The University Day of the University of Economics in Katowice 2026 [coverage]

The University of Economics in Katowice was established on 11 January 1937, when the founder and Rector of the University, dr Józef Lisak, delivered the inaugural lecture at the Faculty of Industrial Organization. Since then, for 89 years, the academic community has met every year at a ceremonial meeting of the Senate and Faculty Councils to celebrate The University Day of the University of Economics.

The gathered guests were welcomed by HM the Rector prof. dr hab. inż. Celina M. Olszak, who then delivered an address on the role of universities:

The University cannot limit itself to the role of an observer nor merely an interpreter of reality. It should remain a space for understanding complexity in a world of growing uncertainty. A place where uncertainty is not treated as a weakness, but as a condition for reliable cognition. The University has always functioned as an institution situated in tension: between autonomy and power, or between the search for truth and the usefulness of knowledge.

We recommend the address by HM the Rector in the latest issue of the University magazine Forum, published on the occasion of this year’s The University Day of the University of Economics.

A special moment of this year’s celebrations was the ceremonial conferral of the title of doctor honoris causa of the University of Economics in Katowice on dr Henryka Bochniarz - an outstanding economist, a leader of economic life, and a social activist. The supervisor in the honorary doctorate proceedings was HM the Rector prof. Celina M. Olszak, and the reviewers were prof. dr hab. inż. Jerzy Buzek and prof. dr hab. Jerzy Hausner.

HM the Rector prof. dr hab. inż. Celina M. Olszak presented the course of the proceedings to confer the title of doctor honoris causa, and speeches were delivered by prof. dr hab. inż. Jerzy Buzek and prof. dr hab. Jerzy Hausner. Then HM the Rector read out the text of the diploma, after which the insignia of the dignity of doctor honoris causa were presented and the Laureate was decorated with a sash, accompanied by the singing of the academic choir. The ceremony concluded with the Laureate’s lecture entitled "35 Years of Success, 10 Years of Challenges", devoted to the transformations of the Polish economy and the challenges facing it in the coming years.

Information about dr Henryka Bochniarz and excerpts from the laudation by HM the Rector are available on the website.

Traditionally, during The University Day of the University of Economics, doctoral and habilitation diplomas were presented. In 2026, promotions were received by 12 scholars representing the disciplines of economics and finance as well as management and quality sciences.

First, diplomas of doktor habilitowany were presented. In the discipline of economics and finance, habilitation was awarded to:

• dr hab. Artur Ochojski, 
• dr hab. Aleksandra Nocoń,

and in the discipline of management and quality sciences:

• dr hab. Ewa Maćkowiak. 

The promoted doktorzy habilitowani received their diplomas from HM the Rector prof. dr hab. inż. Celina M. Olszak.

Next, the doctoral promotion ceremony took place. The promoted doctors took a solemn oath, confirming their readiness to represent the University with dignity, to advance science, and to act for the common good and for the Republic of Poland. After the oath, the official conferral of the doctoral degree and the granting of all rights and privileges associated with it were announced.

Doctoral diplomas in the discipline of economics and finance were awarded to:

• dr Sroka Łukasz,
• dr Akanayeva Tolkyn,
• dr Bieleń Martyna, 
• dr Stachurski Tomasz,
• dr Nowicki Daniel,
• dr Kantor Angelika,

and in the discipline of management and quality sciences:

• dr Ujma Michał,
• dr Kwiecień Kamil,
• dr Czapla Alina,

On behalf of the promoted doctors and doktorzy habilitowani, an address was delivered by dr hab. Aleksandra Nocoń.

During the ceremony, the Senate of the University of Economics in Katowice honored distinguished retired academic teachers by conferring on them the title of honorary professor. The distinction was awarded to:

• dr hab. Danuta Kisperska-Moroń,
• dr hab. Krystian Pera.

The diplomas were presented by HM the Rector, and on behalf of the honorary professors, dr hab. Krystian Pera, spoke.

During The University Day of the University of Economics, grants were also awarded to outstanding young research and teaching staff, funded by the Chairman of the University Council of the University of Economics in Katowice, Mr Ryszard Wojtkowski.

The grants were awarded to:

• mgr Katarzyna Renik,
• dr Kornelia Przedworska,
• dr Agnieszka Małecka,
• dr inż. Krzysztof Podgórski,
• mgr Dominika Krawczyńska,
• dr Irena Żurawska-Bartosik.

During the ceremony, the fifth edition of the competition "Outstanding Graduates of the University of Economics in Katowice" was also concluded. Statuettes were awarded to laureates in the following categories: academic, professional, social, and Rising Star, thus emphasizing the lasting bond of graduates with their alma mater.

The laureates of the competition "Outstanding Graduates of the University of Economics in Katowice" were:

• in the academic category - prof. dr hab. Ewa Ziemba,
• in the professional category - Kornelia Cieśla,
• in the social category - dr hab. Jan Wojtyła, prof UE,
• in the Rising Star category - Roksana Śliwka.

The celebrations of The University Day of the University of Economics 2026 concluded with an address by HM the Rector prof. Celina M. Olszak and the joint singing of Gaudeamus Igitur. The ceremony was an opportunity to summarize another year of the University’s activity, highlight its academic achievements, and meet as a community that for years has been formed by the employees, students, doctoral students, and graduates of the University.

The celebrations of The University Day of the University of Economics were moderated by the Press Spokesperson Marek Kiczka.