During this year's academic year inauguration, HM the Rector, prof. dr hab. inż. Celina M. Olszak, in her address to the academic community, emphasized: "Our motto for this academic year is: "Collaborating for a Better Future." This slogan, although simple, carries a profound message. Cooperation is not only a crucial tool for achieving goals but also a reflection of our nature as social beings who collectively create and shape the world. I believe that there is no more important or effective remedy for the problems of the modern world than mutual cooperation and relationships based on trust.
It is with immense pleasure that I welcome you all to the inauguration of the academic year 2024/2025. Today marks a special moment for us all. Not only are we opening a new chapter in the history of our University, but we are also continuing our shared journey toward a future filled with challenges and extraordinary opportunities.
Our motto for this academic year is: Collaborating for a Better Future. While simple, this slogan carries a profound message. Collaboration is not only an essential tool for achieving our goals but also a reflection of our nature as social beings who together create and shape the world. I believe that there is no more important or effective remedy for the problems of the modern world than cooperation and relationships built on trust.
Let me turn to the thoughts of the eminent psychologist and psychiatrist, Viktor Frankl, who endured the horrors of concentration camps yet left us a message filled with hope. In his book, Man’s Search for Meaning, Frankl wrote: Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way. Every decision we make, and every action we take, can and should be a choice aimed at giving life deeper meaning. Frankl emphasized that it’s not just about seeking happiness, but about finding meaning, which transforms our lives and gives them direction and purpose. Each of us is responsible for giving our life meaning through our actions. This responsibility is not a burden but a privilege – an opportunity we have every day. Moreover, Frankl teaches us that such meaning is often found in relationships with others – in shared action and cooperation that benefit the entire community. It is through collaboration that our lives gain significance, and our actions become part of a larger whole.
In the context of our University and our academic work, finding such meaning is particularly important. Today, we begin a new academic year – a time full of challenges but also extraordinary opportunities. This is a moment when every university, including ours, faces a crucial role in the process of discovering and giving meaning, and in shaping the future. A future that will depend not only on our innovative research and advanced knowledge but also on the cooperation and values that we bring to society. That is why it is so important for us to emphasize interdisciplinarity in our academic and research work, cooperation across various fields of science, and partnerships with industry, the public sector, and non-governmental organizations. Where else, if not in universities – guided by the spirit of autonomy, independence, and freedom of speech – should diverse perspectives meet, and an open dialogue between science and practice take place? Universities must be initiators of social, technological, and economic change and serve as places for experimentation and the forecasting of various events. Their particular role should be evident in research related to the development of artificial intelligence and future technologies, sustainable development, climate change, the search for new and renewable energy sources, and the transformation of the labor market. In practice, this means, on the one hand, the need to increase investment in interdisciplinary research programs that combine computer science, engineering, philosophy, and social sciences, and on the other hand, the need to create educational programs that develop the skills of the future, such as creativity, adaptability, critical thinking, and digital skills.
A man comes first. By investing in people, we invest in the future.
Let us not forget that at the heart of all our actions and activities, there should always be the human being. The living fabric of our university is made up of students, researchers, administrative staff, and external partners. The outcomes of our work depend on their commitment, passion, and dedication. Therefore, we must strive to create an environment that fosters not only intellectual development but also personal and professional growth, where everyone has the opportunity to realize their aspirations and dreams.
Today’s world needs leaders who can think critically, act courageously, and with empathy. Leaders who understand that knowledge is a powerful tool that must be used responsibly, with the common good in mind. And it is we – the universities – who have a duty to educate such leaders.
Imagination is more important than knowledge
Albert Einstein said: Imagination is more important than knowledge. These words do not depreciate the value of science but rather remind us that what we know is only a starting point. While knowledge provides us a solid foundation, it is imagination that builds upon it – creating towers that can reach the stars. We often think of science as a collection of facts to be learned, and truths to be discovered, forgetting that the most important questions are those to which we do not yet have answers. Therefore, I encourage you, dear students, doctoral candidates, and staff, to not be afraid to ask questions and think differently. Great discoveries, both scientific and personal, are born from the courage to ask questions.
Here, it is worth mentioning Marie Curie-Skłodowska, who wrote in her diary: We must not fear perfection, we shall never reach it. These words, although seemingly pessimistic, are inspiring. They emphasize that the process of learning and knowing is infinite. No matter how much we achieve, there will always be more to discover, more to understand. It is this infinity, this constant movement toward new horizons, that makes intellectual life a fascinating adventure.
I would like you, dear staff, students, and doctoral candidates, to look at this academic year as a journey—a journey that will lead you not only through books and laboratories but also through your own inner selves. As you discover new external worlds, discover new worlds within yourselves as well. Learn not only what is written but also what is unspoken within you. Develop not only your minds but also your hearts.
The University as an initiator of change and a guardian of the safe and just development of the world
A university should be a genuine catalyst for innovation and a guarantor of sustainable and equitable socio-economic development. Through conducting advanced research, educating future leaders, and collaborating with the public and private sectors, a university has the opportunity to initiate changes that address global challenges. At the same time, the university should serve as a guardian of ethical standards, ensuring that economic and social development is more responsible, fair, and safe, i.e., built on solid values for the common good. Over the past few years, we have collectively shown how important responsibility for our actions and sensitivity to the needs of others are for our community. We have repeatedly proven that by working together, we build a better future for our community and have a real impact on the world around us.
The University as a Collaborative Organism
Today’s world demands that we do not operate in isolation. The success of our University would not be possible without cooperation with our surroundings – without dialogue with businesses, public institutions, and non-governmental organizations. It is thanks to them that we can cross the boundaries of academic theory and move into practice, creating solutions that have a real impact on reality. Our stakeholders are part of our community. It is they who give the University dynamism and the strength to develop further. Thanks to them, we can better understand the needs of the market, society, and the planet, and then shape programs, research, and initiatives that meet those needs.
It is often said that the value of a person is not manifested in what they receive, but in what they give to others. In this spirit, our University strives not only to be a center of learning and research but also an important player for the wider community, offering knowledge, innovation, and wisdom gained through experience.
Today, more than ever, it is important that we work together to create the future. The success of not only our University but also our region and country depends on how effectively we cooperate.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I encourage all of us to embark on Frankl’s search for meaning in the new academic year – one that involves acting for benefit of others and building strong interpersonal connections. I hope that you find fulfilment and purpose in life by being open to others and fostering a sense of community, becoming part of something greater and more meaningful. I believe that through such actions, we can create a better and safer future.
Celina M. Olszak
Rector
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