The Inauguration of the Academic Year 2026/2027 traditionally took place in Auditorium A of the University of Economics in Katowice. The ceremony could also be attended online - it was broadcast live on the University's Facebook profile and the UE Katowice YouTube channel.

All the assembled guests - both those present in the Auditorium and those participating in the event via the online broadcast - were formally welcomed by HM the Rector prof. dr hab. inż. Celina M. Olszak:

Your Magnificences, Your Excellencies, Honourable Senate, Honourable Faculty Councils, Dear Academic Community, Distinguished Guests, it is my great privilege and honour to officially open the Inauguration of the Academic Year 2026/2027 at the University of Economics in Katowice and to begin the celebrations of the University's 90th Anniversary - said HM the Rector in her welcome address.

The ceremony was attended by numerous representatives of academia, public administration and business. The invited guests included representatives of central and local government authorities, Doctors Honoris Causa of the University of Economics in Katowice, representatives of the socio-economic community, secondary school principals, members of the consular corps, rectors of universities from the region, honorary professors, members of the Senate and the University Council, as well as representatives of the Alumni Association and numerous members of the academic community.

This year's address by HM the Rector prof. dr hab. inż. Celina M. Olszak referred to the slogan of the 2026/2027 academic year - "90 YEARS OF UE KATOWICE. IT COUNTS!". In her speech, HM the Rector drew attention to the importance of the achievements of successive generations that have contributed to shaping the University over the years, as well as to the responsibility for its further development:

The University is the joint work of successive generations. We owe our scientific achievements, academic traditions, the trust of our surroundings and the good name of the University to those who built it before us. Our task is to develop this legacy and pass it on to those who come after us, enriched with our own ideas, achievements and experiences. Today, we are the heirs to nearly ninety years of history and bear responsibility for its continuation - emphasised HM the Rector.

The full text of the address can be found in the latest issue of "FORUM" andon the website.

Following her address, HM the Rector officially opened the new academic year 2026/2027 with the words:

May it be good, prosperous, happy and fruitful. QUOD BONUM FELIX, FAUSTUM FORTUNATUMQUE SIT!

In the next part of the ceremony, letters of congratulations received by HM the Rector were read out. Vice-Rector for Development and Cooperation with External Environment dr hab. Robert Wolny, prof. UE conveyed to the academic community words of recognition contained in letters from President of the Republic of Poland Karol Nawrocki, Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Włodzimierz Czarzasty and Minister of Science and Higher Education Marcin Kulasek.

I wish all students, and especially those who are crossing the threshold of the University for the first time today, that their years of study here will be not only a time of acquiring professional qualifications, but also a period of intellectual development, discovering their own talents and building relationships that will remain with them for many years. May the knowledge acquired here serve you, your families, local communities and our entire Homeland well. I wish the academic staff of the University of Economics in Katowice that the period now beginning will bring satisfaction from the challenges they undertake and success in their research and teaching work. I wish the entire University community a successful 2026/2027 academic year - wrote the President of the Republic of Poland in his letter.

Words of encouragement and best wishes were also addressed to the assembled guests by:

• Marek Wójcik, Silesian Voivode;
• Dariusz Ptaś, Director of the Office Organization Department at the Marshal's Office of the Silesian Voivodeship;
• Krzysztof Pieczyński, Vice-Chairman of the Katowice City Council.

The 90th Anniversary of the University of Economics in Katowice provides a special opportunity to honour individuals whose achievements and activities have become a lasting part of the University's history. One of the important moments of this year's inauguration was the ceremonial renewal of the doctoral degree of prof. dr. hab. Jan Pyka. In the doctoral degree renewal procedure, the role of promoter was performed by Dean of the Faculty of Informatics and Communication prof. dr hab. Jerzy Gołuchowski. The reviewers were prof. dr hab. Krystyna Jędralska and prof. dr hab. Bogdan Nogalski.

