The Rector of the University of Silesia, Prof. Ryszard Koziołek, has signed an order establishing Gulf House – an interdisciplinary expert unit designed to connect science, business, and diplomacy in relations with Persian Gulf states.

Establishment of Gulf House

The new expert unit at the University of Silesia is to analyze the potential of the Persian Gulf region and support international cooperation.

Area of activity

The unit will focus on six countries: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.

Unit leadership

The head of Gulf House is Dr. Hab. Krzysztof Zamasz, Professor at the Silesian University of Technology and an experienced manager in the energy sector.

The University of Silesia in Katowice has established Gulf House, a new expert unit dedicated to analysis and cooperation with countries of the Persian Gulf. The university's rector, Prof. Ryszard Koziołek, signed the order establishing this interdisciplinary structure on March 11, 2026. The initiative is intended to serve as a platform connecting the worlds of science, business, and diplomacy, focusing on a region recognized as one of the key directions of global development. Persian Gulf has become a subject of interest for the Katowice university due to the dynamic civilizational transformations occurring in the monarchies there. The University of Silesia in Katowice was established on June 8, 1968, as the ninth institution of its kind in Poland. Since 2020, the function of rector has been held by Prof. Ryszard Koziołek, a literary scholar and historian of literature. The establishment of Gulf House aligns with the university's strategy of internationalization and building expert relations outside Europe.

Gulf House's activities will include cooperation with six countries of the region: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. The head of the unit is Dr. Hab. Krzysztof Zamasz, Professor at the Silesian University of Technology and WSB Academy, who has many years of managerial experience in the energy sector. The Rector of UŚ indicated that these countries are currently undergoing processes that make them some of the most significant vectors of development in the modern world. „Arabskie kraje Zatoki Perskiej są w tej chwili jednym z najpoważniejszych wektorów rozwoju świata. Chcemy się temu przyglądać” (The Arab countries of the Persian Gulf are currently one of the most significant vectors of world development. We want to observe this closely) — Ryszard Koziołek via Dziennik Zachodni

The concept of creating an analytical center focused on the Middle East originated even before the outbreak of full-scale war in Ukraine, which underscores the long-term planning nature of this initiative. Gulf House is to provide specialized knowledge essential for Polish businesses and diplomatic institutions operating in this region. Countries within Gulf House: 1. Arabia Saudyjska; 2. Zjednoczone Emiraty Arabskie; 3. Katar; 4. Kuwejt; 5. Bahrajn; 6. Oman

Mentioned People

  • Ryszard Koziołek — Polish literary scholar, historian of literature, professor of humanities, rector of the University of Silesia in Katowice since 2020
  • Krzysztof Zamasz — Polish manager, economist, professor at the Silesian University of Technology and WSB Academy in Dąbrowa Górnicza