The patron of the University is Ignacy Łukasiewicz (1822-1882) - an outstanding Polish pharmacist and entrepreneur, pioneer of the oil industry in Europe, chemist and physicist, independence activist. He invented the world's first paraffin lamp, a replica of which has become a symbol of the university. In its activities, Rzeszów University of Technology nurtures and implements the humanistic values proclaimed and realised by Ignacy Łukasiewicz. By adopting him as its patron, the university referred to the tradition of mining and oil industry.