Once again, the auditorium of the University of Zielona Góra hosted a graduation ceremony for our students. This time, the ceremony was a particularly special occasion. We celebrated the 15th anniversary of the first graduates of the Nursing Programme. This year’s Nursing graduates also celebrated their achievement, as did, for the first time, graduates of the Midwifery Programme.
The ceremony brought together the authorities of the University of Zielona Góra, Collegium Medicum, and academic staff from the Nursing and Midwifery programmes. As Rector of the University of Zielona Góra, Prof. Wojciech Strzyżewski, emphasised: “These are demanding professions, but they are important and necessary for our society. It is particularly encouraging that the Nursing Programme has attracted considerable interest since it was established at our University. For 15 years now, each year has seen a large group of qualified nurses graduate from the programme.”
This year, the programme was completed by 45 graduates of the Bachelor’s degree programme and 45 graduates of the Master’s degree programme. This is certainly a reason to celebrate. As explained by Dr Joanna Hoffmann-Aulich, Head of the Nursing Fundamentals Unit at the Institute of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum UZ: “Establishing Nursing at the University of Zielona Góra was truly an excellent decision. The programme was established in 2006. We currently have nearly 1,700 graduates who are working in hospitals in Poland and around the world. This demonstrates the strength of our professional staff. A few years ago, we faced a significant staffing problem, as every professional group is ageing, and nurses are no exception.”
Fortunately, today there are many people eagerly awaiting the start of their professional careers. It is also encouraging that they want to remain in our region and provide care to patients here. As Wiktoria Źródłowska, this year’s Nursing graduate, added: “I feel joy, happiness and a sense of fulfilment that I have managed to complete my studies. I would like to work in a hospital, although I have not yet decided where. There are jobs available, so I am optimistic. I plan to stay in Zielona Góra. My family and my life are here. This was my second degree programme, and this time I chose it with my heart. I think every Nursing student would agree that these were three years of hard work, studying and practical training. It was difficult, but a patient’s smile makes it all worthwhile.”
The anniversary celebrations also featured a special lecture entitled “Almost 20 Years Have Passed – or the 15th Cohort of Students…”. Dr Jolanta Chmielowiec, Associate Professor at UZ and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum UZ, and Dr Joanna Hoffmann-Aulich presented the evolution of medical education at the University of Zielona Góra.
UZ Rector Prof. Wojciech Strzyżewski presented awards and distinctions. In recognition of their many years of work and commitment, distinguished lecturers, programme founders and teachers of practical vocational training were honoured, including Dr Joanna Hoffmann-Aulich, MA Grażyna Milewska-Wilk, Dr Justyna Jasik-Pyzdrowska, Dr Monika Lato-Pawłowska and Dr Iwona Bonikowska. Students were also recognised for their activities and for achieving the highest grade point averages.
For the first time, the University of Zielona Góra held a graduation ceremony for the Midwifery Programme. A total of 26 students completed the Bachelor’s degree programme. As Dr Monika Lato-Pawłowska, Head of the Midwifery Unit at the Institute of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum UZ, summarised: “This is an exceptionally important day for us. After many years, the first midwives have graduated from the University of Zielona Góra. Education in this programme has been offered since 2023, so this is the first cohort to complete the programme. The first midwives educated at UZ will join the workforce of hospitals in the Lubusz region, which is a great source of satisfaction. It is a beautiful mission and a very important profession. There has been a strong demand for this profession in the Lubusz Voivodeship for many years. This is due to the fact that the average age of midwives – similarly to nurses – is now around 50.”
This year’s graduates are delighted to be embarking on their professional careers. Among them is Zuzanna Zielińska, who emphasises that the programme was demanding but also highly rewarding: “From the first year of our studies, we have been in hospitals continuously. There was a great deal of practical training. We spent a lot of time in delivery rooms, gynaecology and pregnancy pathology units, as well as in wards focused primarily on nursing, where we cannot work professionally, but the knowledge we gained will certainly be useful to us. This is a wonderful profession. What we will be doing is wonderful. We are there for women throughout their lives. Our support does not end with pregnancy – we are really there at every stage. I think choosing this programme was absolutely the right decision. My friends and I cannot wait to start working.”
The highlight of the ceremony was the Oath and Capping Ceremony. The ceremony was conducted by Dr Justyna Jasik-Pyzdrowska, Vice-Dean for Teaching at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum UZ. The symbolic placing of caps and attaching of nursing badges is a traditional ceremony marking the entry of Nursing and Midwifery graduates into their professions. The Nurses’ and Midwives’ Hymn was also performed.
Congratulations to the new midwives, nurses and nursing professionals were extended by Lubusz Voivode’s Deputy Maciej Siwicki, Deputy Marshal of the Lubusz Voivodeship Grzegorz Potęga, as well as representatives of the Regional Chamber of Nurses and Midwives, directors of hospitals in the Lubusz region and representatives of medical centres in the region.
