The heroes of the ceremony were newly admitted students, which is why it was them who were primarily addressed by the matriculation host, professor Agnieszka Mielczarek, vice-dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.
Studying means searching and researching
-This matriculation is a symbolic act of admitting new members into our academic community. Not so long ago, you submitted your application documents to the University and waited with strong emotions for the recruitment results. The fact that you are with us today is proof of your determination, perseverance and enormous potential for development. (…) Studying means researching, asking and looking for answers, and doubts that arise inspire development - the vice-dean emphasized.
Professor Marek Kuch, vice rector for student affairs and education, talked about emotions accompanying the first days spent at the University and about opportunities offered by the studies.
- When I first came here as a student, just like you, I felt anxious. It’s natural. I assure you that everything will work out. You just need to learn to plan your time, because studying here is different from what you have experienced in your high schools. A lot depends on you. We teach you, but you decide how much you want to learn and how deep you go into your fields. There are huge opportunities at our University, but you have to want and be able to take advantage of them, you have to be active - argued the vice rector.
Awards for the best recruitment credentials
During the ceremony, awards were given to those who earned the highest scores and were admitted to the majors of their choice. Habilitated doctor Joanna Peradzyńska, vice-dean for physiotherapy, audiophonology with hearing prosthetics and electroradiology, read the names of these students while professor Marek Kuch, vice-rector for personnel and organizational affairs professor Dorota Olczak-Kowalczyk and professor Agnieszka Mielczarek presented the awards. They went to Gabriela Łuczak (1st degree speech therapy), Olga Nowacka (medical and dental studies), Demian Haivanovych (English Dentistry Division), Gabriela Ścibor (dental techniques), Aleksandra Woźniak (dental hygiene), Maria Kamińska (physiotherapy), Nicola Orzechowska (audiophonology with hearing prosthetics) and Zuzanna Pątek (1st degree electroradiology).
Solemn vow of students
The highlight of the matriculation was the students’ solemn vow. The newly admitted pledged, among other things, that they would strive to acquire knowledge, seek professional development, follow ethical principles and keep in confidence what they learn about patients’ health. They also made a commitment to show respect for the University authorities, respect academic rights and, by their conduct, take care of the dignity and honor of a student of the University.
The vow of Polish-speaking students was taken by the vice-dean, habilitated doctor Joanna Peradzyńska, and the vow of English Dentistry Division students by professor Ewa Czochrowska, vice-dean for foreign cooperation, medical and dental studies in English and general and clinical speech therapy.
From the perspective of more senior colleagues
The newly admitted students were also welcomed by Katarzyna Śledź, a representative of the student government. She assured the first-year students that they could turn to their older colleagues on any matter. She also reminded that studying is not only about learning. She encouraged the newcomers to get involved in the life of the student government and student life in general. She wished the new recruits good time management, many friendships and not worrying too much.
‘Is man an island?’ – lecture
The inaugural lecture was delivered by professor Izabela Domitrz, neurology specialist, head of the Clinic of Neurology at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. In her speech, she showed in a very convincing way that combining various fields of medicine is a necessity, as is cooperation of specialists from different areas. Professor Domitrz used the example of a person with the Wernicke-Mann posture.
- Here’s a typical post-stroke patient. Is this a patient that will be cared for by graduates of our faculty? Like every human being, this patient has ‘some’ oral microbiota, and it may contain pathogens. Today it is known that caries and periodontal disease may be associated with the development of atherosclerosis and cause stroke. So we already have the first association. Moreover, prosthetic dysfunctions, problems with maintaining proper hygiene, swallowing disorders, etc. can occur after a stroke. There are also communication problems. Therefore, to properly take care of such a patient, we will need a dentist, dental hygienist, prosthodontist, and speech therapist. And that’s not all. If it turns out that the patient has hearing loss, proper equipment will be needed – i.e. the help of an audiophonologist. A person has paresis after a stroke, so physical rehabilitation and a physiotherapist are necessary. This one example clearly shows that man is not an island. We must cooperate – only by combining several islets into one island we will be able to really help our patient - concluded professor Domitrz.
Who was at the ceremony
The matriculation ceremony ended with a short performance by the University’s Choir conducted by Daniel Synowiec. The following persons participated in the ceremony (apart from those mentioned earlier): rof. Aleksandra Banaszkiewicz, vice dean of the Faculty of Medicine, prof. Mariusz Gujski, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, prof. Olga Ciepiela, vice dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, dr Marta Kijak-Bloch, chancelor of the WUM, Jolanta Ilków, bursar of the WUM, prof. Dariusz Białoszewski, dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences in 2019-2022.
Also present were the members of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry teaching councils, program councils, members of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Council, subject coordinators, heads of units and teachers who educate students at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.
