Inauguration of the New Academic Year
Gaudeamus Igitur was performed for the 79th time at the Silesian University of Technology. The ceremony was attended by university authorities, students, scientists and invited guests - rectors of partner universities, local government authorities, members of parliament, representatives of research and development units, enterprises, local government institutions, educational and cultural institutions.
The people gathered at the Educational and Congress Centre were welcomed by the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Arkadiusz Mężyk.
– We are starting the next, 79th academic year at the Silesian University of Technology and the last year of the current term in office. The beginning of the year is a time to summarize the achievements to date and formulate plans regarding the University's scientific, research and teaching activities, cooperation with the environment, as well as the implementation of tasks resulting from the social responsibility of science.
The coming year will also be full of numerous electoral procedures, including the next elections to the Sejm and Senate. The Conference of Rectors of Polish Academic Schools supported the appeal of the Central Council of Science and Higher Education to participate and vote in these elections. It's important for our country and higher education to vote by expressing your opinion. Let's not leave decisions about our future in the hands of others, said the rector.
Prof. Mężyk emphasized that the upcoming year will bring many challenges and development prospects for the academic community. – The problems we will face are the rising costs of university operations, the decreasing standard of living of the community and the falling attractiveness of an academic career resulting from the flattening of the salary structure at universities. Meanwhile, according to the report of the Conference of Rectors of Universities of Economics, each zloty invested in research gives approximately PLN 8-13 in GDP (Gross Domestic Product) - said the rector.
His Magnificence also referred to the changes taking place at our university. – We are effectively changing the scientific profile and education at the Silesian University of Technology, while not forgetting about modern education in traditional fields of study. By cooperating with foreign universities and academic universities in the region, we actively contribute to the green transformation of Upper Silesia and the implementation of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. We direct our activity towards projects aimed at improving the quality of life of the region's inhabitants, hence the participation of the Silesian University of Technology in the creation and implementation of the Silesian Voivodeship Development Strategy "Śląskie 2020+" and undertaking initiatives and scientific and didactic activities in this area. Today, the Silesian University of Technology is one of the 10 universities winners of the Excellence Initiative - Research University program and one of the 7 member universities of the Academic Consortium Katowice - City of Science. We are an academic centre that systematically builds its recognition on the international arena, implementing, together with partners, the concept of the "University without walls" proposed by the European University Association - said the rector.
One of the main strategic goals of the Silesian University of Technology is to increase internationalization. The university implements them, among others: through participation in the IDUB program and the consortium of European universities - European University EURECA-PRO. – These are initiatives of the greatest importance for the development of the Silesian University of Technology. Thanks to them, the number of students, PhD students and research workers from abroad is systematically growing. In 2016, 72 foreigners studied with us on a full-cycle basis; in 2020 it was already 375 people, and in 2022 - 486 full-time and 269 foreigners as part of academic exchange. The number of doctoral students and scientists from outside Poland is increasing - last year there were 132 doctoral students and 40 academic teachers - said the rector.
Professor Mężyk also emphasized that the soon ending term of office is considered by many to be the most difficult. – There have not been so many global threats at the same time for several decades. The pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the energy and economic crisis, inflation and the deterioration of the financial situation cause many psychological problems, the disruption of social ties and the loss of a sense of community, as well as the loss of faith in authorities.
The Rector emphasized that this is why an academic university should strengthen the sense of meaning of life and security through the popularization of science, active involvement in the processes of strengthening social bonds, integration of the academic community and greater involvement of community members in activities aimed at increasing security as a common good and, finally, through good education. – Our employees, doctoral students and students are committed to fulfilling the University's social responsibility mission, influencing the environment also in difficult and crisis situations – he noted.
After the rector's inaugural speech, the Silesian Voivode Jarosław Wieczorek spoke and read the letter from Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. – The beginning of the academic year is a special moment in the life of the entire academic community. This is the time to implement newly outlined plans and make the effort to start the next stage of learning. Thanking you for the invitation, on this special day I would like to express my highest appreciation and assurance of my heartfelt memory to all those present at the inauguration - wrote the Prime Minister.
Prof. Marek Gzik, chairman of the Silesian Voivodeship Assembly spoke on behalf of the local government of the Silesian Voivodeship – We are in the process of a deep economic transformation of our region. The Silesian University of Technology has a very important, if not the most important, role to play here. We are a breeding ground for engineering staff as well as a research base for companies that develop their products and have ambitions to compete in the country and on international markets - said Prof. Gzik.
