A word from the Rector to the Academic Community

Dear Employees, PhD students and students of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Ladies and Gentlemen!

I am happy that after the challenging experience of the last year – social isolation and on-line work – the Warsaw University of Life Sciences could start the 2021/2022 academic year with in-person classes. The winter semester gave us hopes that the virus could be contained and I do believe that thanks to the vaccination campaign and our mutual responsibility we will be able to get back to normal in our lives, work and studies. The priority for us has always been to ensure the safety of our academic community and the effective operation of our University.

The last year was the time of several onerous restrictions but also of new initiatives, of importance for the growth of the University. Our Senate adopted “The SGGW 2030 Strategy” which defines development paths in five key areas of our operation: research, teaching, international cooperation, transfer of knowledge to the economy and the consolidation of our economic position, including the provision of efficient administration and modern infrastructure. Over recent months, the research potential of the University has been bolstered thanks to the new Center for Translational Medicine, established to conduct innovative research at the intersection between veterinary medicine and medical sciences. The construction of other important research and teaching centers is underway, including the Innovative Center for Nutritional Sciences and the Center for Ecological Education in Renewable Energies. The SGGW has also joined the joint Doctoral School in Translational Medicine, managed by the Center for Medical Postgraduate Education.

Moreover, the past year was marked by the active work of the SGGW research staff: 43 individuals obtained their PhD, 22 their habilitation title and 5 became professors. Our researchers work closely with top domestic and foreign universities. The Warsaw University of Life Sciences is becoming more and more international, and this is visible in the teaching offer for students and PhD students, research works and published papers, staff development and the commercialization of research outcomes.

The importance of our Alma Mater is evidenced by its growing position in national and world rankings. For the first time the SGGW has been classified in the prestigious Shanghai Ranking where only ten Polish universities have been included. We also rank among the top ten Polish universities in terms of the number of projects implemented under the prestigious European Horizon 2020 program. In November, we hosted the annual international conference of the Euroleague for Life Sciences (ELLS) network, and for the first time in the SGGW’s history we have set up a virtual campus for 400 students from all over the world. This was a great honor and challenge for us to organize this event, which was crowned with success. We owe these achievements and our growing prestige to our staff and students, and I would like to thank all of you for that once again.

Driven by the accomplishments of the difficult last academic year, this year we must continue efforts to foster the growth of our University. That’s why we have been finalizing the periodic performance assessment of academic teachers, which was suspended because of temporary limitations in the University’s activities. Moreover, for the first time according to the new rules, we will launch the evaluation of scientific activities in 2017-2021. These will be further elements intended to enhance our quality in research and teaching. Therefore, I would like to thank the academic staff of the SGGW for their efforts in the evaluation process, and for their responsible yet passionate approach to scientific work.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Christmas and the New Year are coming. I do hope that for all of us this will be the time of rest and family meetings. I also hope that in the incoming year we will finally feel a relief from worries and witness so much expected improvement in the world situation. With that, we will be able to waive the restrictions and enjoy person-to-person encounters and the freedom of movement.

On behalf of the University authorities and on my own behalf, to all the Academic Community of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, I express my best wishes for health, prosperity and satisfaction in your professional, scientific and private lives. I wish you peaceful and joyful Christmas time and a successful 2022!

During this challenging time, with all of you in mind, together with the SGGW Chamber Choir and Promni Folk Group, we have recorded a little Christmas surprise. You are all invited to watch. I hope that our gift will really make you smile.

Merry Christmas!

Professor Michał Zasada, PhD, habilitated