The Medical University of Silesia
The Medical University of Silesia has over sixty-year tradition. The University was established in 1948 as the Medical Academy in Rokitnica Bytomska. The first Rector of the school was Professor Nowakowski, a famous specialist in hygiene.
During the first five years, University consisted of one school of medicine and a dentistry department, but thanks to opening many clinical and theoretical units were able to ensure a complete educational process. Theoretical units, rector’s office, and library were located in Rokitnica and clinical units were located in hospitals in Zabrze and Bytom.
In the second half of the ’50s decision was made to establish the University’s Campus in Katowice. In 1971 this plan was successfully implemented. The Headquarters of the Medical University of Silesia was moved to Katowice. During this time our University became the largest medical school in Poland. Three new schools were opened i.e. School of Pharmacy with the Unit of Medical Analytics, the second School of Medicine and the School of Nursery (further included in the second School of Medicine).
Further expansion of the educational profile took place after the year 2000. At the time were established: the School of Health Care in 2001 and in 2002 School of Public Health.
University has developed its activity and has become large Higher Education Institution. Now in five schools is provided process of education on 13 fields of studies focused on preparing specialists for work in various communities and national health care system. Now Medical University of Silesia provides education to over 9000 students, PhD and postgraduate students. The University conducts also classes in English (English Program) for students from all over the world.
The Medical University of Silesia is constantly modernizing its didactic, research and clinical infrastructure. The construction of the Education and Medical Simulation Centre, implemented within the Infrastructure and Environment Programme gave opportunity to teach students of SUM using modern didactic based on simulation and IT techniques.
The University plays also an increasingly significant role in the development of areas such as: cardiology, cardio surgery, gastroenterology, hematology, nephrology and much more. Clinical hospitals of the Medical University of Silesia providing the best quality health care, are mentioned as the best centres in Poland. University intensively conducts scientific research which is reflected by many awards for its staff. One of the top priorities for the continued growth of the University is the expansion of the various forms of collaboration in the areas of research. The University maintains and develops various forms of cooperation with foreign research centers and universities worldwide through joint research, participation in international programs and research projects, joint publications and participation in scientific conferences, as well as through numerous student and staff exchanges. The Medical University of Silesia carries out active international cooperation within the “Lifelong Learning Programme”. To this date, the University has entered into many partnership agreements with medical universities and research centers worldwide.
Over the years, members of the SUM research staff have been receiving prestigious awards and are widely recognized for the excellent quality of their work, research and teaching.