WULS-SGGW inaugurated the 2020/2021 academic year. QUOD FELIX FAUSTUM FORTUNATUMQUE SIT!

Flagship and Members of the Senate of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences

On September 30, the Warsaw University of Life Sciences inaugurated the new academic year as one of the first universities in Warsaw. The inauguration was chaired for the first time by prof. dr hab. Michał Zasada, Rector of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, elected for the 2020-2024 term. On behalf of over 6,000 students starting their studies in the first year of studies, the oath was taken by the people who obtained the best results in the recruitment procedure in individual fields of study. During this year’s recruitment, the most popular fields of study were: finance and accounting, where almost 7 candidates applied for one place, IT, dietetics, veterinary medicine, logistics and management – with 5 and more candidates for 1st place. Inaugural lecture entitled “Environmental hydrodynamics as the foundation of” close to nature “solutions in modern water management, was delivered by prof. dr hab. Paweł Rowiński, vice president of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Despite the restrictions introduced due to the epidemic situation and the limitation of the number of participants, the inauguration had its unique, ceremonial character. In a difficult time for the academic community, the participation of many distinguished guests was especially warmly received. The academic community was able to participate in the event thanks to the direct coverage on the YouTube platform of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences.

The inauguration of the academic year is an event that is always of exceptional importance for the community of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. It is a momentous ceremony during which we welcome the representatives of the young generation – first-year students to the university community. It is them who will soon be responsible for our future – said Rector, opening the inaugural speech. For graduates of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, specialists in the broadly understood natural sciences, there are important tasks: activities to protect the environment and improve the difficult climate situation, as well as solve nutritional and health problems, and thus ensure safety for all of us.

Today’s celebration is of historical importance in many dimensions. She is the first in the term of office of the new University authorities. […] is also unique because, for the first time in the history of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, we could not invite all our friends, partners and associates to celebrate together in the Crystal Hall. For security reasons, most of the invited guests can participate in this event only remotely, in front of computer screens. We all hope, however, that this is a temporary situation and that we will soon be able to return to normal academic life. […]

Due to the current pandemic situation, the current academic year will be the period in which we intend to improve the synchronous and asynchronous methods of online education, both in terms of the tools used and the methodology of creating the course content. However, despite the introduced numerous sanitary restrictions, we will try to find ways not to limit direct student-teacher contacts, which are the basis for building an academic atmosphere. Its uniqueness is also evidenced by the relationships established between students. New acquaintances, friendships, and shared passions are inseparable elements of student life. We do not want to deprive them of our students this difficult year either.

Addressing the students and PhD students directly, the Rector emphasized:

Today you join the community of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, which consists of over 16,000 students and doctoral students, and over 3,000 academic teachers, administrative and research and technical staff. By choosing our Alma Mater, you have decided to study at a modern and recognized in Poland and abroad university of natural science. And you chose your path of education from among 38 study programs offered in the agricultural, veterinary, natural, technical, economic and social sciences. You have made the right choice and I sincerely congratulate you! […] Remember that from today you are also representatives of this oldest science university in Poland. So make every effort to make the University proud of you!

I wish you that the choice of WULS-SGGW as your home university will be the first step on the way to a satisfying professional life. That the studies meet your expectations and give you many exciting opportunities that will result in success in the future.

In this exceptional academic year, I wish all students and doctoral students of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences first of all health. Please, take care of yourself and others, so that you can follow the course of studies and expand your knowledge without any problems. Please do not defend yourself against the inconvenience of the sanitary regime, which we are introducing primarily for your safety. I wish you many successes in science and satisfaction from belonging to our university community.

During the inauguration, the Secretary of State in the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland, Minister Adam Kwiatkowski, read a commemorative letter that President Andrzej Duda addressed to the Rector of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences and its academic community. Letter

The congratulatory letter of the Prime Minister, Mr. Mateusz Morawiecki, was read by the Vice-Rector for Development, first deputy Rector, prof. Kazimierz Tomala. Letter

On the occasion of the inauguration of the academic year, congratulations and wishes were also sent by:

The Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, Elżbieta Witek Letter
Tomasz Grodzki, Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland
Jarosław Kalinowski, Member of the European Parliament
Wojciech Murdzek, Minister of Science and Higher Education
Konstanty Radziwiłł, the Masovian Voivode
Jarosław Szymczyk, the Police Commander in Chief .

