On April 15, 2025, the University of Economics in Katowice celebrated Earth Day. Along the Rawa Boulevards, next to the CNTI building, a ceremonial tree planting took place, enriching the University of Economics in Katowice’s Tree Avenue. This avenue was created in collaboration with the Katowice Forest District as part of the UniEko project. The ceremony was attended by: HM the Rector prof. dr hab. inż. Celina M. Olszak, Vice-Rector for Science and Academic Staff Development prof. dr hab. Maciej Nowak, Dean of the Faculty of Spatial Economy and Regions in Transition dr hab. Adam Drobniak, prof. UE, Dean of the Faculty of Management dr hab. Adam Samborski, prof. UE, and invited guests.
Earth Day at UE Katowice [coverage]
The highlight of the program was the planting of a Douglas fir – the tree representing the Faculty of Spatial Economy and Regions in Transition – and a linden tree, commemorating the title of Katowice as the European City of Science 2024.
Opening speech by HM the Rector Celina M. Olszak:
"Today at the University of Economics in Katowice we begin the celebration of Earth Day, which reminds us that caring for the climate and nature is not a choice, but a necessity. Earth is – so far – the only known place in the universe that allows human life. We have no alternative. Therefore, caring for its resources, ecological balance, and the quality of life for future generations should be the foundation of every decision – individual, institutional, and global.
On Earth Day, we don’t stop at words. By planting new trees – the Douglas fir and the linden – we strengthen the green infrastructure of our campus, and at the same time symbolically root the values that co-create the identity of the University: durability, responsibility, and development.
The Douglas fir – strong, resilient, with an impressive adaptive potential – represents our youngest faculty, the Faculty of Spatial Economy and Regional Transformation. Its mission is to shape living spaces thoughtfully, sustainably, and with a future-oriented perspective. Meanwhile, the linden tree, planted in memory of the title of European City of Science Katowice 2024, reminds us of the fundamental role of science in solving modern problems and building the common good.
Our commitment goes beyond symbolic actions. Earth Day is also about concrete initiatives. Together with staff, students, and external partners, today we’re organizing a cleanup of the campus area – because environmental responsibility begins with our immediate surroundings. This is also a gesture of care, community, and respect for the place where we live and work.
At this point, I would like to sincerely thank everyone who contributed to organizing today’s event – employees and students. Thank you for your presence, engagement, and willingness to act together.
In our academic space, each tree has its own meaning and symbolism. The tree path, created in 2015 as part of the UniEKO project, commemorates important events and strengthens the bond between the academic community and nature. The European larch symbolizes the Faculty of Management, the silver fir – the Faculty of Economics, the Norway spruce – the Faculty of Finance, the Swiss pine – the Faculty of Informatics and Communication, and the Scots pine – the Rybnik branch. Now, the Douglas fir joins this group – a sign of the dynamic development of our university and our response to the challenges of the future.
Following the opening remarks, Rector prof. dr hab. inż. Celina M. Olszak and Dean dr hab. Adam Drobniak, prof. UE began the ceremonial planting under the supervision of Forest Engineer Aleksander Zakrzewski from the Katowice Forest District.
Afterward, a symbolic unveiling of the linden tree took place, commemorating Katowice as the European City of Science 2024.
As part of the day's celebration, the campus was also enriched with eight new globe Norway maples, which will green the area around the Rawa boulevards. This is a deliberate continuation of the existing green design, fitting into the concept of a cohesive, harmonious, and accessible landscape axis connecting the University with the city.
Some attendees also took part in a “cleanup the world” initiative in the vicinity of the campus. All necessary supplies were provided, along with a healthy, eco-friendly snack in the form of apples. Several bags of waste were collected and will be disposed of in designated locations.
Presentations and Lectures
The event also featured engaging presentations and lectures for high school students, university students, and staff.
The first presentation, titled "Connected with the Forest", focused on the role and functions of forests and their importance for people and the environment. The attendees were welcomed by dr Agnieszka Put, Head of the Communication Department, and the meeting was led by Joanna Staszewska from the Katowice Forest District.
The speaker explained the multiple functions of forests (protective and ecological, social, economic), including their role in shaping and protecting landscapes, regulating climate by neutralizing soil and air pollution, reducing noise, and producing oxygen. She also emphasized the health benefits of forests as places for relaxation and unwinding.
Participants also had the opportunity to attend inspiring lectures by UE Katowice faculty:
"Not Everything Belongs in the Trash! Circular Economy and the Hidden Potential of Waste" – delivered by dr hab.Monika Wieczorek-Kosmala, prof. UE
"Do We Shape Space, or Does It Shape Us? Challenges of Spatial Economy" – delivered by dr Agnieszka Majorek-Gdula.
Galeria zdjęć
Dzień dla Ziemi na UE Katowice
Galeria zdjęć przedstawia Dzień dla Ziemi obchodzony na Uniwersytecie Ekonomicznym w Katowicach w dniu 15 kwietnia 2025 roku, ukazuje przebieg wydarzenia edukacyjno-ekologicznego, które odbyło się w salach dydaktycznych oraz na terenie kampusu Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego w Katowicach. W pierwszych ujęciach widzimy prelegentki, które - stojąc przy katedrze wykładowej - prezentują treści związane z ochroną środowiska. Ich wystąpienia skierowane są do grupy studentów i uczniów, którzy z zaangażowaniem śledzą prezentację. Kadry pokazują uważne twarze młodych uczestników siedzących w jasnej, nowoczesnej sali wykładowej. W ostatnich kadrach wydarzenie przenosi się w plener - widzimy teren kampusu oraz fragment zielonej alei, gdzie posadzono młode drzewka. Jedno ze zdjęć pokazuje specjalną tabliczkę z napisem dotyczącym wydarzenia symbolicznie przewiązaną wstążką. Na jednym ze zdjęć widzimy mężczyznę wiozącego na wózku drzewko, które ma zostać posadzone w alejce. Zdjęcia ukazują zaangażowanie społeczności akademickiej UE Katowice w praktyczne działania proekologiczne, realizowane na terenie kampusu w ramach „Dnia dla Ziemi”. W centrum wydarzenia znajduje się akcja sadzenia drzew - zarówno pracownicy, jak i studenci z uśmiechem i zaangażowaniem uczestniczą w procesie. JM Rektor prof. dr hab. inż. Celina M. Olszak ubrana w niebieską sportową bluzę z białym logo Uczelni, osobiście bierze udział w sadzeniu drzewek, wspólnie z innymi uczestnikami, co nadaje wydarzeniu symboliczny wymiar wspólnotowego działania na rzecz klimatu. Tłem dla działań jest charakterystyczna architektura nowoczesnych budynków Uczelni oraz przestrzeń miejska Katowic. W kilku ujęciach grupa uczestników pracuje razem - niektórzy podtrzymują młode drzewo, inni obsypują korzenie ziemią lub przywiązują pień do wspornika. Inne fotografie dokumentują przyjazną atmosferę finału akcji - pracownicy Uczelni częstują uczestników jabłkami. Fotografie ukazują akcję sprzątania terenu wokół Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego w Katowicach.
UE Katowice is a partner in the project "Supporting the Process of Just Transformation through the Promotion of Higher Education," implemented in cooperation with the Marshal’s Office of the Silesian Voivodeship, regional universities, and the Metropolis GZM.
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