European parliament president awarded IChemE Honorary Fellowship

Jerzy Buzek, the president of the European parliament and former prime minister of Poland has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by IChemE today in recognition of his contribution to the process industries.

Buzek was presented with his fellowship certificate at a reception in Brussels, Belgium by IChemE past president and current president of the European Federation of Chemical Engineering (EFCE), Richard Darton.

Buzek graduated from the mechanics and energy division of the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice, Poland in 1963 before becoming a scientist in the chemical engineering institute of the Polish academy of sciences. Buzek is also an honorary doctor of the universities in Seoul, South Korea and Dortmund, Germany.

Buzek is the author of approximately 200 research papers and has lectured at the Technical Universities of Silesia and Opole, Poland.  Buzek was also a co-founder of the Polish-German science network for energy and environment protection and prior to that, he founded the consortium for atmosphere protection in Silesia.

Buzek was founder of the Polonia School of Diplomacy and between 2002 and 2004 he was vice-rector of Polonia University. Buzek served as prime minister of Poland from 1997 - 2001. Since 2004 he has been a member of the European Parliament, elected with the best result in Poland.  

Upon accepting the fellowship certificate, Buzek called for a better synergy between industry, academia and public authorities and stated that chemical engineers are leaders in the pursuit of solutions to major global challenges.  “Everything is connected to the basic possibilities and science of chemical engineering, I am convinced that solutions to the challenges facing Europe will be found through research and applied innovation,” said Buzek.

IChemE ceo David Brown said: "Professor Buzek has an outstanding record of service to his country and to Europe, while remaining at heart an engineer. I'd echo his call for more engineers and scientists to step forward into public life: society would be well served if they did so, as Jerzy Buzek has. It's great to have him as an Honorary Fellow of IChemE."

IChemE Honorary fellowships are reserved for distinguished individuals from the chemical and process industries that have made significant contributions to the field.  An Honorary Fellowship is the most senior award bestowed by the Institution.