Inauguration of the Academic Year 2022/2023 [coverage]

Opening ceremony

The Inauguration of the Academic Year 2022/2023 was traditionally held in lecture hall A of the University of Economics in Katowice and was broadcast live on Facebook and YouTube channel #UEKatowice.

Guests, gathered both in the lecture hall and online, were officially welcomed by Her Magnificence Rector Prof. Celina M. Olszak, Ph.D., D.Sc. The event was attended by many distinguished guests, such as representatives of government and local authorities, honorary doctors of our University, representatives of the socio-economic environment, principals of secondary schools, consular corps, rectors of universities from the region, honorary professors, members of the Senate and the University Council, the Alumni Association, and the academic community.

Inauguration speech

In her speech, the Rector referred to one of the strategic values of the University of Economics in Katowice, emphasizing:

"The guiding slogan of our University's anniversary year, "Power of unity" would not have been realized if not for our sensitivity. Sensitivity requires us to be exceptionally vigilant, and empathetic, reject stereotypes and refuse to take an easy way out. Sensitivity is seeing You, Us, and the Other, with all the subsequent dilemmas, but also joys and successes. It is a dialogue and overcoming of barriers – together. It is the ability to accept our differences and divergent opinions with respect for the law and academic values. Without Sensitivity, all our morality is Sensitivity, after all, is not weakness nor helplessness, as it might seem. It is sensitivity that carries us forward. Sensitivity is, above all: 

• responsibility - for the fate of the people, especially for the younger generation, their problems, for the future of our region and the country,
• readiness - the willingness and ability to carry out social and economic change, improve the lives of people, their work and our surroundings in general,
• constant inquiry - prompting ourselves to look carefully in awe for the rare and extraordinary,
• ethics - acting by following the science and work ethos, pursuing truth at all costs.

Sensitivity involves constant self-improvement and the joy and faith that TOGETHER we can do more. The University of Economics in Katowice entered its 85th anniversary celebrations with the slogan "Power of unity", but it ends this year and begins the following with a statement "THERE IS NO UNITY WITHOUT SENSITIVITY".

Congratulation letters

Numerous congratulations were offered to Her Magnificence the Rector. A congratulatory letter from the Prime Minister was officially read by the Governor of the Silesian Voivodeship Jarosław Wieczorek. Congratulation letters from Minister of Education and Science Przemysław Czernek and Minister of Family and Social Policy Marlena Maląg were read by Vice-Rector for Development and Cooperation with External Environment Professor Robert Wolny, Ph.D. A congratulatory address from the Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship Jakub Chełstowski was presented by Secretary Dariusz Ptaś. Later in the ceremony, Waldemar Bojarun spoke on behalf of the Mayor of Katowice, Marcin Krupa. 

Matriculation

One of the highlights of every ceremonial inauguration of the academic year is the act of matriculation, i.e. an official admission and recognition of candidates as students and doctoral students of our University. This part of the ceremony was conducted by Vice-Rector for Education and International Relations Professor Sławomir Smyczek, Ph.D. After swearing the solemn oath to become a student at the University of Economics in Katowice, it was time for the doctoral students’ matriculation. This part of the ceremony was conducted by the Dean of the Doctoral School, Professor Artur Walasik, Ph.D.

"I solemnly swear that I will persistently pursue the acquisition of knowledge and my own personal development, respect the university authorities and all members of the community, obey academic laws and customs, and maintain through my conduct the dignity and honor of a student/doctoral student of the University of Economics in Katowice, "  the candidates vowed.

Matriculation was followed by speeches by Bartłomiej Kawulok, President of the Student Parliament, and Jakub Kubiczek, President of the Doctoral Student Government.

Conferring the title of Doctor Honoris Causa to Prof. Bogdan Nogalski, Ph.D. 

Another highlight of this year’s inauguration was the ceremony awarding Professor Bogdan Nogalski with the title of Doctor Honoris Causa of the University of Economics in Katowice. The course of the DHC process was presented by the Dean of the Faculty of Management Professor Wojciech Dyduch, Ph.D., who also delivered the ceremonial laudation. Joining Professor Wojciech Dyduch were the reviewers, Professor Szymon Cyfert, Ph.D., (Poznań University of Economics) and Professor Janusz Czekaj, Ph.D., (Cracow University of Economics), who spoke next. Afterward, Her Magnificence the Rector, together with the supervisor, presented Professor Bogdan Nogalski with a diploma along with a symbolic sash. This part of the ceremony was honored by our University Choir performing the piece Canticorum lubilo. The ceremony of conferring an honorary doctorate to Professor Bogdan Nogalski ended with the Professor's thanks. More information(in Polish).

