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What is your vision of cooperation between Asseco Data Systems and UMCS? What effects does the company expect, and the significance of the recently signed contract with the largest university in eastern Poland?

The Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin is one of Asseco's strategic partners in the area of ​​broadly understood cooperation. I am aware that UMCS is the largest public university on the eastern side of the Vistula, having an excellent, opinion-forming brand. I am very pleased with the signed agreement, the form and scope of which have been discussed for many months, and I have no doubts that it is the first significant step in mutual relations. I want to thank the Rector, prof. Radosław Dobrowolski for his great openness and kindness. I hope that we will be able to jointly use the substantive potential of UMCS and the technological experience of Asseco to the benefit of both organizations. We are interested in developing, in cooperation with UMCS, new standards and IT tools that will constitute a model for other universities, both public and private, in particular in the field of management, e.g. doctoral school, evaluation and education. In the field of R&D projects, we want to operate in the area of ​​virtual and augmented reality. Together, we want close cooperation between the university and the economic environment. In the educational dimension, we will be happy to share our experts' knowledge and organize internships and apprenticeships for students. Additionally, Lublin is an important centre on the academic map of Poland. UMCS is a member of the Union of Lublin Universities, and through this prism, we are also interested in wider cooperation between universities and the city. I am convinced that the signed agreement means new opportunities and challenges for both organizations.

How do you assess the potential of Centrum Ecotech-Complex in terms of the activities that ADS intend to conduct here?

We highly appreciate the potential and, above all, the activity of Centrum Ecotech-Complex. This is one reason that encouraged us to sign this agreement, which we do not hide, which is a great challenge. The centre has great infrastructure and equipment. However, most of all, we were convinced by the great commitment and professionalism of Rector Radosław Dobrowolski and the director of the Ecotech-Complex, prof. Ryszard Naskręcki. The effectiveness of cooperation is determined primarily by committed, competent and open to new ideas partners, and we have met such partners here at UMCS. This is the best recommendation and encouragement for our cooperation.

Teaching using electronic communication and e-learning techniques is nothing new, although most universities treated them as a supplement to traditional forms of teaching. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the necessity to switch to remote teaching in a relatively short time surprised everyone. How, in your opinion, did Polish universities cope with this challenge?

The year 2020 has changed the approach to digitization in our work and everyday life. Remote work is likely to stay with us for a long time and continue in many industries after the pandemic. The hybrid model that will be developed, combining the effects of traditional work with the benefits of remote work, will dominate many companies and institutions. There are also huge changes taking place in the field of education, especially in higher education. Students will more and more often look for good universities worldwide, which will increase competition and create new opportunities. Asseco has only been involved in the computerization of education for several years, but we have quickly become a leader in this market. We are also more and more effectively entering foreign markets with our products and solutions. The approach to digitizing the education process is very diverse. Most universities in Poland passed the exam forced by the pandemic and successfully dealt with the crisis. Now is the time to use these experiences and start building target solutions that support hybrid learning. Most of the universities we work with are aware of the challenges and seriousness of the situation and the new opportunities offered by digital transformation. We are at a perfect time to jointly turn these opportunities and possibilities into success.

One of the areas of ADS activity is the "Partnership for universities" program. What is it about?

We treat our contractors as partners, not customers, and this philosophy has guided us for many years. A good partner is recognized above all in difficult times. Such a test was the closure of the university in March 2020. Within a few days, an initiative was created in which the National Cloud Operator and Google Polska were involved. We implemented the Educational Platform at a swift pace in a dozen or so universities that asked us for help. We have devoted thousands of work hours to maintain the continuity of teaching processes and help our Partners survive in this completely new reality. These activities were performed completely free of charge and without any obligations for further cooperation. The project was also supported by organizations such as KRASP, KRePUZ and Perspektywy Education Foundation. The Partnership program is based on mutual respect and trust. Asseco cooperates with over 50 universities in Poland. These universities are diverse, ranging from large public ones such as UMCS, Silesian University of Technology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Naval Academy through private universities, and ending with vocational schools. As part of this cooperation, we try to create a certain standard in IT systems supporting all university activity areas. Important elements of this strategy are digitization and the use of the possibilities of cloud solutions.

For several years, we have been observing the dynamic development of the IT industry in Lublin. The IT industry has been entered into the "Lublin Development Strategy for 2013-2020" as one of the city's priority sectors. Both large companies have their headquarters here, incl. Asseco Data System, Asseco Business Solutions and startups. Where did this trend come from? How do you assess Lublin's potential in terms of the functioning and development of the IT industry?

This trend is not accidental. This is the result of many years of good cooperation between local authorities, universities and business. Consistent implementation of the strategy by President Dr Krzysztof Żuk and the director of the Department of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, dr. Mariusz Sagan gives results. The progress observed in recent years was not easy because it required building the entire ecosystem - starting from good infrastructure to high-quality staff, and thus also high-quality education. Good companies create attractive jobs and thus good living conditions. In Lublin, it is successful, and we believe that the city and the region still have much potential for development.

The interview was conducted by Ewa Kawałko-Marczuk and translated to English by Monika Kusiej