THE STRATEGY OF THE FACULTY OF PRODUCTION ENGINEERING

Period: 2019-2030

The basis of the Strategy of the Faculty of Production Engineering is Resolution no. 66/2018-2019 of 24 May 2019 adopted by the Senate of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin – Development strategy of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin for the period 2019-2030. The strategy for the years 2019 – 2030 is closely related to the current economic and demographic situation of the country and the region. The development strategy of the University of Life Sciences includes many guidelines for the heads of faculties, organisational units and the entire community of the university.

Objectives related to cooperation with business partners

To achieve the objectives of the strategy, the personnel of the Faculty of Production Engineering ensures that the expectations of key business partners are met:

For students, the faculty is a modern and friendly place of education with opportunities for comprehensive growth – practical development of scientific passions, professional competences and entrepreneurship.

2. For research partners, the faculty is an innovative centre of high-quality scientific research, development and implementation of projects to support the economy and society.
3. For the society and economy, the faculty is the initiator of the implementation of innovative technical and business solutions, a populariser of science and an active partner in the development of the country, the region and the local community.

Strategic objectives of the Faculty of Production Engineering

There are four main tasks included in the strategy of the Faculty of Production Engineering which result from Resolution no. 66/2018-2019, of 24 May 2019, of the Senate of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin. Those are:

1. Strengthening of the scientific and research position of the university
2. Ensuring the highest quality of education
3. Development of the cooperation with the scientific community and the socio-economic environment
4. Effective management of the university

The strategic goals of the faculty are achieved through the implementation of operational objectives which are formulated in the development strategy of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin for the period 2019-2030. The main goal of the faculty is a dynamic development to increase the importance and potential of the unit in the scientific, educational and economic space of the region and the country. The most important objectives of the Faculty of Production Engineering are: education and development of skills of highly qualified engineering staff for the economy, e.g. agriculture, agri-food industry, transport, construction, power engineering; conducting scientific research in the area of agricultural engineering, production engineering, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, geodetic surveying and cartography, logistics, production management and applied engineering sciences; dissemination of knowledge, technical and technological progress of conducted research and education; development of science and didactics towards innovation and implementation economy; development of cooperation with economic entities to implement the results of research works; close cooperation with scientific institutions in Poland and abroad regarding scientific research. Therefore, the priority of the faculty is the development of research staff and students to expand the knowledge and introduce modern technologies.

Tasks necessary to achieve the strategic objectives

1. In the area of research:

The subject of conducted research is related to educational activities organised by individual units. The research works are performed in the following areas:

• strength and rheological properties of biological materials;
• physical, functional and processing properties of biological materials and agricultural products, raw materials and food products;
• energy properties of plant materials;
• techniques of processing raw materials with the use of ultrasound, microwaves and mechanical treatment;
• refrigeration and freezing of agricultural products and food;
• thermal and energy technology of the food industry;
• construction and operation of machinery, production lines and processing in the agri-food industry;
• phenomena occurring during storage of loose and granular materials;
• tertiary processed food, contamination and food quality;
• construction and operation of vehicles and transportation equipment;
• optimisation of the operation of the means of transport;
• transport systems;
• technical diagnostics, maintenance and repairing of machines;
• electronic engineering and mechatronics of vehicles;
• performance, energy and ecological parameters of internal combustion engines, especially power supply systems;
• conventional and unconventional fuels;
• renewable energy sources.
• plant protection and mineral fertilisation techniques;
• techniques of pre-treatment and processing of grains, seeds and herbs;
• pressure and non-pressure agglomeration techniques;
• machines and technological processes used in gastronomy and the confectionery industry;
• thermal and hydrothermal treatment of plant-based materials;
• agricultural, horticultural and forestry machinery;
• application of geodetic techniques and measurement technologies in monitoring and shaping of the natural environment;
• application of cartographic methods in the analysis of spatial differentiation of agricultural and timber market;
• analysis of land fragmentation and registered plots and determination of the urgency to undertake land transformation works including land mergers;
• water and wastewater management;
• computer-aided design;
• mathematical and statistical modeling;
• statistical control of industrial processes;
• safety of industrial processes;
• ergonomics of agriculture and the food industry,
• kinematics and dynamics of handling machines;
• reduction of quantitative and qualitative losses of plant materials;
• analysis of material properties at macro, micro and nano levels to improve food quality;
• quality systems in the food industry;
• materials science;
• commodity science;
• monitoring and control of industrial processes;
• by-products and waste management in the agri-food industry;
• packaging and biodegradable biopolymers.

