Silesian University of Technology at the Inter-University Inauguration of the Academic Year 2026/2027
On the 30th of September, the Inter-University Inauguration of the Academic Year 2026/2027 took place in the concert hall of the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice. The Silesian University of Technology actively participated in the ceremony, which for the fifth time jointly opened the academic year of Silesian universities.
The Inter-University Inauguration of the Academic Year is a joint celebration of the universities forming the Academic Consortium Katowice - City of Science This year, the event was accompanied by the Science Town in the Katowice market square, where Silesian universities presented their offers. During the event there were workshops, presentations, and performances by academic artistic groups.
The official celebrations of the Inter-University Inauguration of the Academic Year traditionally began with a ceremonial march of the Rector's processions through the streets of Katowice. The Silesian University of Technology, as a member of the Academic Consortium Katowice – City of Science, was represented by the University authorities and the academic community.
The Inter-University Inauguration of the Academic Year brings together, in addition to university representatives, officials who expressed their best wishes for the new academic year in person or by letter. During the ceremony, a letter from the President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, was read. The speakers included Jerzy Woźniak, Deputy Head of the Chancellery of the Sejm, who represented the Marshal of the Sejm Waldemar Czarzasty, Marcin Kulasek, Minister of Science and Higher Education; Marta Cienkowska, Minister of Culture and National Heritage; Waldemar Żurek, Minister of Justice; Konrad Gołota, Deputy Minister of State Assets; Marek Wójcik, Silesian Voivode and Prof. Dr Hab. Bogumiła Kaniewska, Chairwoman of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland (CRASP).
During the event, the "Meritorious for Silesian Science" award was presented. This year's laureates were the Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship Wojciech Saługa, Member of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Monika Rosa, and Senator of the Republic of Poland Halina Bieda.
An important point of the ceremony was the matriculation and the related solemn academic oath of newly admitted students and doctoral students. This year, on behalf of students and doctoral students of all Silesian universities belonging to the Academic Consortium, representatives of the Silesian University of Technology took the oath.
On behalf of the students, the following best candidates in the recruitment process to the Silesian University of Technology took the oath: Szymon Machnik, Magdalena Mikoś, Dominika Zdebel, Paulina Mroczek, and Zuzanna Przybysz. On behalf of the doctoral students, the ceremonial oath was taken by M.Sc. Eng. Maria Filipek and M.Sc. Eng. Gabriel Malanowski.
The ceremonial act of matriculation was conducted by His Magnificence Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk, who, together with representatives of other universities, participated in the symbolic opening of the new academic year.
- Participation in all joint celebrations - these are beautiful gestures that should be continued. I am glad that the cooperation between Silesian universities is something more and this year we are starting another joint initiative – the Silesian Bridge Programme – said the Rector. – We are developing one another’s educational offer and are participating in joint research projects,
which is a good direction for the development of this community of Silesian universities and ensures that students stay in the region – he added.
The joint opening of the academic year was an opportunity to emphasize the importance of cooperation between Silesian universities and building a strong and integrated academic environment in the region. The program included, among others, an inaugural lecture devoted to the post-industrial heritage of Upper Silesia, which was delivered on behalf of Prof. Ewa Chojecka by the Director of the Silesian Museum, Dr Łukasz Galusek. The ceremony concluded with a concert by the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra.
An important accent of the presence of the Silesian University of Technology was also the musical setting of the event. Among the combined academic choirs, the Academic Choir of the Silesian University of Technology performed, co-creating the artistic setting of the ceremony.
fot. Maciej Mutwil
