The Programme Committee is pleased to introduce to you the honourable speakers of the Conference:

Prof. Jerzy Buzek
FP7 Rapporteur, European Parliament

Jerzy Buzek, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland (1997-2001), graduated from Silesian University of Technology with a degree in chemical engineering. A professor at the Silesian and Opole Universities of Technology; honorary doctor at the universities of Dortmund and Soeul. Currently the vice-rector responsible for science at the Polonia Academy in Czestochowa. A member of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the representative of Poland at the International Energy Agency. A co-founder of INCREASE - an international network of scientific institutes. In 2002, Prof. Buzek founded the Institute of Civic Society and the Polonia School of Diplomacy in Częstochowa. In 1998 he and his wife founded the Foundation for Family. The main areas of his interest include: foreign affairs and freedom, civic rights, economic and monetary policy.

Dr Olaf Gajl
Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Science and Higher Education

Olaf Gajl graduated from Lodz Institute of Technology – faculty of land building and Lodz University – faculty of mathematics, physics and chemistry. At Lodz Institute of Technology Dr. Gajl carried on research concerning employment of mathematical shaping methods and computer methods in engineering sciences. He researched computer mechanics and problems of artificial intelligence’s application in the Institute of Basic Technical Problems of the Polish Academy of Sciences. From 1990 onwards president of board and director for development problems in a number of institutions engaged in accustoming innovation and computer solutions as well as new technologies concerning the employment of internet. The main responsibilities of Undersecretary Olaf Gajl embrace preparation of projects concerning the state’s innovation policy, preparation of the national framework program’s part concerning research on behalf of economic development, programs and enterprises defined by the Minister concerning economic development, development of the information infrastructure, development of informatics science and university education, examination of applications for financing development and intentional projects, as well as ordered projects of application character and the essential appraisal of assumed bringing these projects into effect.

Dr Tomasz Gerszberg
Head of Network Economy and Quality Assurance Department, PTC ERA, Poland

Dr Tomasz Gerszberg works in the mobile industry since its inception in Poland in 1996. Currently he is Head of Network Economy & Quality Assurance Department at Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa Sp. z o. o. He is responsible i.a. for the research activities of PTC and its' co-operation with the Universities. Tomasz Gerszberg is a Steering Board Member of the European eMobility platform.

Mr Krzysztof Gulda
Deputy Director, Ministry of Economy, Poland

Krzysztof Gulda, MSc in Nuclear Physics, with a Diploma of a Postgraduate Study in Intellectual Property at Warsaw University. For 5 years project manager in the University Technology Transfer Centre of Warsaw University, responsible for management of business – academia relations and promotion of academic entrepreneurship. Since mid 2003, Director of Innovation Department in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Labour, Poland. Currently Deputy Director of the Economic Development Department in the Ministry of Economy, responsible for strategy and programming for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Graduate of the Warsaw University of Technology. Head of technical departments of ITI Poland (1988-1993); head of the Polish Chamber of Economics and IT (1993-1994); member of the board of the Polish Chamber of Economy (1993-1997); Chairman of the Board of the Polish Agency for Entrepreneurship Development (1993-1997); deputy for PHARE programme, support for SMEs development (1993-1997); genera director of the Polish Agency for Foreign Investment (1994-1997); President of the Centre for Innovation FIRE - responsible for implementation of innovative projects (2004-2005). In November 2005, appointed for the post of the Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Economy.

Dr Kurt Kiethe
Attorney-at-law, Kiethe Rechtsanwaelte, Munich-Berlin-Brussels

Dr. Kurt Kiethe, studied law and business administration in Munich and obtained the doctor´s degree in 1970 there. He was admitted as attorney-at-law in 1971 and practiced as a lawyer in a highly acclaimed law firm. In 1975 he founded a law firm with his partner Freiherr von Pfetten. The law firm has offices in Munich, Berlin and Brussels and is focused on business, commercial, corporate and European law. Dr. Kiethe is chairman or member of the supervisory board of renowned German stock companies. He is the author of numerous legal publications in the field of commercial law.

Prof. Michał Kleiber
Advisor to the President of the Republic of Poland

Member of Polish Academy of Sciences – expert in application of modern computer technologies in scientific research, technology and medicine, involved with development-oriented state policy, in particular the strategy of development of education, science and innovation, the economy, use of information technology in administration and international co-operation. In 1995 Mr Kleiber became director of Institute of Fundamental Technological Problems of the Polish Academy of Sciences, where he has been heading the Computer Methods Chair. Professor Kleiber is an author or co-author of over 220 scientific works and 7 books published by internationally renowned publishing houses. He sits on editorial boards of several international scientific magazines and is an editor-in-chief of one of the world’s most renowned computer modelling and simulation magazines. In the years 1998 – 2001 Prof. Kleiber represented Poland in the Board of Governors of the EU Research Centre and was the Polish delegate to the “Sustainable Growth” Steering Committee in V framework Programme of the EU. In the years 2001 – 2005 he was Minister of Science and Information Technology and the Chairman of the Scientific Research Committee. In 2005 he was elected member of the European Research Council and chairman of the European Materials Forum. He is a member of the Programming Council of the Polish Lisbon Strategy Forum.

