Photo report of the inauguration of the academic year 2023/2024
Before the inauguration, the Rectors of the six universities invited the media to a joint press briefing, during which they told journalists about the specific nature of their universities and their successes. A moment later, the official part of the ceremony began with the introduction of the Rector's procession of all universities, the introduction of banners and the performance of the national anthem by the Choir of the Academy of Music in Lodz.
Rector of the University of Lodz, Prof. Elżbieta Żądzińska welcomed the audience on behalf of the organisers of the inauguration and delivered a speech opening the academic year 2023-2024. She reminded the audience that the academic roots of Lodz date back to the interwar period, and even to the 19th century, and the currently operating universities, even though they were established after World War II, are worthy heirs of the universities and art schools of that time. She also referred to the common history of the universities in Lodz in the post-war period, emphasizing the importance of the speeches of Lodz students in 1968 and during the "Solidarity" festival (which led to the creation and registration of the Independent Students' Association). The Rector of the University of Lodz emphasized the importance of these events for ending the era of real socialism.
History shows that together we can do more. Nowadays, we can also see at every step that the era of "lone islands" in science is over. The most groundbreaking research projects are conducted by large teams of outstanding scientists representing various disciplines of science and art. We are proud that our researchers and graduates are more and more involved in solving the problems of the modern world. Each of the 6 universities has outstanding people among its graduates who significantly influence the fate of the world. It is impossible to list them all here. Today's joint inauguration is only the first step. We want to act for the good of the academic community, but also the city and voivodeship, as well as all current and potential partners in Poland and abroad
– said Prof. Elżbieta Żądzińska.
Next, the Rector of the University of Lodz recalled the figure of Jan Karski, who is the patron of the Lodz Academic Partnership. She emphasized that he represents the values of respect, cooperation, tolerance and peace, and his name in the name of the academic partnership emphasizes the commitment of all universities to promoting international cooperation, academic exchange and intercultural dialogue.
As the Lodz Academic Partnership, we not only want to be one of the largest and strongest academic centres, but we also have the ambition to be an important partner of Lodz and the region, business and science and cultural institutions. We want interdisciplinary research to take place in the best international research teams and networks. We want its results to be widely heard. Currently, we need a strong, common voice of the Academy on many issues. Not always issues that are directly related to research and education, but always important, both for university employees, students and residents of Lodz and the region. This is what our cooperation will be like within the Lodz Academic Partnership. I believe that the partnership is an entry into a new quality of functioning of Academic Lodz
– added the University of Lodz Rector.
Today, the universities that form the Lodz Academic partnership are the largest employer in the region: they employ 10.5 thousand people; conduct research in 42 scientific disciplines; educate 46 thousand students and 1.5 thousand doctoral students in 266 fields of study; host 3.5 thousand international students. They also influence the development of global science: in the years 2017-2022, the universities associated in the partnership jointly completed 1.5 thousand projects worth over PLN 2 billion. Thanks to the partnership, our city is also changing: over the last 5 years, the universities associated with it have allocated over PLN 2.5 billion for renovations and investments in our city.
At the end of her speech, the Rector of the University of Lodz wished everyone that in the new academic year they would be accompanied by the values common to the academic community: courage, curiosity, commitment and respect.
Let them be a signpost for building universities ready to meet the challenges of today
– concluded Prof. Elżbieta Żądzińska.
After the speech by the Rector of the University of Lodz, it was time for occasional speeches by the invited guests. They were delivered by: the Minister of Development and Technology – Waldemar Buda, Voivode of Lodz – Karol Młynarczyk, who read a letter from the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki, Senator Krzysztof Kwiatkowski, President of the City Council in Lodz – Marcin Gołaszewski, and the Vice-President of Lodz – Adam Pustelnik. Krzysztof Kwiatkowski read a letter from the Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland Tomasz Grodzki and presented the Rector of the University of Lodz with the White Eagle Medal – the Senate of the Republic of Poland Medal awarded to the universities associated in Lodz Academic Partnership. The letter from the Speaker of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, Elżbieta Witek, was read by the host of the ceremony.
Next, matriculation of newly admitted students and doctoral students from the six universities of the Lodz Academic partnership took place.
At the end of the official inauguration, Dr inż. Sławosz Uznański, graduate of the Lodz University of Technology – a reserve astronaut of the European Space Agency delivered his lecture.
The ceremony ended with an artistic performance by students of the Lodz Film School.
Source: Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz
Photos: Mikołaj Zacharow (Lodz Film School), Bartosz Kałużny (Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz)