Prof. Krzysztof Walkowiak, dean of the WUST Doctoral School  and a researcher from the Department of Computer Systems and Networks at our Faculty, has been appointed to the Steering Committee of the Council for Doctoral Education at the European University Association (EUA-CDE). The organisation manages the process of transformation and strengthening of doctoral education in Europe.

The EUA-CDE was established in 2008 in response to the growing interest in doctoral education in Europe. As an integral part of the European University Association (EUA), it is currently the largest European network in this area, bringing together 287 universities and institutions involved in issues related to doctoral education and researcher training across 39 countries.

Regular activities of EUA-CDE include organising an annual conference attended by over 300 participants. Additionally, it organises thematic partnership groups, an online Doctoral Debate forum, publishes a regular newsletter, and gathers and monitors information related to doctoral education. It also collaborates within European and global projects and maintains ongoing cooperation with many other European and international organisations.

Prof. Krzysztof Walkowiak is the first person from Poland to become a member of the EUA-CDE Steering Committee, and his term will last three years. During this time, he will be engaged in preparing and implementing the EUA-CDE action programme.

In close collaboration with the EUA-CDE Secretariat, members of the EUA-CDE Steering Committee advise on future actions and identify emerging trends and priorities in the field of doctoral education.

In the selection process, new members were expected, among other things, to present their own vision for the future of doctoral education in Europe and to participate in an interview with the Selection Committee appointed by the EUA.

– My primary focus was on the quality of support given to students by their supervisors and on the need to develop standards for its measurement – said Prof. Walkowiak. I also discussed the need to ensure the mental well-being of both doctoral students and supervisors as a component of key importance for a high-quality educational process. I highlighted the impact of artificial intelligence on the education process of doctoral students and on their scientific research – he added.

Prof. Krzysztof Walkowiak is a graduate of the former Faculty of Electronics at Wrocław University of Technology. He obtained further academic degrees in the field of computer science and the title of professor of technical sciences at the same faculty. Currently, he works at the Department of Computer Systems and Networks at our Faculty, and since 2020, he has been the dean of the Doctoral School at WUST.

He specialises in the optimisation of computer networks and in applications of artificial intelligence methods. He has published the results of his scientific research in over 340 works, including 80 articles in journals listed in the JCR.

He has supervised twelve completed doctoral processes. He was the manager and main contractor in 13 scientific projects funded by the European Union, the National Science Centre, and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, including 4 NSC OPUS projects. Between 2021 and 2023, he led the NAWA Ster InterDocSchool project for the internationalisation of the Doctoral School at WUST. He also leads the task of developing an education programme for the Unite! Doctoral School Since 2021, he has been a member of the Steering Committee of the Polish Association of Doctoral Schools.