DAY 1 – 20 October 2026
Young Scientist Day – Where Ideas Meet Innovation
Venue: aula 1.2.2.,
I floor,
Lecture and Conference Center of the Poznan University of Technology
Agenda
Young Scientist Day 2026 – More Than a Standalone Event
For the Young Scientist Day 2026 edition, we are moving beyond the concept of a separate programme block. This year’s format has been designed as a platform fostering collaboration between young researchers and experienced scientists.
Therefore, activities carried out within Young Scientist Day will be integrated throughout the entire CETEF 2026 ecosystem. Selected initiatives will also be incorporated into thematic conferences, creating opportunities for interaction between participants representing different fields of science, technology, and industry
The programme will include, among others, discussions between experts and young researchers in a professional podcast zone, presentations of innovative projects, a competition for student research clubs, and activities supporting the development of future-oriented skills.
11:00 Training: How to Stay (Cyber)Safe? [conducted in Polish]
Dr. Eng. Kamil Kuć – cybersecurity and social engineering expert, university lecturer, expert at the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre, and author of scientific publications.
During the session, participants will learn how to effectively protect themselves against modern digital threats and why people are most often the primary targets of cyberattacks. For more than a decade, the speaker has collaborated with public institutions, government administration, uniformed services, and critical infrastructure organizations, designing solutions that increase organizational resilience to social engineering attacks.
Participation in the training is free of charge; however, prior registration is required:
https://cetef.eu/rejestracja/formularz/
Certificates of participation will be provided to interested attendees.
14:00 Debate: Social Role of Young Scientists
Moderator: Edyta Mazur, PhD – W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków
Ara Tahmassian, PhD – Chief Research Compliance Officer at Harvard University,
Prof. Tomasz Smal, D.Sc., Eng. – Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals – Łukasiewicz Research Network
Michał Winczek – Chair of the Warsaw Doctoral Forum
The panel will address the question of why society needs scientists, presenting science not only as a source of innovation but, above all, as a foundation of reliable knowledge that helps us understand and solve complex social, technological, and environmental challenges. The central theme of the discussion will be the tension between expectations for fast, practical research outcomes and the long-term nature of scientific inquiry, in the context of challenges related to research funding, the role of artificial intelligence, and the growing need to build trust and foster effective communication between science and society.
Organizer
Work&Science Foundation is an organization operating at the intersection of science, innovation, education, and the economy. Its mission is to build long-term relationships between the academic community and the socio-economic environment. The Foundation supports the development of students, doctoral candidates, young researchers, and academic initiatives by promoting a practical approach to science, entrepreneurship, knowledge transfer, and the implementation of research outcomes.
Its activities include conferences and scientific events, training and mentoring programs, initiatives supporting student research clubs, science communication projects, and the “Science from the Inside” podcast (“Nauka od kuchni”), featuring researchers, innovation leaders, and representatives of industry.
An important area of the Foundation’s work is its expert and analytical activity related to higher education, the labour market, and science–industry cooperation. The Foundation co-authored two editions of the “Leaders of Polish Higher Education” ranking prepared for the national newspaper Rzeczpospolita, assessing universities through the employment outcomes and labour market performance of their graduates.
The Foundation actively collaborates with universities, student organizations, research institutes, startups, technology partners, and industry representatives, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, partnership building, and the development of projects with implementation potential.
Young Scientist Day, organized as part of the Central European Technology Forum (CETEF), is a natural extension of this mission. The event brings together young researchers with representatives of industry, public institutions, startups, and technology leaders, creating a platform for discussions on innovation, research commercialization, competency development, and the future of science–industry cooperation.
Description
For the Young Scientist Day 2026 edition, we are moving beyond the concept of a separate programme block. This year’s format has been designed as a platform fostering collaboration between young researchers and experienced scientists.
Therefore, activities carried out within Young Scientist Day will be integrated throughout the entire CETEF 2026 ecosystem. Selected initiatives will also be incorporated into thematic conferences, creating opportunities for interaction between participants representing different fields of science, technology, and industry.
The programme will include, among others, discussions between experts and young researchers in a professional podcast zone, presentations of innovative projects, a competition for student research clubs, and activities supporting the development of future-oriented skills.
Content Partner
Partners
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