Professor Jan Szmidt, our Rector from 2012 to 2020, has passed away

With great sadness and regret, we announce the passing of Professor Jan Szmidt - an outstanding electronics engineer, an exceptional academic teacher, a distinguished organizer and innovator in Polish science, Rector of the Warsaw University of Technology from 2012 to 2020, and Chair of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland from 2016 to 2020.

Professor Jan Franciszek Szmidt was born on 3 December 1952 in Biłgoraj. In 1976, he graduated from the Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology at the Warsaw University of Technology, where he continued his entire academic and scientific career. He received his PhD in 1985 and his habilitation degree in 1995. In 2005, he was awarded the title of Professor of Technical Sciences. His research interests focused on microelectronics and thin-film technologies. He played a significant role in establishing the Polish scientific school in the development of plasma techniques for the fabrication of dielectric and semiconductor thin films. His work also covered the application of semiconductor materials (SiC and GaN) in high-temperature, high-power, and high-frequency devices. He led numerous research and development projects with strong application potential. He was the author of widely cited books and scientific articles, a co-author of patents, and an organizer and speaker at dozens of national and international scientific conferences. He generously shared his knowledge and experience with students and young researchers, supervising numerous diploma theses.

Professor Szmidt served as Vice-Dean for Development of the Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology from 2002 to 2005 and as Dean from 2008 to 2012. In 2012, he was elected Rector of the Warsaw University of Technology, a position he held for two consecutive terms until 2020. In 2016, he became Chair of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland, and in 2020 he was named its Honorary Chair.

Professor Szmidt received numerous awards for his scientific, developmental, educational, and organizational achievements. Among others, he was honoured with the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (2020), Crosses of Merit, the Medal of the National Education Commission, the ProJuvenes Award, the title of "Diamond Engineer" (2019), as well as ministerial and university awards. In 2017, he was awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa of the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.

We have lost a man of great passion, kindness, and openness. The Polish academic community has lost an outstanding scholar, and the Warsaw University of Technology has lost its professor, mentor, and friend. This is a great loss - one that will be deeply felt and difficult to fill.