Mr Konrad Kobylecki
Member of the Board, Telekomunikacja Polska, Poland

Chief Technology Officer and Board Member in charge of Technology at Telekomunikacja Polska. Prior to assuming this position, he was Director of IT Division at PTK Centertel. He was responsible for strategy, governance and application of information technologies in the company. Previously, Konrad Kobylecki performed managerial functions at European Cooperation Bank and Agrobank S.A, among others. He also served as a software engineer at National Cash Register in Madrid. A graduate of Warsaw University of Technology, Faculty of Electronics. Acquired additional knowledge at Northwestern University in Chicago, St. Gallen Institute and Harvard Business School of Boston.

Dr Tivadar Lippényi
Vice Director of the National Office for Research and Technology, Hungary

Tivadar Lippényi graduated in 1973 from the faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Budapest and in 1986 received a PhD degree. He has been involved in research activities at the Central Research Institute for Physics. He has worked for Tungsram on different positions on laser development and production. Dr Tivadar held many high-level posts in public and private organisations. Between 2002 and 2004, he was Chief Advisor of the Hungarian Prime Minister’s Office and the head of the Innovation Department. Since February 2004, Mr. Lippenyi has been the vice president of the National Office for Research and Technology.

Prof. Jozef Lubacz
Warsaw University of Technology, Poland

Józef Lubacz is the professor at Warsaw University of Technology, Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology. Head of the Division of Teleinformatics (1987-2002). Dean of the Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology (2002 - 2005). Head of the Centre for Information Society, Institute of Contemporary Civilization (since 1996). Polish representative to the Technical Committee for Telecommunications, Information Science and Technology - TIST, European Cooperation in Science and Technology – COST (1992 -2006). Head of the Education Committee, General Council for Higher Education (since 2006).

Dr Jacek Nieweglowski
Chief Strategy Officer, Member of the Board, P4, Poland

Jacek Nieweglowski holds MSc and Doctoral degrees from Tampere University of Technology as well as MBA degree from London Business School. He has over 13 years experience in telecom industry. As a manager within Nokia Oy in Finland he led research and development projects in the area of mobile multimedia services as well as represented Nokia in various international standardisation bodies. After moving to Poland he worked for Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa as Director responsible for network development and held executive positions in the companies of Elektrim Telekomunikacja group. In December 2005 Mr. Nieweglowski was appointed to a position of a Chief Strategy Officer and Board Member of P4. Jacek Nieweglowski is a co-author of over 20 scientific publications and number of patents related to multimedia technology.

Dr Stephan Pascall
Adviser to the Director of the DG Information Society, Directorate G, European Commission

Stephan Pascall obtained a BSc (Hons) in Electronic Engineering at the City University London and a PhD in artificial intelligence. A manager with extensive engineering and policy background and over 30 years’ experience with the telecommunications and space industries and the European Commission in telecommunications, space communications, advanced mobile services, trust and confidence, learning and culture, regional development, environment and transport. His experience in telecommunications and space covers policy, regulation and technology as well as the development and management of all aspects of EU technology and implementation programmes. He has an extensive understanding of the political and technological developments and status of the Central and Eastern European Countries. He has played an active role in sensitive high level international negotiations both with the EU member states and with the various public and industrial organisations. He has extensive financial and management experience in leading skilled professional teams in achieving complex and challenging objectives with concrete results. Stephan is a recognised authority in Space Communications and an author of a number of books and publications in this and other subjects.

Mr Georgi Prangov
Senior Expert, State Agency for Information Technology and Communications, Bulgaria

Georgi hold degrees in finance and economics of telecommunication. For 4 years now he has been working for the State Agency for Information Technology and Communications - currently as the Senior Expert.

Mr Jakub Sagan,
Chairman of the Board, Alcatel, Poland

Jakub Sagan, 40, was appointed in January 2003 as Country Senior Officer of Alcatel Poland, taking over a responsibility for all activities in this country. He joined Alcatel since April 1995 establishing and managing legal department as well assisting during companies’ merges, acquisitions and other transactions which leaded to rise of Alcatel Poland. Since he started his career in 1990, previously he held various positions at the courts and Deloitte & Touche. He is a graduate of Marie Skłodowska - Curie University of Lublin with Master of Law degree.

Mr Stanko Salamon
Eurocon, Slovenia

Mr. Šalamon was born in 1961 and is an economist by profession. Currently he is employed as director of Eurocon d.o.o., a company working on European projects and integration. Since June 2006 he has been performing the function of executive manager of the ICT Technology Network.
Since 2003 Mr. Šalamon has been actively involved in the integration processes of the industrial and research sector in Slovenia. He co-operated in the establishment and development of the ICT Technology Network, Centre of Excellence for ICT, STDT (serigraph, tampa, digital printing) cluster and the electronic ticketing cluster. He is responsible for the preparation of applications, consortia building and project management assistance to projects with which Eurocon d.o.o. applies to open tenders for EU funds on behalf of the partners with which it integrates.

Prof. Carlos Salema
Instituto de Telecomunicações, Portugal

Carlos Salema graduated in Electrical Engineering in 1965 from Instituto Superior Tecnico (IST), Universidade Tecnica de Lisboa, with the highest marks awarded in that year. In 1972 he received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering, from the University of London (Queen Mary College). Then he started teaching, at Instituto Superior Tecnico, as an assistant lecturer and finally became full professor in 1979. Since 1974 he has taught Telecommunication Systems both at graduate and postgraduate level. From 1966 and until 1986 he acted as a part-time consulting engineer in the fields of Computers and Telecommunications. Firstly as Chairman of the Board of Directors at the IST Computer Centre (1983–85), and later as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Foundation for Scientific Computing (1986–89), he was responsible for major improvements in the computer facilities in many Portuguese universities and for the initial deployment of the Portuguese scientific data network. From 1989 and until 1992 he was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Portuguese National Science and Technology Research Council. As the Chairman of the Board of Directors of JNICT he was in charge of the the team that designed, negotiated and run the CIENCIA programme between 1990 and 1992. CIENCIA was a major effort, supported by the Community Structural Funds, to improve scientific infrastructures and advanced training, in Portugal. Initial programme budget was close to 500 Million US dollars. The same team was also responsible to design, negotiate and run the STRIDE-PORTUGAL programme (100 Million US dollars for the period 1991-1994). Since 1993 he has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of “Instituto de Telecomunicacoes” a private not for profit R&D organisation which resulted from the association of two faculties of engineering, one university and the research and development centre of the main Portuguese telecom operator.

Dr Andrzej Siemaszko
Coordinator, National Contact Point, Poland

Dr Andrzej Siemaszko, currently Head of the National Contact Point. Between 1991 and 1994 worked at Brite/Euram project at Instituto Superior Tecnico in Lisbon, Portugal. Since then, Dr Siemaszko has successfully participated in over 30 European projects. He is an expert in the field of scientific policy, European research and technological development. Dr Siemaszko actively participates in programming and implementation of the structural funds in Poland. Since 2003, he hosts the post of the advisor to the Minister of Science and Higher Education. He has initiated the movement of the Polish Technology Platforms (26) and is currently the General Secretary of the Platform's Coordinating Committee.

Mr Wilhelm Stueckemann
President of MOST Foundation;
Director of Network Operations, Member of the Board, PTC ERA, Poland

Wilhelm Stückemann is Director of Network Operations and was appointed to the Management Board in 1996. Wilhelm Stückemann has held a variety of positions with T-Mobile, mainly in the development of GSM businesses, and established the team of engineers responsible for the D-1 network in Germany. Wilhelm Stückemann holds a degree in electrical engineering from Bielefeld, Germany.

Dr Fiona Williams
Chairperson, eMobility

Dr. Fiona Williams was elected Chairperson of the eMobility Technology Platform in February, 2006. She is a Research Director of Ericsson, responsible for research laboratories working on network and applications research in Germany and the Intellectual Property Rights Unit with international responsibility. She was a founder of the Wireless World Research Forum and is Treasurer of the organization. She initiated the Wireless World Initiative in the 6th Framework Programme. Dr. Williams has been based in Ericsson in Germany since moving there in 1991. She moved to Germany from Ireland where she was responsible for the start-up and operations of an Ericsson-Eircom joint venture company focused on telecommunications research.

Dr Piotr Zuber
Head of the Department of the Structural Policy Coordination, the Ministry of Regional Development, Poland

Dr Zuber graduated from the University of Warsaw, faculty of Geography and Regional Studies. He obtained a PhD degree at the Warsaw School of Economics. He is responsible for coordination of the structural policy at the Ministry of Regional Development, and specifically for the forthcoming perspective 2007-2013. He has been involved into strategic planning projects on regional policies. Author of articles and papers on regional policy in Poland, SMEs and regions as well as cohesion policy.