The University of Zielona Góra has held its Doctoral and Habilitation Promotion Ceremony. The event took place on Thursday, 20 November, at the University Rectorate. Five individuals received their habilitated doctor diplomas, and fifteen were awarded the degree of doctor. Among the honourees were ten employees of our University. All degrees were conferred between October 2024 and September 2025 by the University Senate and the respective Scientific Discipline Councils.
As tradition dictates, the ceremony began with the ceremonial entrance of the University banner and the academic procession. The official opening was delivered by Professor Wojciech Strzyżewski, Rector of the University of Zielona Góra.
“You are the best proof to those who doubt the potential of science. Today, when scientific research is sometimes questioned and conspiracy theories arise, you have earned your degrees and demonstrated the importance of science. My heartfelt congratulations go to you. I also thank your families, who have undoubtedly supported you throughout your journey towards the doctoral and habilitated doctoral degrees. Today’s ceremony crowns a long road filled with challenges and hard work,” said Rector Strzyżewski.
Special words of recognition for the new doctors and habilitated doctors were also expressed by Professor Justyna Patalas-Maliszewska, Vice-Rector for Science and International Cooperation.
“It is an honour to accompany you during today’s ceremony. The diplomas you are receiving are the result of responsible and highly demanding work. They represent your passion, commitment, and willingness to take on major challenges. You have persevered despite the difficulties encountered along the way. With determination and patience, you have reached the finish line and earned your degrees. Please accept my sincere congratulations. I wish you continued success—do not lose your optimism, curiosity, and energy. Be proud of the challenges you undertake and the goals you accomplish. Today we have also seen how important it is to pass on knowledge, develop new solutions, and uphold the academic tradition. This ceremony shows how meaningful this moment is for our academic community,” she emphasised.
The newly promoted academics also addressed the audience. Speaking on behalf of the habilitated doctors, Dr. Ewaryst Kowalczyk highlighted the significance of the achievement.
“Today we celebrate years of intensive work. Each of us has followed a demanding path that has now reached a beautiful conclusion. This is not only a formal distinction but a confirmation of our scientific maturity. Reaching this stage is never accidental—our contributions now form an original and significant body of work within our disciplines. Let us remember, however, that with our new degrees comes the shared responsibility for influencing future generations of researchers,” he said.
Representing the newly promoted doctors, Dr. Maria Forycka-Ast spoke about the scientific potential of the University.
“It is thanks to this institution that we were able to pursue our research ambitions. We are grateful for the supportive and creative environment that guided us through every stage of our work. We thank our supervisors and all those who encouraged and supported us—your involvement and care continuously improved our research skills. We also thank our families for their presence, patience, and emotional support. Your belief in us helped us face each new challenge,” she said.
Let us recall that the doctoral degree at the University of Zielona Góra may currently be obtained in two modes: through doctoral education at the UZ Doctoral School or in the external (extramural) mode.
List of recipients of habilitated doctor diplomas
Dr hab. Jolanta Skierska, Professor of UZ
Awarded the degree of habilitated doctor in the humanities, in the discipline of history.
Title of scientific achievement: Social Security of the Inhabitants of Zielona Góra in the Years 1945–1970.
Reviewers: Dr hab. Przemysław Wywiał (University of the National Education Commission in Kraków),
Prof. Dr hab. Tadeusz Wolsza (Tadeusz Manteuffel Institute of History, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw),
Dr hab. Antonina Kozyrska (Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń),
Prof. Dr hab. Grzegorz Strauchold (University of Wrocław).
Dr hab. Andrey Kotin, Professor of UZ
Awarded the degree of habilitated doctor in the humanities, in the discipline of literary studies.
Title of scientific achievement: Artistic Identity as a Transcultural Phenomenon – German–Russian Literary Interactions.
Reviewers: Prof. Dr hab. Leszek Żyliński (Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń),
Prof. Dr hab. Grażyna Szewczyk (University of Warsaw),
Dr hab. Zbigniew Feliszewski, Prof. UŚ (University of Silesia in Katowice),
Prof. Dr hab. Maria Wojtczak (Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań).
Dr hab. Agnieszka Kania-Chramęga, Professor of UZ
Awarded the degree of habilitated doctor in the social sciences, in the discipline of legal sciences.
Title of scientific achievement: Trends in the Development of Criminal Law and Their Evaluation (Key Issues from the Perspective of the Criminal Code of 1997).
Reviewers: Prof. Dr hab. Celina Nowak (Institute of Legal Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw),
Dr hab. Dariusz Jagiełło, Prof. USWPS (SWPS University, Warsaw),
Dr hab. Krzysztof Wiak, Prof. KUL (John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin),
Dr hab. Adam Kwieciński, Prof. UWr (University of Wrocław).
Dr hab. Ewaryst Kowalczyk, Professor of UZ
Awarded the degree of habilitated doctor in the social sciences, in the discipline of legal sciences.
Title of scientific achievement: Equal Treatment Obligations for Public Procurement Applicants.
