President of the Central Office of Measures Jacek Semaniak Has Passed Away
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Professor Jacek Semaniak, President of the Central Office of Measures (GUM).
Professor Jacek Semaniak was appointed President on November 9, 2020. Over his five years of management, he directed the Central Office of Measures toward research and development through legislative and organizational reform as well as numerous investments. During this time, he completed the construction and launch of the Świętokrzyski Laboratory Campus of the Central Office of Measures in Kielce. This investment opened a new chapter in the more than 100-year history of the Office.
It significantly strengthened GUM’s position on the international stage among national metrology institutes and scientific entities in Poland. The Office also developed its services digitally by implementing numerous projects: Świteź, eCzasPL, TRANS-TACHO, and CyberGum. Professor Jacek Semaniak supported transformation processes and the development of the regional administration under his management. As President, he oversaw the work of the Central Office of Measures, Regional Offices of Measures, and Regional Assay Offices.
Thanks to his efforts, the Minister of Education and Science established the Polish Metrology programme, which supported research and development activities of scientific institutions in the field of metrology in cooperation with the President of GUM. He chaired the Polish Metrological Union, which integrates 40 scientific institutions from across Poland in research and project collaboration.
Professor Jacek Semaniak was an academic educator and a professor of physical sciences. His scientific work focused on the study of collisions between free electrons and molecular ions under low-temperature plasma conditions, as well as the mechanisms of ionization and emission of characteristic X-ray radiation in ion-atom collisions. He authored a number of publications in the field of atomic and molecular physics, including articles published in Nature, Physical Review Letters, Physical Review, and The Astrophysical Journal.
Since 1988, he had been affiliated with Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce. He served as Vice-Rector for Teaching and Student Affairs (2008–2012), Vice-Rector for General Affairs (2012–2020), and Rector (2012–2020) of Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce. From 2020 to 2022, he was a member of the Science Policy Committee at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
We have lost a wonderful and warm person, distinguished by exceptional grace and personal culture. A patriot dedicated to national affairs. A lover and expert of history. A skilled manager and a caring supervisor. Always kind to every colleague and every person he met.