Presentation of appointments to members of the Convent

During the official Inauguration of the Academic Year 2022/2023, members of the Convent of the University of Economics in Katowice were also assigned. The Convent is a consultative body advising the Rector on the development of the University of Economics in Katowice, and includes the Rector, the Chancellor, the Vice-Rectors and representatives of the University's social and economic environment. 

This part of the ceremony was conducted by Vice-Rector for Development and Cooperation with External Environment Professor Robert Wolny, Ph.D., together with Her Magnificence the Rector, who officially presented appointments and congratulations to the members of the Convent of the University of Economics in Katowice. 

More information and composition of the Convent (in Polish)  

Diplomas for high schools

For years, the University of Economics in Katowice has been conducting a special program of cooperation with high schools. During this year's Inauguration of the Academic Year 2022/2023, high schools with the highest number of finalists and laureates of subject Olympiads who were admitted to the first year of study at the University of Economics in Katowice were awarded diplomas. The school's position in the Perspektywy ranking was also taken into account, as well as the overall total number of admitted students and candidates from a given school for first-year studies at our University.  

The schools honored this year were: 

• I Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Juliusza Słowackiego in Chorzów, 
• I Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Tadeusza Kościuszki in Mysłowice, 
• II Liceum Ogólnokształcące z Oddziałami Dwujęzycznymi im. Marii Konopnickiej in Katowice,
• Zespół Szkół Ekonomiczno-Usługowych in Rybnik and Zespół Szkół nr 2 in Ruda Śląska.  

Distinctions for students, young scientists and artists

The past academic year resulted in many successes for students, young scientists and artists of our University, boasting remarkable achievements of its community at home and abroad. Distinctions of the Rector during this year's inauguration were given to more than 50 students, doctoral candidate, the Choir of the University of Economics in Katowice and representatives of the Song and Dance Ensemble "Silesianie". List of people awarded(in Polish).

StatSoft Polska awards

StatSoft Polska awarded a prize in the competition for the best master's thesis prepared using the tools of statistics and data analysis contained in the Statistica family of programs in the years 2020-2021 edition. The winner in this category was Magdalena Kawecka, M.A., for her thesis written under the supervision of Professor Grażyna Trzpiot, Ph.D., entitled "Application of selected methods of multivariate analysis to assess the situation of young people on the labor market in selected countries of the European Union in years 2000-2018." 

Inauguration lecture 

After the delivery of the formula officially opening the new academic year, what proceeded was a lecture entitled "Management in the age of artificial intelligence", delivered by Professor Bogdan Nogalski, Ph.D. During the lecture, Professor Nogalski sought answers to the questions such as "How does artificial intelligence assist organizations and managers in solving management problems?" or "Are organizations in danger of widespread avatarization?" References to industrial revolutions and artificial intelligence were also made. Concluding his lecture, Professor Nogalski pointed to the vision of the outstanding oeuvre of the Polish hard science fiction writer, Stanislaw Lem, inspiring the audience to reflect on the matter, while emphasizing at the same time that the ethics of implementing artificial intelligence should become a frequent topic of meetings and discussions of organizations’ managers.

Artistic part

In the final part of the ceremony, guests were invited to listen to a concert by the Choir of the University of Economics in Katowice conducted by Michal Brożek that honored the Inauguration of the Academic Year 2022/2023 with their performance.  

Premiere of the #UEKatowice film No Unity Without Sensitivity.

On the occasion of the beginning of the academic year, the University's latest film entitled No Unity Without Sensitivity was presented. The film features members of our University community. The video is also available on the #UEKatowice YouTube channel.  

Unveiling of the DHC plaque in the Avenue of Oaks

As is the custom of our University, the fifteenth common oak named after Professor Bogdan Nogalski, Ph.D., was planted in the Avenue of Oaks of Honorary Doctorate Holders of the University of Economics in Katowice, located on our campus. The Avenue of Oaks of Honorary Doctorate Holders is part of the Alley of Polish Trees, which was created as part of the UniEKO environmental project. Common oaks were chosen due to the species' association with nobility and longevity in Polish culture. Each planted oak tree represents an honorary doctorate holder to whom the University of Economics in Katowice has bestowed this title in its history. This year’s inauguration ceremony was followed by the official symbolic unveiling of the Honorary Doctoris Causa plaque in the Avenue of Oaks.

A new issue of Forum

On the occasion of the new academic year, a brand new issue of our University’s bulletin Forum has been published. In the latest issue, you can read a word from Rector Prof. Celina M. Olszak on the occasion of the inauguration, a summary of events that took place during the anniversary year and a presentation of the offer of the University of Economics in Katowice. We wholeheartedly invite you to read it! (also in English) 

Broadcasting the ceremony

The broadcast of the Inauguration of the academic year 2022/2023 is available on our University’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.