My family allowed me to strengthen my conviction that honesty, solidarity and respect for others in our everyday choices and behaviour are values of the highest importance and create the social context for success, also in science - emphasised prof. dr hab. Jan Pyka

The inauguration of the academic year was also an opportunity to symbolically welcome new members of the University community. During the matriculation ceremony, first-year students took the academic oath and were then officially admitted to the student community of the University of Economics in Katowice. The ceremony was presided over by Vice-Rector for Teaching and International Relations prof. dr hab. Wojciech Dyduch. This was followed by the oath of doctoral students, led by Vice-Rector for Science and Academic Staff Development prof. dr hab. Maciej Nowak.

I solemnly swear that I will strive diligently to acquire knowledge and develop my personality, treat the University authorities and all members of its community with respect, uphold academic rights and customs, and by my conduct preserve the dignity and honour of a student/doctoral student of the University of Economics in Katowice - swore the students and doctoral students.

The symbolic admission of new students and doctoral students to the University community was completed by words of welcome addressed to them by Chair of the Student Parliament Julia Paczek and Chair of the Doctoral Students' Council mgr Marlena Grzymkiewicz.

For many years, the University of Economics in Katowice has been developing cooperation with secondary schools, supporting young people in pursuing further education. During this year's inauguration of the academic year, special distinctions were presented to schools whose graduates - as finalists and laureates of subject Olympiads - were the most numerous among those beginning their studies at the University this year. The selection of the distinguished schools also took into account their position in the nationwide "Perspektywy" ranking, as well as the number of candidates and students admitted to first-cycle studies at the University of Economics in Katowice.

In this year's edition, Certificates of Appreciation were presented to:

• mgr inż. Anna Domagała - Principal of II Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Emilii Plater w Sosnowcu;
• mgr Barbara Modzelewska - Principal of I Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Karola Miarki w Mikołowie;
• dr Jacek Pruciak - Principal of II Liceum Ogólnokształcące z Oddziałami Dwujęzycznymi im. Marii Konopnickiej w Katowicach;
• mgr Robert Szalonek - Principal of Powiatowy Zespół Szkół w Bieruniu;
• mgr Joanna Wojtynek - Principal of I Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Leona Kruczkowskiego w Tychach.

The past academic year was a time of many significant achievements for the community of the University of Economics in Katowice. Students, young athletes and artists associated with the University successfully represented it both in Poland and internationally, demonstrating the activity and diversity of talents within our academic community.

The past 2025/2026 academic year brought many successes for our academic community - above all, these are the achievements of students who continuously develop their experience in the disciplines that interest them, which will have a positive impact on their future. I am extremely pleased that these achievements are not only at the national level, but also at the international level. I am proud that the University of Economics in Katowice is represented at such a high level - said prof. dr hab. Wojciech Dyduch.

This year, distinctions were presented by HM the Rector prof. dr hab. inż. Celina M. Olszak to: 16 students, 3 employees, the Choir of the University of Economics in Katowice and the "Silesianie" Song and Dance Ensemble.

The first lecture of the new academic year, entitled "Why Is Facebook Blue and the Dollar Green? The Unexpected Impact of Colour Vision on Economics", was delivered by prof. dr hab. n. med. Edward Wylęgała. During his lecture, the Professor demonstrated that colour is not merely a feature of the physical world, but also an effect of human perception and interpretation. Combining physics, neurobiology, technology, medicine and economics, he explained how the way we perceive reality influences our decisions, behaviour and the functioning of markets.

During the Inauguration of the Academic Year 2026/2027 at the University of Economics in Katowice, the University's latest film had its premiere. The film summarises the past 2025/2026 academic year - a period filled with important events, meetings, initiatives and joint activities. It tells the story of what was happening at our University, but also of its presence and involvement in the socio-economic life of the region and in international cooperation. Among the most important moments were also activities carried out within the BAUHAUS4EU Alliance, which brings together universities and communities from different parts of Europe around the ideas of cooperation, innovation and responsible development.

The broadcast of the Inauguration of the Academic Year 2026/2027 is available on the YouTube channel of the University of Economics in Katowice andon Facebook.

We encourage you to read the latest issue of "FORUM" magazine, in which we present the most important events and initiatives of recent months. The issue includes coverage of national and international meetings, conferences and debates, as well as information on research achievements, student successes and the accomplishments of our alumni.

The 60th issue is available on the website.

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