Despite the COVID pandemic, the ceremony was conducted in a unique and festive manner, like in previous years.
The official inauguration was attended by the new Vice Rectors: Prof. Agnieszka Cudnoch-Jędrzejewska - Vice Rector for Human Resources, Prof. Paweł Włodarski - Vice Rector for International Relations, Development and Promotion, Prof. Marek Kuch - Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Education, Prof. Piotr Pruszczyk - Vice Rector for Science and Technology Transfer and Prof. Wojciech Lisik - Vice Rector for Clinical Affairs and Investments.
There were also a number of honorary guests who attended the ceremony such as a representative from the Office of the President of the Republic of Poland, representatives of the Ministries of Health, Science and Higher Education, the Voivode of Mazovia, the Deputy Mayor of Warsaw, Rectors of other universities in Warsaw, former Rectors of the Medical University of Warsaw, the Chairperson of the University Council, representatives of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN), as well as, representatives of research institutes of the medical field and of healthcare services affiliated with the University. The directors of hospitals and MUW enterprises were also present.
After welcoming all the guests, the Rector invited his audience to join him in a minute of silence to honor all the University employees who passed away this past year.
Next, the Rector congratulated all the newly admitted students and expressed his joy for choosing the Medical University of Warsaw. He emphasized that students are not only part of the University’s community, but also have a real impact on the University.
In his speech, the Rector spoke about his plans with regards to the Medical University of Warsaw’s principal purpose which is education and medical training, as well as, scientific research. He also addressed the need to improve the financial situation of the University’s hospitals, conduct evaluations of its scientific units, and modernize MUW’s administration. Important topics such as the federalization process between MUW and UW and international cooperation were also addressed by the Rector, Prof. Zbigniew Gaciong, in his speech.
Then the floor was given to representatives of the Polish government, who, in turn, congratulated the Rector and MUW’s entire academic community on the occasion of the inauguration of the new academic year. First, a letter of congratulations from the President of the Republic of Poland was read by the President’s Adviser - Ms. Paulina Malinowska-Kowalczyk. Next, a letter from the Marshal of the Senate - Prof. Tomasz Grodzki, followed by a speech by the Voivode of Mazovia - Konstanty Radziwiłł and by the Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education - Prof. Wojciech Maksymowicz.
Speeches were also delivered by the President of MUW’s Polish Student Self-Government - Jakub Olszewski and MUW’s Polish Doctoral Student Self-Government - Bartosz Godek.
The inauguration ceremony was also an opportunity for the Rector to present Prof. Agnieszka Cudnoch-Jędrzejewska and Dr. Renata Wolińska with the prestigious Medal of the National Education Commission in recognition of their exceptional service in the field of education and teaching.
The final part of the program was the oath taking by the first year students and new doctoral students. Due to the COVID pandemic, only students with the best admission marks were invited to take the oath on behalf of their peers.
The Medical University of Warsaw Choir, conducted by Daniel Synowiec gave a beautiful performance of academic hymns and classical Polish songs.”
Phot. Department of Medical Photography MUW