Reviewers: Prof. Dr hab. Katarzyna Kopaczyńska-Pieczniak (Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin),
Dr hab. Paweł Nowicki, Prof. UMK (Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń),
Dr hab. Wojciech Gonet, Prof. UwS (University of Siedlce),
Dr hab. Hanna Wolska, Prof. UG (University of Gdańsk).
Dr hab. Anna Owsian, Professor of UZ
Awarded the degree of habilitated doctor in the arts, in the discipline of visual arts and art conservation.
Title of scientific achievement: Multifunctionality as a Determinant in Furniture Design.
Reviewers: Prof. Dr hab. Czesława Frejlich (Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków),
Prof. Dr hab. Andrzej Banachowicz (Magdalena Abakanowicz University of the Arts in Poznań),
Prof. Dr hab. Jacek Siwczyński (Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków),
Dr hab. Piotr Szwiec (University of the Arts in Poznań).
List of recipients of doctoral diplomas
Dr Kamil Kontorski, Eng.
Awarded the degree of doctor of engineering and technical sciences, in the discipline of automation, electronics, electrical engineering and space technologies.
Title of doctoral dissertation: Analysis and Investigation of the Digital Properties of Unbalanced Impedance Comparators.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr hab. Eng. Ryszard Rybski (University of Zielona Góra).
Reviewers: Prof. Dr hab. Eng. Marian Kampik (Silesian University of Technology),
Dr hab. Eng. Jerzy Augustyn, Prof. PŚk (Kielce University of Technology).
Dr Piotr Tetlak, Eng.
Awarded the degree of doctor of engineering and technical sciences, in the discipline of automation, electronics, electrical engineering and space technologies.
Title of distinguished doctoral dissertation: Improving the Energy Efficiency of an Electromagnetic Relay.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr hab. Eng. Robert Smoleński (University of Zielona Góra).
Auxiliary supervisor: Dr Eng. Piotr Leżyński (University of Zielona Góra).
Reviewers: Prof. Dr hab. Eng. Krzysztof Szabat (Wrocław University of Science and Technology),
Dr hab. Eng. Paweł Dworak, Prof. ZUT (West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin),
Dr hab. Eng. Adam Peneczek, Prof. AGH (AGH University of Kraków).
Dr Łukasz Augustowski
Awarded the degree of doctor of social sciences, in the discipline of economics and finance.
Title of distinguished doctoral dissertation: Valuation of Environmental Public Goods: The Case of the Muskau Park.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr hab. Eng. Piotr Kułyk (University of Zielona Góra).
Reviewers: Dr hab. Agnieszka Brelik, Prof. ZUT (West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin),
Prof. Dr hab. Piotr Bórawski (University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn),
Dr hab. Łukasz Popławski, Prof. UEK (Cracow University of Economics).
Dr Rafał Kozłowski
Awarded the degree of doctor of the humanities, in the discipline of philosophy.
Title of doctoral dissertation: The Reception of Totalitarianism in Polish Interwar Philosophy. A Study of the Political Philosophy of Kazimierz Czapiński.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr hab. Stefan Konstańczak (University of Zielona Góra).
Reviewers: Dr hab. Jerzy Kojkoł, Prof. AMW (Polish Naval Academy, Gdynia),
Dr hab. Tomasz Czakon, Prof. UŚ (University of Silesia in Katowice),
Dr hab. Piotr Domeracki, Prof. UMK (Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń).
Dr Mariam Sargsyan
Awarded the degree of doctor of the humanities, in the discipline of philosophy.
Title of distinguished doctoral dissertation: Henryk Jakubanis (1879–1949) as a Scholar of Ancient Philosophy and Its Reception.
Supervisor: Dr hab. Tomasz Mróz, Prof. UZ (University of Zielona Góra).
Reviewers: Prof. Dr hab. Zbigniew Nerczuk (Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń),
Dr hab. Steffen Huber, Prof. UJ (Jagiellonian University),
Dr hab. Wiesława Sajdek, Prof. UJD (Jan Długosz University in Częstochowa).
Dr Jerzy Farys
Awarded the degree of doctor of the humanities, in the discipline of history.
Title of doctoral dissertation: The History of the Turawa Region within the Boundaries of the Roman Catholic Parish of Kotorz Wielki near Opole from the Middle Ages to the Present.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr hab. Urszula Świderska-Włodarczyk (University of Zielona Góra).
Reviewers: Dr hab. Marek Białokruk, Prof. UO (University of Opole),
Rev. Prof. Dr hab. Andrzej Hanich (Retired Professor, Silesian Institute in Opole),
Dr hab. Kazimiera Jaworska, Prof. PWT (Pontifical Faculty of Theology in Wrocław).
Dr Joanna Gogol
Awarded the degree of doctor of the natural sciences, in the discipline of biological sciences.
Title of doctoral dissertation: Resources, Threats and Conservation of the Roman Snail (Helix pomatia L.) in Selected Provinces as the Basis for Determining Its Harvesting Limits.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr hab. Jerzy Błoszyk (Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań).
Reviewers: Prof. Dr hab. Jarosław Kobak (Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń),
Prof. Dr hab. Eng. Dariusz Gwiazdowicz (Poznań University of Life Sciences).
