The University of Zielona Góra has embarked on a new academic year. The official opening ceremony took place on Thursday, 1 October, in the University’s auditorium on Podgórna Street. The event brought together a large number of academic staff and invited guests, as well as students. The University currently has 11,031 students, including 3,786 newly admitted first-year students. It offers degree programmes in 69 fields of study, as well as postgraduate programmes and doctoral schools.
As is customary, one of the highlights of the ceremony was the address delivered by the Rector of the University of Zielona Góra. “I open the 2026/2027 academic year with great joy and hope. May it be a year filled with intensive learning, fruitful work, groundbreaking discoveries and rewarding intellectual journeys. And to you, dear students—especially those beginning your first year—we extend our gratitude for placing your trust in us. Make the most of the knowledge shared by our professors and get involved in academic life. This is your time to make your dreams come true. May the University of Zielona Góra become a place where you create your most cherished memories,” said Professor Wojciech Strzyżewski, Rector of the University of Zielona Góra.
The beginning of a new academic year is also an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the past months. Among the most significant accomplishments was the completion of a comprehensive renovation of the Vicewersal student residence. Another milestone was the completion of the project entitled “Modernisation and Upgrading of Teaching Facilities for the University of Zielona Góra’s Preclinical Sciences Centre”, with a total value of over PLN 25.5 million. “This investment has enabled us to expand and comprehensively equip the Medicine and Physiotherapy programmes, as well as upgrade the Medical Simulation Centre with specialist equipment used across all medical degree programmes. We have also secured more than PLN 11 million in funding for the following projects: ‘UZ Centre for Teaching Excellence’, ‘UZ for Critical Technologies – Biotechnology of the Future’ and ‘CITP – Intelligent Factory’. In addition, six projects under the Interreg VIA Brandenburg–Poland programme and two projects under the European Funds for a Modern Economy programme have continued,” reported Professor Wojciech Strzyżewski, Rector of the University of Zielona Góra.
The University authorities also outlined their priorities for the new academic year. These include launching the renovation of the SBM student residence and modernising other University buildings; implementing the Electronic Document Management (EZD) system efficiently; completing the evaluation of research disciplines; strengthening the University’s cybersecurity; beginning a comprehensive refurbishment of pedestrian routes and lighting on both campuses; and continuing to develop international cooperation.
The new academic year will bring significant changes not only for the University of Zielona Góra, but also for higher education institutions across Poland. Professor Maria Mrówczyńska, DSc, Eng., Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education, attended this year’s inauguration and outlined the plans for the higher education sector nationwide. “This will be a very intensive academic year, with a strong focus on strengthening cybersecurity at Polish universities in response to the need to implement the NIS2 Directive. Additional funding has been allocated for this purpose. We will establish a central centre responsible for cybersecurity in the science sector. We also plan to continue the digital transformation of higher education. On 1 January 2027, electronic diplomas will be introduced. Everyone who has completed a degree will be able to access their diploma electronically through the mObywatel application. This will make it easier to verify the authenticity of diplomas. We are also beginning the academic year with new educational standards for degree programmes that are particularly important to our national economy. All medical programmes are subject to new standards, and we are working on standards for the architecture and veterinary professions. Student accommodation is also a priority for us, and we are funding the renovation of student residences. Currently, 2,500 such facilities are undergoing renovation and modernisation,” emphasised Professor Maria Mrówczyńska, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education.
In addition to the inaugural address and speeches by invited guests, Thursday’s ceremony featured the traditional oath-taking ceremony for students and the matriculation of doctoral students from the University’s doctoral schools. Participants also had the opportunity to attend the annual inaugural lecture. Professor Tomasz Mróz from the Institute of Philosophy at the University of Zielona Góra presented his perspective on the topic “How Philosophy and Science Make Human Life Better (Using the Example of the First Polish Philosopher)”.
The inauguration of the 2026/2027 academic year also provided an occasion to present the “Friend of the University of Zielona Góra” awards. The statuettes were awarded to Marek Cebula, Lubusz Voivode; Sebastian Ciemnoczołowski, Marshal of the Lubusz Voivodeship; and Marcin Pabierowski, Mayor of Zielona Góra.
It is worth emphasising that 2026 is a particularly special year for the University of Zielona Góra, as it marks the 25th anniversary of the University’s establishment. A series of exceptional popular science, cultural and sporting events have already taken place under the anniversary slogan “Inspiring Through Science”. Anniversary celebrations have also been included in the schedule of events for the 2026/2027 academic year.
