are familiar with machine learning methods and spatial database systems.

Patronage changes the most in the lives of faculty students - as a result, agreements will be concluded enabling the implementation of group internships in the mining branches of KGHM, which will definitely strengthen the competences of future graduates of the university.

Graduates of the university join the ranks of KGHM employees year after year, creating a pool of people employed primarily in supervisory and managerial positions.