The most important academic ceremony, which took place on October 5 in the Prof. Janusz Piekarczyk Lecture Hall at the Didactic Center MUW, was attended by representatives of the entire MUW academic community and many distinguished guests. In keeping with tradition, the ceremony opened with the entrance of the Color Party and the University's procession. This was followed by the singing of the national anthem and the university's anthem "Medicine."
- [...] I would like to present what has happened recently and what lies ahead. The past two years have been the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not an easy time, the challenges of which we have met. MUW hospitals have organized a significant number of beds for patients infected with SARS-Cov2 in the Mazowieckie voivodship. At the same time, teaching in all fields was carried out in accordance with the applicable criteria and our students received their diplomas on time - began his speech Rector Professor Zbigniew Gaciong. In it, he summarized the last two years of the university's activities, including MUW's immediate involvement in the aid campaign for war-stricken Ukraine. Professor Gaciong also recalled the ongoing investments: the expansion and superstructure of the Clinical Ophthalmology Hospital and the construction of the Medical Simulation Center, whose opening is already planned for next year. Also ahead of the university is the construction of a new hospital on the Lindley Campus - earlier this year MUW signed an agreement with the Ministry of Health worth PLN 548 million. This will be one of the largest investments in the history of our university. The rector also spoke about plans for the future. MUW's strategic goal is to support and develop innovative research and achieve the status of a Research University, as well as to create a leading transplant center in Poland, which would be one of the main European centers.
The Rector's speech did not lack student themes. Profesor Gaciong expressed his appreciation for the activities of students involved in helping Ukraine, and praised the Student Government for its resilient representation of student interests in relations with the authorities and for taking numerous initiatives to make study time more enjoyable. He also urged all newcomers to become academically active in the more than 250 student scientific clubs operating at the university.
- You are tying your fate for the coming years to the Medical University and Warsaw. Use the time wisely and effectively. Acquaintances and friendships made during your studies can last a lifetime! Remember this. We, the staff of MUW - administration, teachers, are at your disposal, welcome you and remember: from today you are part of the two-hundred-year tradition of teaching medicine in Warsaw. We are proud of what a modern academic center we are. And like you, we also have ambitious plans for the future - the Rector concluded.
Those gathered also listened to a congratulatory letter from the President of the Republic of Poland, which was handed over by Grazyna Ignaczak-Bandych - Head of the Office of the President of the Republic of Poland. "May this new year also bring each of you much satisfaction and achievement. For researchers, may it be a time of scientific success, and for students, great intellectual adventures. I wish everyone many valuable discoveries and endless inspiration. Gaudeamus Igitur. Vivat Academia! Vivant Professores!" - wrote the President.
Letters from Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Minister of Health Adam Niedzielski and Minister of Education and Science Przemysław Chernek were also read out.
An important part of the ceremony was the student matriculation. Five students from the Faculty of Medicine, seven from the Faculty of Dental Medicine, two from the Faculty of Pharmacy and five from the Faculty of Health Sciences were selected for the ceremony. Prof. Marek Kuch, Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Education, read the words of the oath, which were repeated by the students. In the presence of the Deans, the Rector swore in the students. Next, doctoral students from the Doctoral School, who achieved the highest scores during this year's recruitment, took the oath. The words of the oath were read by Prof. Piotr Pruszczyk, Vice Rector for Science and Technology Transfer. The doctoral students received congratulations and diplomas.
Commemorative speeches were given by Agata Andrzejczyk, chairwoman of the Student Government, and Andrzej Patyra, chairman of the Doctoral Student Government.
The inaugural lecture entitled "Teaching medicine in Warsaw - yesterday, today and tomorrow" was delivered by Professor Marek Krawczyk, MD, Rector of MUW in 2008-2016. The professor recalled the more than 200-year history of teaching medicine in Warsaw, which is also the history of our University. The inauguration was accompanied by an exhibition of photos and graphics "200 years of teaching medicine in Warsaw", presenting the history and present of MUW. It can be viewed on the first floor of the Didactic Center.
The most important ceremony of the academic year was also attended by: Mazovian Voivode Konstanty Radziwill, Dariusz Jóźwiak, Advisor in the Political Cabinet of the Minister of Education and Science, Krzysztof Saczka, Chief Sanitary Inspector, Tomasz Slawatyniec, Director of the Health Department of the Mazovian Voivodship Office in Warsaw, Dorota Stegienka, Mayor of the Ochota District, Prof. Anastase Shyaka, Ambassador of Rwanda to Poland, as well as rectors of Warsaw universities, representatives of the Polish Academy of Sciences, representatives of institutions related to our university as well as medicine and health care. Also present were directors of MUW hospitals and companies, as well as people representing church authorities, including those of other faiths. The inauguration was also honoured by the former rectors of our university: Prof. Tadeusz Tołłoczko, Prof. Andrzej Górski, Prof. Leszek Pączek and Prof. Mirosław Wielgoś.
MUW, in addition to those mentioned above, was represented by Prof. Agnieszka Cudnoch-Jędrzejewska, Vice Rector for Human Resources, Prof. Wojciech Lisik - Vice Rector for Clinical Affairs and Investments, Prof. Paweł Włodarski - Vice Rector for International Relations, Development and Promotion, as well as Chairmen of the Scientific Disciplines Councils, members of the University Council, Deans of Faculties and MUW Senators.