Dr Tomasz Rutkowski
Awarded the degree of doctor of the natural sciences, in the discipline of biological sciences.
Title of distinguished doctoral dissertation: A Unique Assemblage of Mites of the Suborder Uropodina (Acari: Mesostigmata) in the Leon Wyczółkowski Cisy Staropolskie Reserve in Wierzchlas.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr hab. Jerzy Błoszyk (Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań).
Reviewers: Prof. Dr hab. Sławomir Kaczmarek (Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz),
Dr hab. Daniel Kubisz (Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków).
Dr Michał Szkudlarek
Awarded the degree of doctor of the natural sciences, in the discipline of biological sciences.
Title of distinguished doctoral dissertation: Microplastic Pollution in Amphibians (Amphibia) in Western Poland.
Supervisor: Dr hab. Bartłomiej Najbar, Prof. UZ (University of Zielona Góra).
Reviewers: Prof. Dr hab. Piotr Zieliński (University of Łódź),
Dr hab. Piotr Profus (Retired Professor, Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków),
Dr hab. Agnieszka Greń, Prof. UKEN (University of the National Education Commission in Kraków).
Dr Maria Forycka-Ast, MD
Awarded the degree of doctor of medical and health sciences, in the discipline of medical sciences.
Title of doctoral dissertation: Attitudes of Medical Students from Various Countries, Polish Philology Students and Junior Doctors towards Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide and Palliative Care.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr hab. n. med. Wojciech Leppert (University of Zielona Góra).
Reviewers: Prof. Dr hab. n. med. Jerzy Wordliczek (Jagiellonian University),
Dr hab. n. med. Aleksandra Kładna, Prof. PUM (Pomeranian Medical University),
Dr hab. Magdalena Błażek, Prof. GUMed (Medical University of Gdańsk).
Dr Katarzyna Łasińska, Eng.
Awarded the degree of doctor of social sciences, in the discipline of political science and public administration.
Title of doctoral dissertation: Financing the Higher Education Sector in Poland’s Public Policy, 2010–2023: The Case of the University of Zielona Góra.
Supervisor: Dr hab. Piotr Kwiatkiewicz, Prof. UAM (Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań).
Reviewers: Dr hab. Szymon Ossowski, Prof. UAM (Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań),
Dr hab. Robert Kłaczyński, Prof. UKEN (University of the National Education Commission in Kraków),
Dr hab. Andrzej Potoczek, Prof. AJ (Jagiellonian Academy).
Dr Karolina Gębska
Awarded the degree of doctor of social sciences, in the discipline of management and quality studies.
Title of doctoral dissertation: Determinants of Cooperation between Universities and Enterprises in Regional Smart Specialisations: The Case of the Lubuskie Voivodeship.
Supervisor: Dr hab. Eng. Wiesław Danielak, Prof. UZ (University of Zielona Góra).
Reviewers: Dr hab. Arkadiusz Wierzbic, Prof. UEW (Wrocław University of Economics),
Dr hab. Eng. Ewa Więcek-Janka, Prof. PP (Poznań University of Technology).
Dr Michał Kurzawski
Awarded the degree of doctor of social sciences, in the discipline of management and quality studies.
Title of doctoral dissertation: Strategic Management of the Development of the Greater Poland Voivodeship under Conditions of Convergence.
Supervisor: Dr hab. Eng. Przemysław Niewiadomski, Prof. UZ (University of Zielona Góra).
Reviewers: Prof. Dr hab. Eng. Adam Jabłoński (WSB Merito University in Poznań),
Dr hab. Andrzej J. Kozłowski, Prof. PANS (Ignacy Mościcki State Academy of Applied Sciences in Ciechanów).
Dr Ewa Banasiak-Macherska
Awarded the degree of doctor of social sciences, in the discipline of pedagogy.
Title of doctoral dissertation: Determinants of the Socio-Professional Development of Female Teachers–Speech Therapists in Biographical Narratives.
Supervisor: Dr hab. Mirosław Kowalski, Prof. UZ (University of Zielona Góra).
Reviewers: Dr hab. Barbara Jankowiak, Prof. UAM (Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań),
Dr hab. Danuta Wosik-Kawala, Prof. UMCS (Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin),
Dr hab. Janusz Miąso, Prof. UR (University of Rzeszów).
Dr Jakub Niewiński
Awarded the degree of doctor of social sciences, in the discipline of pedagogy.
Title of doctoral dissertation: Intercultural Sensitivity of Pupils and Students from Poland and Ukraine at Different Stages of Education in Poland.
Supervisor: Dr hab. Ewa Pasterniak-Kobyłecka, Prof. UZ (University of Zielona Góra).
Reviewers: Prof. Dr hab. Agnieszka Gromkowska-Melosik (Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań),
Dr hab. Martyna Pryszmont, Prof. UWr (University of Wrocław),
Dr hab. Sławomir Śliwa, Prof. ANS-WSZiA (Academy of Applied Sciences, School of Management and Administration in Opole).