2. In the area of didactics

The basic didactic activity of the units of the Faculty of Production Engineering is related to eight courses of study at the faculty: Green Power Engineering, Geodesy and Cartography, Chemical and Process Engineering, Agricultural and Forest Engineering, Food Science and Technology, Environmental Engineering, Transport and Logistics, Production Management and Engineering and courses conducted at other faculties of the university: Landscape Architecture, Occupational Health and Safety, Forestry, Food Science, Spatial Management, Garden Art and Floral Arrangements, Bioengineering, Tourism and Recreation, Biocosmetology, Food Technology and Human Nutrition, Gastronomy and Culinary Art. Moreover, didactic activities cover postgraduate studies: Environmental Monitoring and Environmental Impact Assessment. The university plans to continue improving the quality of the didactic process by modernising teaching programmes to offer students new subjects related to the latest achievements and directions of development of modern science. The university concentrates on improving the social skills and competencies of students. The students are encouraged to take part in various kinds of activities and join voluntary organisations or scientific associations. The university constantly adjusts the profile of a graduate of a given faculty to the criteria of the Polish Qualifications Framework. The university is also involved in career counseling for students and graduates and monitors the careers of the graduates.

The laboratories are modernised on a regular basis and equipped with high-tech measuring instruments and research devices. The university plans to expand the curriculum and add new majors to adapt to the needs of the economy. It is planned to expand the teaching offer in foreign languages, mainly in English. The academic personnel is recognised and awarded for their performance. The quality of education is constantly improved by raising the qualifications and competencies of the teaching staff (foreign languages, new teaching methods) and by using new methods and didactic techniques. The university ensures good cooperation of the teams responsible for the quality of education and curriculum councils.

3. In the area of the education and research

The premises and equipment base of the Faculty of Production Engineering has been significantly improved during the construction of the Centre of Innovation and Implementation of New Techniques and Technologies at ul. Głęboka 28 in Lublin, co-financed by the Operational Programme Eastern Poland 2007-2013, I.1 “infrastructure of the university”. 25 highly specialised laboratories and research studios, which are part of the extensive research infrastructure of the university, belong to the faculty. The above-mentioned laboratories cover the following areas of research and implementation activities: vehicle diagnostics and exploitation, renewable energy sources, conventional power generation, production engineering, food engineering, chemical engineering, in vitro testing, surveying instruments, microbiology, electro-technology and electronic engineering, gas chromatography, isotope utilisation, environmental engineering, water and wastewater management, water analysis, food analysis, amino acid analysis.

The main task is to fully use the potential of the scientific and didactic base and to constantly supplement it with modern equipment. The university tries to obtain new financial resources, i.a., from structural funds or scientific projects. The implementation of such a goal involves flexible adaptation and use of the infrastructure such as rooms and equipment depending on the needs of ad hoc research teams. Opening new laboratories help to intensify the cooperation with some industries in the field of research and to develop the competencies of the staff. The university intends to expand the offer of specialisation studies which is possible due to the increase of research and educational potential of the Faculty of Production Engineering, a noticeable increase in the number of persons interested to study at the faculty is expected.

4. In the area of personnel policy

The personnel policy is regulated by the Statute of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin in connection with Art. 227 sec. 3 of the Act of 3 July 2018. Provisions enforcing the Act – the Law on Higher Education and Science (Dz.U./ Journal of Laws/ of 2018, item 1669).

The number of academic lecturers depends on the number of students at the faculty and any changes in the structure of the personnel result from the natural scientific development of the research and teaching staff. In connection with the development of scientific and research activities, the search for new and the development of current areas of cooperation with the industry, the introduction of new majors and specialisations, the university expects to increase the number of employees. It is planned to extend training opportunities for the employees in new techniques and technologies in Agricultural Engineering and Production Engineering at leading scientific centres, in the country and abroad, with particular emphasis on young academic staff. Additionally, it is planned to improve the qualifications of the employees through domestic and international internships, also in industrial institutions.

5. In the area of promotion of the Faculty of Production Engineering

The goal of the Faculty of Production Engineering is to actively promote its educational offer. A proper and competent presentation of the offer to high school students, i.e. potential candidates for the studies, should significantly increase the interest in the curriculum offered by the faculty and allow the candidates to make a more accurate choice of their further education. The educational offer of the faculty is presented during the university-wide, annual campaign called Open Day of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin and during various types of meetings with young people who take part in, e.g., subsequent editions and stages of competitions organised by the university. For many years, the employees of the Faculty of Production Engineering have been involved in organising and conducting various competitions, during which they present the educational opportunities of the faculty. Promotion of the faculty also involves presentations during subsequent editions of the Science Festival in Lublin. High school students are invited to special lectures and demonstrations, during which the educational offer of the faculty is presented. The university plans to develop cooperation with enterprises and business units by presenting them the results of scientific research and organising joint projects to improve the skills of the academic staff, students and graduates and to commercialise the results of the research.

The strategy of the Faculty of Production Engineering for the period from 2019 to 2030 is approved by the committee responsible for the organisation and development of the faculty.