October 1, 2012 marked the beginning of the 649th academic year at the Jagiellonian University.

Following a service in St. Anne's Church there was a procession of professors in university gowns. The procession, including JU students and staff, stopped near Collegium Novum (main university building) by the Oak of Liberty to lay a wreath under the commemorative plaque.

A few minutes past 11 the main hall in Auditorium Maximum was resounding with Gaude Mater Polonia, a medieval Polish anthem sung at every opening of the new academic year.

Among the guests attending the ceremony were: Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland, Jerzy Miller, Provincial Governor, Marek Sowa, Marshal of the Małopolskie Voivodeship, Prof. Jacek Majchrowski, Mayor of Kraków, Jarosław Gowin, Minister of Justice, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Minister of Labour and Social Politicy, Prof. Elżbieta Orłowska, State Secretary, Ministry of Science and Higher Education, rectors and deans from foreign universities, diplomats, members of the Polish Parliament, representatives of the army, police, church and students.

The ceremony was opened by Professor Karol Musioł who passed the JU historical insignia to the incoming rector, Prof. Wojciech Nowak.

In his speech, Prof. Wojciech Nowak stressed that the quality of education is of highest importance at the Jagiellonian University and that this tendency is reflected in the fact that five JU faculties (Law and Administration, Mathematics, Computer Studies and Public Health) have received quality grants from the Ministry of Science and Education. Prof. Wojciech Nowak also declared that his motto, as a rector, will be an extended "primo non nocere" principle – "first, do no harm, but also be helpful". He underlined that the university administration is responsible for offering assistance to researchers, academic teachers and students.

Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland, focused on the idea of autonomy, which is a principle governing not only the university life but also the social life. The autonomy of the institution, as the basic unit of the control of power, lies at the heart of the rule of law, separation of power and the idea of parliamentary system, all of which have contributed to the success of the European civilisation.

The annual university awards were presented during the ceremony. "Plus ratio quam vis" medal went to Prof. Karol Musioł, whereas JU Person of Merit Award was given to Stanisław Kłys. The Jagiellonian Laurels were given to Prof. dr hab. Elżbieta Muskat-Tabakowska (Faculty of Philology), Prof. dr hab. Grażyna Stochel (Faculty of Chemistry), Prof. dr hab. Romuald Aleksander Janik (Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science), Prof. dr hab. med. Marek Sanak (Faculty of Medicine).

The central and most important part of the opening ceremony was the matriculation. A delegation of first year students swore an oath on behalf of all their colleagues. After the singing of the university anthem, a speech was made by president of the JU Student Government, Dawid Kolenda. The last major part of the ceremony was the lecture delivered by Prof. Karol Musioł.

After the ceremony, Prof Wojciech Nowak invited all the participants to take a glass of university wine and drink a toast to the future of Alma Mater: QUOD FELIX, FAUSTUM, FORTUNATUMQUE SIT!