Mateusz Niziołek, Chairman of the University Council of Students’ Self-Government of Warsaw University of Life Sciences, and Chairman of the Doctoral Council of Warsaw University of Life Sciences, M.Sc., addressed the new students and doctoral students in a special way. Jaroslaw Olszewski.

The participants of the inauguration commemorated the memory of 30 members of the university community who died in the last academic year, including the Doctor Honoris Causa of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Professor Jan Boczek and Professor Janusz Kosicki, the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Agriculture in 1978-1981.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by the performances of the Academic Choir of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, conducted by dr. Michał Dąbrowski and the People’s Art Group “Promni” under the direction of Mr. Radosław Puszyło.

They honored the inauguration with their presence:

Secretary of State in the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland Minister Adam Kwiatkowski , Members of the Parliament of the Republic of Poland Joanna Fabisiak and Czesław Siekierski, Vice President of the Polish Academy of Sciences prof. Romuald Zabielski; Chairman of the Central Council of Science and Higher Education prof. Zbigniew Marciniak; Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Warsaw, Msgr. Michał Janocha; Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ms Saule Turginbekova; President of the Polish Rectors Foundation, Rector of the Warsaw University of Technology in 1996-2002 prof. Jerzy Woźnicki; Director of the World Hearing Center, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing prof. Henryk Skarżyński; President of the World Union of Home Army Soldiers, professor emeritus of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, prof. Leszek Żukowski; representative of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tomasz Sińczak.

Honored guests of the inauguration were Rectors: prof. Krzysztof Zaremba (Warsaw University of Technology); Fr. Prof. Ryszard Czekalski (Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University); Fr. Archbishop prof. Jerzy Pańkowski (Christian Theological Academy in Warsaw; prof. Grzegorz Mazurek (Kozminski University); prof. Roman Cieślak (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Social Sciences and Humanities); prof. Barbara Marcinkowska (Maria Grzegorzewska Academy of Special Education); prof. Bartosz Molik (Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw); brig. dr Jarosław Chodorowski (Main School of Fire Service); prof. Mirosław Minkina (University of Natural Sciences and Humanities in Siedlce) and Vice-Rectors of Warsaw universities: prof. Ewa Krogulec (University of Warsaw); prof. Jacek Prokop (Warsaw School of Economics); prof. Wojciech Lisik (Medical University of Warsaw); Fr. Prof. Robert Skrzypczak (Pontifical Faculty of Theology in Warsaw); Fr. Piotr Stępniewski (Higher Theological Seminary of the Warsaw-Prague Diocese); prof. Paweł Gusnar (The Fryderyk Chopin University of Music); prof. Kazimierz Worwa (Military University of Technology Jarosław Dąbrowski; prof. Prot Jarnuszkiewicz (Academy of Fine Arts);

Members of the University Council of SGGW with prof. Mark Bryx at the helm;
Representatives of local government authorities: Secretary M. St. Of Warsaw, Marcin Wojdat; Mayor of the Warsaw-Ursynów District Robert Kempa; Mayor of the Warsaw-Mokotów District Rafał Miastowski;

Rectors of SGGW from previous terms: prof. Włodzimierz Kluciński, member of the University of Life Sciences; prof. Tomasz Borecki, dhc SGGW; prof. Alojzy Szymański; prof. Wiesław Bielawski;
Honoris Causa Doctors of the University: prof. Andrzej Chwalibog and prof. Czesław Waszkiewicz;
representatives of the clergy: the parish priest of the Archcathedral Parish of St. John the Baptist Fr. Prelate Bogdan Bartołd; Parish priest of St. Catherine of Fr. Canon Wojciech Gnidziński;
Mr. Piotr Zakrzewski – deputy director of the Botanical Garden in Powsin.