‘The University faces new challenges, so we must make it our priority to increase the quality and effectiveness of education, continued development of new facilities, increased internationalisation, and simplification of the administration system’, said Prof. Wojciech Nowak, JU Rector, in his opening speech marking the beginning of the 653rd academic year at the Jagiellonian University. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Science and Higher Education, Jarosław Gowin.
The celebrations started with a mass at the St. Anne’s Collegiate Church. After that, an academic procession marched from Collegium Maius, the oldest university building, to Auditorium Maximum, where the main part of the opening ceremony was held. On their way, the participants stopped to lay flowers beneath the Oak of Liberty.
‘Polish higher education institutions need deep, evolutionary changes’, said Jarosław Gowin. ‘We need to have an extensive and sincere discussion about the possible ways of improving the situation of both students and researchers. To that end, we will create an interdisciplinary committee of experts from many Polish universities, including the Jagiellonian University’.
During the most important part of the celebrations – the matriculation – Prof. Armen Edigarian, JU Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, congratulated new students on choosing the Jagiellonian University. ‘I hope that you, as well-educated young people, will help all of us achieve a better future for our country’, said. Prof. Edigarian.
The ceremony also featured presenting the JU Person of Merit award to Prof. Stanisław Majweski as well as the Jagiellonian Laurels to scholars who greatly contributed to the Jagiellonian University. This year, they were given to three distinguished researchers: Prof. Małgorzata Kossowska (Faculty of Philosophy), Prof. Barbara Sieklucka (Faculty of Chemistry), and Prof. Jacek Musiał (Faculty of Medicine). A silver Plus Ration Quam Vis was also awarded to Rita Pagacz-Moczarska, Editor-in-Chief of Alma Mater monthly.
