The new laboratory and teaching section of the Faculty of Chemistry, marking the most important stage of the largest investment in the university’s history, has been officially opened. During the ceremony, the Rector of Lodz University of Technology, Prof. Krzysztof Jóźwik, proudly recalled how the daring plan from 2021 had transformed into an impressive reality. We feel like modern alchemists today—we do not turn lead into gold, but we do turn passion into knowledge, and knowledge into innovation, he said.
The realization of such an ambitious project would not have been possible without significant financial support, above all from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, which provided the necessary funds to see it through.
Guests, Guests, Guests…
On that day, the auditorium, corridors, and patio were filled with a great many guests. Representatives of state and local government authorities, guests from the worlds of science and business, honorary doctors, representatives of universities from all over the country, partners of the anniversary, and prize donors were present. Students, doctoral candidates, and staff of the Lodz University of Technology were also in attendance. The turnout on a Saturday morning was proof of how important this event was for the entire academic community.
From Plan to Reality
When the first part of the complex—the modern conference section with its representative auditorium—was ceremoniously opened on September 17, 2021, the building we see today was just a virtual spot on the campus map. Now, almost exactly on the 80th anniversary of the university’s founding, Alchemium is revealed in all its glory.
The symbolic ribbon-cutting, with the participation of Lodz Voivode Dorota Ryl, Marshal of the Lodz Voivodeship Joanna Skrzydlewska, Vice President of Lodz Adam Pustelnik, President of ALSALU Jarosław Szczupak, and Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry, Prof. Małgorzata Iwona Szynkowska-Jóźwik, was not only a formal act but also a deeply emotional one.
Alchemium is not only an architectural gem—designed by Krystyna Lachman-Pabich and Prof. Marek Pabich—but above all, a space for research, education, and creative collaboration. The modern laboratories—126 of them with 1,770 workstations—ergonomic teaching rooms, teamwork zones, and integration spaces were all designed with engineers in mind, engineers who will change the world. After all, chemistry is everywhere—it influences many areas of our lives.
Honoring the Patron of the Jubilee
The past was also remembered. The ceremony was an opportunity to recall the figure of Prof. Alicja Dorabialska—the first dean of Lodz University of Technology, a woman of extraordinary courage and determination, whose renewed commemorative plaque was ceremoniously unveiled in the new building. She was a woman who not only excelled in chemistry but also knew how to turn difficult times into growth and inspiration,” the Rector recalled.
A Space that Inspires
As Jarosław Szczupak, President of Alstal Grupa Budowlana—the general contractor of the investment—emphasized, the success of the project was possible thanks to close cooperation between the university, designers, and contractors. This is an exceptional undertaking—both technologically and architecturally. We are proud to have been a part of it, he added. The investment was carried out with attention to the highest standards—energy efficiency, safety, and user comfort.
During the tour, guests could peek into selected laboratories, and those “lucky” enough who drew a symbolic chocolate bar featuring the image of Alchemium were the first to see a fragment of this modern space. However, the true scale of the project was revealed only in a specially prepared clip showcasing the grandeur of the investment.
Alchemium is not just a place—it is a symbol. Thanks to this investment, we will be able to turn passion into knowledge, and knowledge—into innovations that will serve the future, said Rector Prof. Jóźwik. This building is not just walls and installations—it is a space where science meets inspiration. And although you will not find the elixir of immortality here, I assure you that magic will be present—the magic of chemistry, research, and discoveries that are yet to come.
Acknowledgments
The ceremony was also an opportunity to express gratitude—to those who have worked on the project for years: former Rector Prof. Sławomir Wiak, Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry Prof. Małgorzata Iwona Szynkowska-Jóźwik, Chancellor Włodzimierz Fisiak, project coordinator Witold Nykiel, and the entire team responsible for the implementation of this investment.