Ladies and Gentlemen,

on 19th May we bid farewell to Mrs Małgorzata Dynak on her final journey. Hundreds of people – family, relatives, University employees, students, officials, people moved by the tragedy – paid tribute to her. Her grave was drowned in a sea of flowers and candles, a symbol of remembrance, sympathy and also protest against this unnecessary death. It was with a pained heart and great emotion that I said goodbye to Małgosia on behalf of our entire academic community.

During the funeral ceremony, Minister Andrzej Dera, Secretary of State at the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland, presented her son Filip with the Gold Cross of Merit, awarded by President Andrzej Duda.

Condolences were expressed to the family by, among others, the Marshal of the Sejm and the Prime Minister.

We are slowly returning to our work, studies and ordinary university life, but we will cherish the memory of Małgorzata, murdered by a student at our University. This memory will guide the changes that will bring back to the University faith in another human being, openness to others and, ultimately, a sense of security. We are also talking about a permanent commemoration of Małgosia within the walls of the University.

The days since the tragedy have been exceptional, never before seen at the University of Warsaw. For the attitude I saw in those days, for your words, for your declarations of help and support for the family of the murdered Małgosia, for your willingness to take action to support each other, I would like to thank you sincerely.

I have repeatedly emphasised and continue to emphasise that we are one big university family. Its strength manifests itself especially in difficult situations, when it comes to passing the test of being a good person and also of being a good employer. In the context of the last, I would like to guarantee once again that the University of Warsaw has and will continue to provide the best possible support to the family of the tragically deceased Małgosia.

Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak

Rector of the University of Warsaw