The Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (STU) officially inaugurated the new 2026/2027 academic year on Monday, September 14, 2026. During the academic ceremony held in the Aurel Stodola Auditorium - attended by state officials, university representatives, local government authorities, the academic community, industrial partners, and matriculated first-year students of the STU Faculty of Mechanical Engineering - the university also conferred the honorary title of "doctor honoris causa" upon Professor Stanisław Legutko.
In his opening address, STU Rector Maximilián Strémy directed his remarks primarily toward the incoming first-year students. He reminded them that they are entering a community with a tradition spanning nearly 90 years, emphasizing that STU has educated 180,000 experts, designers, researchers, innovators, and managers. He urged them not to view their studies merely as a path to a diploma.
„The university offers you the opportunity to discover, question, experiment, collaborate with researchers, participate in international projects, or launch your own startup. It is also a place to meet people and forge lifelong friendships. Be curious. Ask questions. Try new things. And do not be afraid to make mistakes,” stated Rector Maximilián Strémy. Addressing the faculty and staff, he noted that STU currently operates in an environment changing more rapidly than ever before.
„This makes it all the more critical that we remain faithful to timeless values - quality education, cutting-edge research, academic freedom, and collaboration,” the Rector added.
Janka Zajacová, Chairwoman of the STU Academic Senate, noted in her address that the commencing academic year will be groundbreaking for Slovak higher education in many aspects. On September 1, a new Higher Education Act entered into force, introducing a range of reforms - spanning greater study flexibility, new options for degree completion, stronger ties with industrial practice, and the modernization of multiple university operational processes. In connection with the upcoming STU Academic Senate elections, she appealed for an active and responsible approach to nominations and voting to ensure the formation of an engaged and professionally competent senate. She wished the freshmen not only a quality education at STU, but also the courage to ask questions, test new ideas, and develop their talent.
„Do not be afraid to engage in the life of the faculty, student organizations, or academic governance. A well-functioning university is built not just by lecture halls and laboratories, but primarily by active people,” said Janka Zajacová.
Vladimír Slezák, Chairman of the STU Board of Directors, reminded the incoming students of the irreplaceable significance of technical education and engineers for society.
A milestone of the academic ceremony was the conferral of the honorary degree of doctor honoris causa upon Professor Stanisław Legutko, one of the most prominent figures in Polish engineering science.
„The title of doctor honoris causa from STU is not only an expression of the highest recognition for the outstanding scientific achievements of Professor Stanisław Legutko, but also a token of gratitude for years of fruitful and mutually inspiring collaboration with our university. I am convinced that Professor Legutko will be an excellent ambassador for the Slovak University of Technology worldwide,” stated Ľubomír Šooš, Dean of the STU Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, in his laudation.
„I would like to express my profound admiration and respect for this university and its staff, who for generations have shaped student minds, pushed the boundaries of knowledge, and significantly contributed to the development of Slovak society and economy. I have always admired your university's commitment to excellence, scientific freedom, and the education of future leaders capable of facing tomorrow's challenges. It is a true honor and privilege for me to become a part of the academic community of such an institution,” said Dr. h. c. Stanisław Legutko.
Prof. Dr. DSc. Eng. Stanisław Legutko has been continuously affiliated with the Poznan University of Technology since 1973. He obtained the title of Doctor of Technical Sciences in 1980, Doctor of Philosophy in 1995, and was awarded the title of Professor in 2004. More than five decades of research, teaching, and organizational activity have established him as an authority in mechanical engineering technology, machining, and equipment operation.
The Professor’s bibliography includes over 600 scientific publications - including three books on engineering technology and operations and three textbooks. The Web of Science platform indexes 167 of his publications, showing an h-index of 35 and over 3,700 citations; the Scopus database indexes 180 papers with an h-index of 36 and over 4,100 citations. According to the Stanford University rankings, he was included in the prestigious TOP 2% of the world's most-cited scientists for four consecutive years from 2021 to 2024.
Professor Legutko's primary research domains include: cutting tool technology and operation with a specific emphasis on adhesive wear, gear technology, machine maintenance, and manufacturing logistics. In recent years, his focus has shifted toward high-speed machining (HSC), ecological machining, additive manufacturing, and Industry 5.0.
The collaboration between Professor Stanisław Legutko and STU is multifaceted and spans many years. It encompasses joint research, co-authorship of publications, participation in international projects, and his role as a key reviewer and advisor for the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.
