Malgorzata Celuch

the art of problem solving was a major lesson that AC taught me, from my very first days.

Malgorzata Celuch graduated from UWC of the Atlantic in 1983. She was one of the founders of QuickWave software, which marked a breakthrough in design activities in the fields of radioastromony (including in NASA laboratories), telecommunications, electronics and microwave power processing.

Looking back at her time at Atlantic College, Malgorzata says “I thought I was ready for the international dimension – I had spent five years in the Soviet Union – but before I arrived I felt intimidated by the plethora of multicultural, multiracial, and multi-religious experiences awaiting me at the Atlantic College. It quickly became evident I didn’t need to be. The main feature that positively struck me at AC was that people talked. And talked openly. A typical AC student was not afraid to express his or her views, however controversial; and in return, there was a default social permission to challenge any views thus expressed. People would often fight fiercely –with words! –and build firm bridges of understanding as a result. This art of problem solving was a major lesson that AC taught me, from my very first days. ”

Malgorzata considers one of her main achievements launching QuickWave software onto the international market and setting up and managing QWED. QWED is the Polish high-tech company behind QuickWave which competes with the large western software companies on many projects and applications and has won various awards for its work. “QuickWave software, and the QWED company that the software gave origin to, are more like passions or children to me. We (I and three colleagues) developed the early versions of the software while we were all academics at the Institute of Radioelectronics (Warsaw University of Technology). The software was created outside of our working hours or university duties, and we personally maintained full Intellectual Property Rights. We set up QWED in 1997 to supervise further commercial developments of QuickWave.

As well as her work with QWED, Malgorzata is an Assistant Professor at Warsaw University of Technology, Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology. “I must admit that dividing my time between the university and QWED often looks like 'mission impossible'. However, this is what UWC prepares you for – steering towards and beyond horizons and orienteering in rocky terrains.”

Malgorzata has remained involved with UWC since graduating, first as a member and organiser of the Polish UWC Association, and then as member of the National Committee of Poland, involved in student selection, since the Committee was set up in 1991. "Although I need to go into low gear from time to time, I find it hard to refuse support when there is an extracurricular task to be performed or a worthwhile message to be promoted. This compulsion 'to give' is another trace of the UWC education.”

On her aspirations for the future, Malgorzata says“I want to develop new multiphysics models for the modelling of industrial microwave power processes and then incorporate them into QuickWave. This will increase its adequacy for new industrial markets, giving rise to new industrial technologies. I will also complete my habilitation degree and become full professor.”