The new academic year 2019/2020 at the University of Warsaw has just begun. This year, approximately 12 000 new students joined our academic community.

According to tradition, the rector and vice-rectors of the University of Warsaw, members of the Senate and representatives of other universities, all dressed in togas, met in front of the Kazimierzowski Palace, which houses the UW administration offices, and walked to the Auditorium Maximum building where the inauguration of the new academic year took place.

The ceremony started with the national anthem, and the European Union performed by the UW community members and guests, gathered in the Adam Mickiewicz hall. Next, Prof. Marcin Pałys, rector of UW welcomed everyone and gave an inauguration speech in which he focused on the involvement of the UW community in pursuing aims set 7 years ago. These include e.g. increase in the internationalization of University, broader collaboration with the environment, improvement of the conditions of education and work offered at the University, and reasonable Human Resources policy.

Rector enumerated strategic partners for the university on the international arena and at the national level. Our university is a member of the 4EU+ Alliance and cooperates with other comprehensive, research-intensive European universities: Charles University (Czech Republic), Heidelberg University (Germany), Sorbonne University (France), University of Copenhagen (Denmark), University of Milan (Italy). 4EU+ partner institutions want to create a new quality of cooperation in teaching, education, research, and administration. In June this year, 4EU+ was selected by the European Commission as a “European University.” More information >>

“Together with the 4EU+ Alliance universities, we have a shared vision of European higher education that is responsible for seeking solutions to global challenges, strengthening European identity & integration, and educating critical-thinking citizens,” said Prof. Marcin Pałys.

During the address, Prof. Pałys also stressed the importance of collaboration with the Medical University of Warsaw. On 16th October 2018, the rectors of both universities signed a letter of intent on the creation of the UW and MUW Federation. Close cooperation with the medical university will enable the University of Warsaw to dynamically develop the research in medical and health sciences which has been carried out in numerous units of the university for many years.

Implementation of cross-university projects and initiatives designed to make better use of UW’s potential was a significant element of the speech too. If it comes to this part, rector mentioned:

• the multi-annual development plan ”The University of Warsaw 2016-2025” – its main objective is to enhance the potential of the humanities and social sciences and to integrate them into innovative experimental programmes, as well as to strengthen the international position of the university and increase its role in fostering social and economic transformation;
• the University’s Integrated Development Programme (2018-2022) – designed to support development of new fields of study and modification of existing curricula; enriching the range of curricula, courses and scholarship programmes for doctoral students; organisation of classes and training sessions to improve the skills of students and employees; and development of university management IT tools.

Referring to the changes, introduced by the Law on Higher Education and Science, Prof. Pałys informed about the new Statute of the University of Warsaw which came into force on 1st October. At the end of his speech, he called for maintaining standards in public debate based on scientific facts and respect for the others. Rector raised the subject of the climate crisis and underlined the role of universities in disseminating knowledge about scientific research on global warming and the negative consequences of climate change.

Following the rector’s speech, the matriculation which marks the formal admission of a student to membership of the University of Warsaw started. Only first-year students and doctoral students who obtained the best marks in the admission process could take part in it. The representatives of students and doctoral students gave speeches.

The first academic lecture was delivered by Prof. Andrzej Udalski from the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Warsaw, leader of the OGLE project. The UW scientist was speaking about our Galaxy and presented the latest research of the UW astronomers related to the construction of the 3D map of the Milky Way.

The inauguration began on 1st October at 2 pm in the Auditorium Maximum building.