On October 16, our University celebrated National Education Day in auditorium A. Traditionally, the event featured the awarding of state decorations and medals of the Commission of National Education (KEN) along with the Rector's Awards.
Rector's speech
The event was officially opened by Her Magnificence Rector prof. dr hab. inż. Celina M. Olszak, who greeted all the guests and expressed her heartfelt gratitude to all the employees:
National Education Day is a celebration of the entire academic community and a moment to express heartfelt gratitude to all those who continually give their hearts, minds and intellect to the development of education and science.
This day fills us with great joy and pride, but it is also a time to reflect and ask some questions; questions about the role of the university in today's world, the meaning of the search for truth, as well as the conduct of the scientific narrative and the formation of the master-student relationship.
The university has always been a place for the formation of intellectual elites and, in a sense, the vanguard of societies. Without it, there was, is and will be no space for the development of civilization, including space for creativity, diversity, freedom and democracy.
The university does not exist for itself.... It exists first and foremost for the students, and for the surrounding reality.
However, the university should not surrender unconditionally to the rules of reality and its tendencies.
The task of the university should not be limited to merely teaching professional skills. The university should be a space for reflection, critical thought, skepticism and even doubt.
It is a place where truth is often sought despite the lack of applause, and where there should be no consent to the formulation of superficial opinions at the pace of a hasty narrative. It is home to certain kinds of rebels and architects of a new imagination who are not afraid to take risks, to defy established canons and accepted theories.
Building a future based on higher education and science should be a priority for every country. Investment in science must not be treated as an expense – it is an investment in the future and a better life.
This priority should be reflected in decisions on both evaluation and funding of science and higher education.
Ceremony of state decorations
Our academic staff was then awarded state decorations: 32 medals for long service, 3 Crosses of Merit, 3 KEN medals. Distinguished recipients were introduced by Vice-Rector for Development and Cooperation with External Environment dr hab. Robert Wolny, prof. UE, awarded by Her Magnificence Rector prof. dr hab. Celina M. Olszak and the Vice-Rector for Science and Academic Staff Development prof. dr hab. Maciej Nowak.
Rector's Awards
University teachers distinguished by the Rector’s Awards were presented by Vice-Rector for Development and Cooperation with External Environment. Her Magnificence the Rector and the Vice-Rector for Science and Academic Staff Development awarded the recipients with diplomas and congratulated them for their outstanding achievements.
Administrative staff received individual Rector's Awards from Her Magnificence the Rector and Chancellor Paweł Kadłubiak, who awarded diplomas and their heartfelt congratulations.
President of the Student Parliament’s speech
The event concluded with the speech by President of the Student Parliament Miłosz Serafin who thanked Her Magnificence the Rector for her work for the academic community. On behalf of the administrative staff, Chancellor Paweł Kadłubiak also expressed his thanks to the university teachers, expressing his best wishes.
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