University Day Celebrations 2023 [coverage]

"As we celebrate University Day, we remember that the University of Economics in Katowice is first and foremost all about people." – emphasized during the event Her Magnificence Rector Professor Celina M. Olszak. January 11, a day so important to our University’s community, marks the anniversary of the lecture that inaugurated our Alma Mater. It is also a unique moment to honor all the hardships of academic work through doctoral and postdoctoral promotions, as well as to show our gratitude for the merits of the University's honorary professors. During the celebrations, statuettes were also presented to the winners of the "Outstanding Alumni of the University of Economics in Katowice" competition. The celebrations also featured a musical surprise, and a performance by our Choir. Vivat Academia, vivant professores!

Exactly 86 years ago, on January 11, 1937, teaching began at our Alma Mater. The inaugural lecture for dozens of students at the then sole Faculty of Industrial Organization was delivered by our University's founder and first Rector, Dr. Józef Lisak. To commemorate the first inaugural lecture, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, it was in the Józef Lisak Auditorium that the University Day celebrations and the ceremonial meeting of the Senate began.

The event was attended by:

representatives of government, local authorities, and uniformed services,
representatives of consular corps,
Rectors, Vice-Rectors, and Deans of universities,
representatives of business and socio-economic sector,
community of the University of Economics in Katowice.

Congratulation letters

This year's celebrations were officially inaugurated by Her Magnificence Rector Prof. Celina M. Olszak, Ph.D., D.Sc., who officially welcomed all the gathered guests. On the occasion, congratulatory letters were also presented to the Rector.

The congratulatory letter from Minister of Education and Science Przemysław Czarnek was read by Vice-Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship Jan Chrząszcz, and the congratulatory letter from Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship Jakub Chełstowski was read by Secretary of the Silesian Voivodeship Dariusz Ptaś.

Doctoral and postdoctoral promotions

University Day, according to our long-standing tradition, is an excellent time to sum up distinguished scientific achievements through the presentation of doctoral and postdoctoral diplomas. This part of the ceremony was officially conducted by Vice-Rector for Science and Academic Staff Development Prof. Maciej Nowak, Ph.D. During this year's ceremony, 21 scientists received their diplomas.

Awarding titles of honorary professor

Traditionally, University Day is also an opportunity to recognize our University's distinguished emeritus professors by conferring on them the title of honorary professor. During the ceremony, the titles were awarded to:

Prof. Donata Kopańska-Bródka, Ph.D.
Prof. Krzysztof Marcinek, Ph.D.

This part of the ceremony was hosted by Vice-Rector for Science and Academic Staff Development Prof. Maciej Nowak, Ph.D., while the diplomas were presented to the honored recipients by Her Magnificence Rector Prof. Celina M. Olszak, Ph.D., D.Sc.

Awarding of statues of the 2nd edition of the Outstanding Alumni Contest

The next part of the ceremony was the awarding of the winners of the 2nd edition of the "Outstanding Alumni of the University of Economics in Katowice" competition. Vice-Rector for Development and Cooperation with External Environment Prof. Robert Wolny, Ph.D., hosted this section. The winners of the second edition of the "Outstanding Graduates of the University of Economics in Katowice" competition included:

in the occupational category – Olgierd Cieślik,
in the social category – Tadeusz Biedzki,
in the scientific category – Prof. Andrzej Klasik, Ph.D.

The statues were presented by: Her Magnificence the Rector and President of the Alumni Association Piotr Trząski.

Artistic performance

For all the gathered guests of this year's University Day, there was a very special musical surprise – a performance by the Instrumental Ensemble "TODO ART TRIO". Guests also had the opportunity to listen to the performance by the Choir of the University of Economics in Katowice under the baton of Michał Brożek, who traditionally graced the entire ceremony with their music.

Concluding the event, Her Magnificence the Rector bid farewell to all guests gathered in Auditorium A or participating through a broadcast. The Rector emphasized that University Day is "a celebration of each and every one of us, as the University is first and foremost about people; people full of passion, sensitivity, kindness and openness to each other."

The celebrations of University Day were moderated by our University's Spokesman, Marek Kiczka.