Participation of University Representatives in the International Conference MaTeDaS-2025 and the Celebrations of the 60th Anniversary of the Faculty of Mechanical and Technological Engineering of Rzeszow University of Technology in Stalowa Wola (Poland)
On June 11–13, 2025, The International Scientific Conference “MaTeDaS 2025 – International Scientific Conference on Materials and Technologies for Defence and Security” was held. It was organised by Rzeszów University of Technology (Rzeszów, Poland) and the Faculty of Mechanical and Technological Engineering of the university’s branch in Stalowa Wola. The conference was dedicated to discussing scientific challenges and prospects in the field of materials and technologies for defence and security. As part of the conference, celebrations were also held to mark the 60th anniversary of the Faculty of Mechanical and Technological Engineering of Rzeszów University of Technology in Stalowa Wola.
At the invitation of the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical and Technological Engineering at Rzeszow University of Technology, Professor Andrzej Tritek, representatives of Khmelnytskyi National University took part in the conference. These were Professor Viacheslav Kharzhevskyi,, Head of the Educational and Scientific Center SOLIDWORKS, Professor at the Department of Industrial Engineering and Agroengineering, and Professor Halyna Kalda, Head of the Department of Construction and Civil Safety..
The conference was officially opened in Stalowa Wola at the university’s Faculty of Mechanical and Technological Engineering branch, where a solemn meeting of the Academic Council took place. Among the speakers were the Rector of the University, Professor Piotr Koshelnik, the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Andrzej Tritek, as well as other distinguished guests.
The ceremony was attended by approximately 300 participants, including representatives of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, Stalowa Wola municipal authorities, rectors and vice-rectors of several Polish and other European universities cooperating with Rzeszow University of Technology, as well as deans of faculties collaborating with the Faculty of Mechanical and Technological Engineering.
On the first day of the conference, in addition to the solemn meeting of the Academic Council dedicated to the Faculty’s 60th anniversary in Stalowa Wola, a thematic session was held. During this session, representatives of Huta Stalowa Wola, a leading mechanical engineering company producing a wide range of civil and military products, delivered their presentations.
Rector of Rzeszow University of Technology Professor Piotr Koshelnik (right), Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical and Technological Engineering Professor Andrzej Tritek (left), and representatives of Khmelnytskyi National University – Professor Viacheslav Kharzhevskyi and Professor Halyna Kalda.
Particular interest among conference participants was sparked by the exhibition of Polish mechanical engineering enterprises, which showcased their achievements and a range of modern products.
Of special interest to Professor Viacheslav Kharzhevskyi, Head of the Educational and Scientific Centre SOLIDWORKS, was the booth of the Polish company ITA, which presented equipment for 3D scanning of components and assemblies in mechanical engineering. This equipment aims to automate the creation of 3D models for CAD systems, including SOLIDWORKS, and is also used for reverse engineering. The photo shows the process of scanning a component and creating a model in STL format using a modern high-precision 3D scanner worth 70,000 euros.
As part of the conference, a demonstration of military equipment produced by Polish mechanical engineering companies was also held.
In addition to the industry exhibition, the Faculty of Mechanical and Technological Engineering organised tours of its laboratories, allowing conference participants to familiarise themselves with modern equipment for studying automation, robotics, and mechatronics, which is used by mechanical engineering students of Rzeszow University of Technology in their educational process.
For example, the photo at the bottom right shows a setup for recycling plastic products into filament for 3D printing. The process operates as follows: plastic items are loaded into a hopper, crushed by a screw conveyor, then heated and formed into a plastic thread (filament) wound onto a spool, which is then used by a 3D printer to create new plastic products.
Another highlight for conference participants was a tour of the automobile museum, operating at the Faculty of Mechanical and Technological Engineering of Rzeszów University of Technology in Stalowa Wola.
The second and third days of the conference were held in the picturesque historic city of Sandomierz, where thematic sessions took place at the Sarmata Hotel. Three sessions were held in total, which also included presentations by companies showcasing their business profiles and capabilities in both manufacturing and research.
The main objective of the conference was to present opportunities and research capabilities for the defense industry, as well as to exchange experiences, ideas, and knowledge among university staff and industry representatives to strengthen cooperation with defense companies. The conference showcased the latest advancements in materials science, special construction, and technologies, along with exhibitions of research and scientific equipment. The topics covered included special technologies (welding, casting, plastics processing, mechanical treatment, and assembly), modern tools for computer-aided 3D modelling and engineering analysis in mechanical engineering, innovative manufacturing methods and techniques, as well as production quality and organisation.
Notably, Professor Viacheslav Kharzhevskyi delivered a presentation entitled: “The usage of SOLIDWORKS for the synthesis and analysis of mechanisms and machines.” He presented Khmelnytskyi National University’s experience in implementing modern 3D modeling technologies and engineering analysis for student training and solving practical problems in mechanical engineering within the framework of cooperation between the university’s SOLIDWORKS Center and industrial enterprises in Ukraine.
The conference presentations aroused considerable interest, lively discussions, and facilitated the establishment of contacts for further cooperation.
Beyond the conference program, participants also had the opportunity to visit the museums of the ancient city of Sandomierz, including the Royal Castle, and to admire the medieval architecture of the 13th–14th centuries during an organised tour. After the conference concluded and upon returning to Rzeszow, participants also had the opportunity to communicate with colleagues at Rzeszow University of Technology, with which our university has long enjoyed fruitful cooperation.
In summary, the MaTeDaS 2025 Conference, held in Poland every three years, provided insights into the current state of development of technologies and materials for defence and security. It outlined scientific challenges and perspectives for further cooperation for our university, marking an important step towards strengthening international scientific collaboration.