After the speeches, the most important part of the inauguration began, i.e., the matriculation of first-year students, conducted by the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Prof. Wojciech Szkliniarz. – Today's inauguration ceremony of the academic year is of particular importance for first-year students who start their studies at our University. Dear students - by the act of matriculation, you have been symbolically accepted into the academic community. I would like to wish you success in passing further tests and exams, good luck in acquiring knowledge, taking advantage of all opportunities to develop your personality and satisfaction from participating in the student life of our University - said Prof. Szkliniarz.
During the ceremony, OMNIUM STUDIOSORUM OPTIMO Medals (To the best graduates) were awarded. 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 with exceptional academic performance and outstanding scientific achievements. This year, three graduates received this medal.
Katarzyna Ptaszyńska, president of the student government, also welcomed her younger colleagues - For many of you, choosing a university is the first important decision in your adult life, which triggers a chain of subsequent ones. Believe me, each of us has been in this place and even if everything seems strange now, sooner than you imagine, this place will become your home, and these new people will become your acquaintances and friends for many, many years in the future – said Ptaszyńska.
– The inauguration always means the beginning of something new. In your case, it is a start in which the distance to be covered is long and intense, accompanied by moments of doubt and analysis about the meaning of your own existence. But at the finish line there will be incredible satisfaction and pride in yourselves, and hopefully there will also be a feeling of insufficiency, but it will be a good start to initiate further research work and your own development, added Barbara Balon, chairwoman of The University Self-Government Council of the Doctoral Students.
The inauguration of the new academic year was also an opportunity to present awards to people who have made outstanding contributions to the Silesian University of Technology. Medal of the Silesian University of Technology, the Badge of Merit for the Silesian University of Technology, the Award of the Social Council of the Silesian University of Technology and the Medal of the Association of Alumni of the Silesian University of Technology entitled “Outstanding Graduate of the Silesian University of Technology" – were presented by prof. Janusz Kotowicz- Vice-Rector for Collaboration with Civic and Economic Environment
– The Medal of the Silesian University of Technology is the second most important honorary distinction awarded by our University, after the title of doctor honoris causa. I am very pleased to inform you that the Senate of the Silesian University of Technology awarded it to the cities of Gliwice, Katowice, Rybnik and Zabrze for working for the common good of the University and contributions to the development of civilization, as well as social good - said Prof. Kotowicz.
Additionally, as a thank you for many years of cooperation for the development of the common good, the Presidents and the cities where the Silesian University of Technology has its academic centres were awarded the Badge of Merit for the Silesian University of Technology.
The Award of the Social Council of the Silesian University of Technology was presented for the third time. This statuette honours outstanding employees and students. It was awarded to: dr hab. Eng Jarosław Brodny, prof. SUT, head of the Department of Production Engineering at the Faculty of Organization and Management, and Miłosz Gondek, a student of air navigation at the Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering, vice-champion of Poland in the Advanced class in glider acrobatics.
The "Outstanding Graduate of the Silesian University of Technology" award was granted by the Association of Alumni of the Silesian University of Technology. It was awarded to prof. Jerzy Buzek, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland, Member of the European Parliament and prof. Lesław Mleczko, who managed many international projects aimed at developing modern technologies.
– It's amazing to be back at your university after so many years. A university is not only a place of learning. This is also a wonderful time that shapes us. On behalf of all the awardees, I will say that we are very honoured and proud. In some sense, we always represent this university - said Prof. Jerzy Buzek.
Inaugural lecture entitled "Can a new Copernicus appear in our education system?”, was delivered by Professor Jacek Popiel, the rector of the Jagiellonian University and vice-chairman of the Conference of Rectors of Polish Academic Schools
- It is a great pleasure for me to be able to attend the inauguration of the academic year at the Silesian University of Technology. For me, the most important thing was to say what is my reflection on the current state of education, by confronting the reality from the times of Nicolaus Copernicus, the man who made not only our Krakow Academy famous, but also the entire world of Polish science. It seems to me that this is the moment when, after years of the pandemic, but still during the time of the ongoing war in Ukraine, we should think very thoroughly about the advantages and disadvantages of the current education system, both at the primary and secondary school level, as well as in higher education , I think that reflection is something that should be heard, especially when we begin a new academic year. Regardless of whether they are universities, polytechnics or art schools, this problem concerns all higher education and all education - said Prof. Jacek Popiel,
79th Inauguration of the Academic Year ended with a short performance by the Academic Music Ensemble of the Silesian University of Technology.
