Inauguration of the New Academic Year
For the 78th time The Silesian University of Technology inaugurated the academic year. The ceremony was attended by the University authorities, rectors and vice-rectors of friendly universities, scientists, students, MPs, the bishop of the Gliwice diocese and representatives of local authorities and industry.
The inauguration of the new academic year took place at the Educational and Congress Centre of the Silesian University of Technology. On behalf of the absent Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, the guests were welcomed by the Vice-Rector for Science and Development, prof. Marek Pawełczyk, who also read the inaugural speech on behalf of the Rector.
- The beginning of the new academic year is always a unique and significant event for our University, so thank you for your willingness to be with us at this important moment and celebrate the 78th inauguration of the academic year at the Silesian University of Technology. Unfortunately, due to my illness, I cannot participate in this year's celebration personally, the most important event of the academic year for the University community and friends of the Silesian University of Technology, which I regret with all my heart - wrote the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, prof. Arkadiusz Mężyk.
In his speech, the Rector recalled the relationship between the University and the Lviv University of Technology. - Traditionally, when we start the next academic year at the Silesian University of Technology, we refer to the roots of our University, which was created and developed by professors, as well as administrative staff and students of the pre-war Lviv Polytechnic. During last year's inauguration, we accepted Professor Jurij Bobalo - the current rector of this excellent University - to the group of honorary doctors of the Silesian University of Technology. At the time, none of us imagined that the issue of Polish-Ukrainian relations would be raised in the next year in the context of the support given to our eastern neighbour in the face of Russia's military attack. The spontaneous mobilization and great attitude of the academic community of our University, which helps Ukraine, deserve recognition and special thanks, - stressed the Rector.
The Rector pointed out that the starting academic year will be difficult for all Polish universities.
- Pandemic, war in Ukraine, difficult geopolitical situation, inflation, economic and energy crisis. Our society is facing new global challenges that relate to broadly understood civil security, health, climate threats and the economic crisis. Inflation is rising, the effects of which we feel particularly acutely. (...) Without a doubt, we will face many challenges and the uncertainty of tomorrow. All these problems are a matter of concern and the many months of talks between the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland and representatives of the government and Parliament of the Republic of Poland, which will be continued. On the threshold of the new academic year, I am asking the entire community of the Silesian University of Technology for understanding, mutual solidarity, support, help and kindness in this difficult time - appealed prof. Arkadiusz Mężyk.
In his inaugural speech, the Rector referred to the results of the evaluation of the quality of scientific activity.
- Polish universities, including ours, are waiting for the Ministry to consider appeals against those grades that we could not accept. For many universities, the results of evaluation mean the loss of part or all of the right to award academic degrees, and in extreme cases even the necessity to limit or even suspend the activities of doctoral schools in some disciplines. The Silesian University of Technology, despite a good overall result, noticing its own achievements, applied for reconsideration of the awarded grade in relation to 12 scientific disciplines - emphasized the Rector.
In addition to the University authorities, scientists and students, the inauguration ceremony of the academic year was attended by members of parliament, the bishop of the diocese of Gliwice, and representatives of local government and industry.
The letter of the Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship to the academic community was read by the councillor of the Sejmik, Zbigniew Przedpełski. - The inauguration of the academic year is a great celebration not only for those who are crossing the walls of the University for the first time today, but also for those who have been associated with the university for years - students continuing their education, management, research and teaching staff and administration employees. The educational offer of the Silesian University of Technology meets the expectations of young people and meets the needs of the labour market. The graduates of the University are highly qualified staff who in their further professional career contribute to the development of the most industrialized district in Poland, which is Silesia, and the entire country - emphasized Jakub Chełstowski, Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship in the letter.
During the ceremony, the President of Gliwice, Adam Neumann, also took the floor. - What can the mayor of Gliwice, the city where one of the largest and most important technical universities in Poland is located, wish at the beginning of the new academic year? You could say what you always say, so for the University to continue to develop dynamically, to remain among the best technical universities and among the best research universities in Poland, to still have an excellent teaching offer and successes in all kinds of scientific endeavours. It just so happens that for several years we have been dealing with challenges beyond our control that we have to face. This was mentioned in the Rector's speech. As the pandemic still exists among us, we must remember it, be extremely careful and follow all procedures. Another thing is the ongoing war beyond our eastern border. Here immediately big thanks to the Silesian University of Technology. The city of Gliwice together with the University, basically immediately after the outbreak of this conflict, began to provide assistance to Ukrainian refugees. The Rector's speech also mentioned the financial and energy crisis. These are challenges that must be met. I wish that all these matters, which we had not planned, would not disturb the work of the Silesian University of Technology, that the University would continue to perform wonderfully in its scientific and research-teaching tasks and that young people would continue to study here well. - said President Neumann.
The speeches of the guests were followed by matriculation of the representatives of the 1st year students, which was performed by the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education, prof. Wojciech Szkliniarz. This group included the best candidates selected in the recruitment process. After the oath taken by the new students, the Vice-Rector Szkliniarz read the names of the graduates of our University who were awarded the OMNIUM STUDIOSORUM OPTIMO medal by the Rector - the best among students. This medal, set by a resolution of the Senate of the Silesian University of Technology, is the highest distinction awarded to graduates of the Silesian University of Technology. It is awarded to graduates who stand out with special academic results and outstanding scientific achievements. This year, this medal was awarded to four graduates.
During the ceremony, Katarzyna Ptaszyńska, the president of the Student Government, welcomed her younger colleagues. - Today has a special dimension not only for you, but also for me, because I am honoured to welcome you to our University. Over the next few years it will become a part of your life and thanks to the people who create it, you will be able to find your place here easily. New experiences and acquaintances await you, and this is also where your career path begins. Remember, however, that studying is not just science. I would like to encourage you to get involved in the life of our University, so that you become not only full-fledged students, but also participants of initiatives and, above all, that you could one day proudly say that you are graduates of this university - said Katarzyna Ptaszyńska.
During this year's inauguration after the break caused by the pandemic, the Awards of the Social Council of the Silesian University of Technology were also presented. This year, the award in the "Best Employee" category was given to - prof. Marek Gzik for the initiatives undertaken to create the European Centre of Innovative Technologies for Health. In the "Best Student" category, the prize was awarded to the students of the Faculty of Applied Mathematics, who won numerous awards in national competitions - Grzegorz Koperwas and Kamil Kowalczyk.
The guest of honour at this year's inauguration was prof. Krzysztof Składowski - director of the Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Institute of Oncology in Gliwice. The professor gave an inaugural lecture entitled "Illusions and Myths About Cancer in the 21st Century." The inauguration ceremony ended with a concert performed by the Academic Music Group of the Silesian University of Technology.
The Silesian University of Technology is the oldest technical university in Upper Silesia and one of the largest in the country. In the last academic year, approx. 17 thousand students studied at the Silesian University of Technology, including 500 from abroad. This year, over 5.3 thousand students were admitted to study, of which 300 are foreign students, including 60 from Ukraine.
Więcej zdjęć z inauguracji na stronie: Politechnika Śląska | Inauguracja Nowego Roku Akademickiego 2022/2023 (polsl.pl)
