On Saturday, 21 May 2025, during a ceremonial event organised by the Alioth Foundation, awards were presented for the 3rd edition of the competition recognising the best academic theses in the field of security and defence. The gathering brought together representatives of the academic community, defence experts, members of the media, and sponsors of the awards.
The ceremony was opened by General Włodzimierz Usarek, Chairman of the Board of the Alioth Foundation, who emphasised in his address the importance of promoting topics related to national security:
“Promoting Poland’s defence is not only an obligation, but also an expression of our belonging to a community that understands the significance of national security and readiness.”
This year’s edition attracted remarkable interest, as many as 57 theses were submitted from nearly every academic centre in Poland. The strategic partner of the event was XTB, a global fintech company supporting modern financial management solutions.
Competition Winners:
- 1st Place
Paweł Pietrasik for his thesis “The South China Sea: The significance of subregions in the context of potential conflict over access to energy resources and trade routes.”
The author analysed geopolitical tensions in the region, highlighting the roles of China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and the Republic of China in the competition for influence and resources.
- 2nd Place
Dominika Szeląg for her thesis “Administration of foreign trade in armaments in light of Poland’s international obligations.”
The Jury especially appreciated this work for its legal perspective and focus on non-proliferation policy, extending beyond the traditional military dimension of defence.
- 3rd Place
Grzegorz Słowik for his thesis “Analysis of the capability to identify selected vessels in imagery data using a chosen artificial intelligence algorithm.”
Supervised by Capt. Dr. Eng. Marcin Walkowiak of the Military University of Technology conducted research that examined the effectiveness of AI algorithms in recognising Russian surface vessels from satellite imagery.
All laureates received financial prizes as well as gifts sponsored by the Alioth Foundation and its partners. In their remarks, the winners emphasised that their theses were often the result of years of dedication and personal passion.
Following the official ceremony, participants had the opportunity for informal discussions and knowledge exchange during a networking session. The event concluded with a live-streamed debate, organised in cooperation with the defence portal Strefa Obrony. Distinguished experts included:
- Lt. Gen. (ret.) Jacek Pszczoła – former Inspector of the Polish Air Force
- Col. (ret.) Krystian Zięć – expert on F-16 integration
- Dr. Andrzej Grzyb, MP – Chairman of the Parliamentary National Defence Committee
- Brig. Gen. Krzysztof Stobiecki – Advisor to the Minister of National Defence for Air Force Affairs
The Alioth Foundation extends its gratitude to all participants, supervisors, guests, and partners for their collective engagement in building a platform for young specialists in the fields of security and defence.
