Poland is a very significant market for the cosmetics industry. The industry described as relatively resistant to market turbulence. However, it is betting on the creation of a new course of action, based primarily on the personalization of products and their adaptation to the individual needs of the recipient's body, while caring for the environment during production.
Interview with Dr. n. pharm. Anna Rzepecka -Stojko, head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec at the Silesian Medical University
Where did the idea come from for the Silesian Medical University to create a cosmetic chemistry major? What can students who choose it expect ?
Cosmetic chemistry is a course of study, during which students will gain knowledge of, among other things, raw materials used in the production of cosmetics of both natural and synthetic origin, including the use of in vitro methods, as well as of formulation and quality control of cosmetics using modern analytical methods and specialized equipment. They will gain, which is extremely important, practical knowledge, as apprenticeships will be carried out in local plants producing cosmetics and household chemical products, which will enable them to gain competence in managing the various stages of the process of design and production of cosmetic preparations. In a word, the graduate will have theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the field of exploration, production, testing and modification of cosmetic products, with a good knowledge of their impact on the human body and the environment. He will be a person open to innovation, understanding existing economic and legal phenomena thanks to which he will be a sought-after, specialized and competitive personnel in the labor market. It is extremely important to create faculties, the graduation of which guarantees an interesting profession that is needed in the labor market.
The creation of the new major is an original concept developed by the staff of the SUM Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences....
Taking into account the forecasts and challenges facing the cosmetic sector in Poland, as well as taking into account analogous elements in the science and education sector in the development of the curriculum for the cosmetic chemistry major, we have taken into account key elements reflecting the cosmetics market in the country and in Europe. According to Cosmetics Europe, Poland is a very significant market for the cosmetics industry. The industry described as relatively resistant to market turbulence, but is now betting on creating a new course of action based mainly on the personalization of products, their adaptation to the individual needs of the recipient's body, while caring for the environment during production. The development of biotechnology, personalized medicine, "safe chemistry", modern technologies create great opportunities for the creation and use of components of cosmetics, drugs and their derivatives. The scientific and research facilities, the experience of the specialized staff of our Faculty, which has been educating pharmacists, medical analysts, biotechnologists and cosmetologists for many years, meets the expectations of the economic market - the possibility of personalizing the cosmetics industry by linking it with medicine, pharmacy and biotechnology, and access to new, improved and safe systems of synthesis, including biosynthesis, technologies, in these biotechnologies and nanotechnologies is part of the need to build an increase in social, ethical and environmental awareness.
It can be said that the goal of education in the new direction is to educate a market-competitive, modern workforce ?
Yes, with modern, broad knowledge. It is these specialists with knowledge of pharmacy, chemistry, technology, biotechnology and cosmetology that will be a sought-after, specialized and competitive personnel in the labor market. The interdisciplinary principles of the study program enable students to acquire the skills to carry out, but also to develop procedures related to the creation of various types of cosmetic products, including participation in research and development work in the search for new, innovative solutions that include, in addition to standard cosmetics, nutricosmetics and biocosmetics. With this knowledge and acquired skills in various areas of scientific disciplines, the graduate will be a person who can perform tasks specific to the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry, based on the latest developments in the field of technology, including biotechnology.
At the same time, the direction is part of Poland's long history of producing iconic cosmetics.
The history of the Polish cosmetics industry dates back to the 1920s. It was then that the first industrial-scale cosmetic companies such as Miraculum, Ewa, Celia and Uroda were established, producing color cosmetics, care cosmetics and fragrances for all the countries of the former Eastern Bloc and extremely popular. The experience and production infrastructure built up during this period later ensured the successful start of the cosmetics industry under the conditions of a free market economy, when the production plants were privatized and global cosmetics companies became their buyers.
As a result, today's cosmetics industry in Poland is an unparalleled European mix of global cosmetics concerns, large and medium-sized Polish companies, and several hundred small and micro-enterprises producing cosmetics. There are cosmetics manufacturing companies in the Silesian province with which the university cooperates scientifically or plans to cooperate. The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec of the Silesian Medical University in Katowice and the students of Cosmetic Chemistry educated there would be an intellectual base providing specialized personnel for these companies.
