The inauguration of the 2025/2026 academic year at the University of Zielona Góra has taken place. As tradition dictates, the ceremony was held in the university auditorium at 50 Podgórna Street. The event was attended by the university authorities, students, staff, and invited guests.
At the outset, the Rector of the University of Zielona Góra emphasized that this will be an exceptional academic year, due to several upcoming anniversaries. In November, the university will celebrate 10 years since the launch of its medical program. In June, the 25th anniversary of the University of Zielona Góra will be commemorated, along with the 60th anniversary of the academic community in Zielona Góra.
One of the key moments of the inauguration is the Rector’s annual speech. This year, Prof. Wojciech Strzyżewski, highlighted the university’s recent achievements. "It is worth mentioning the funds obtained from the National Recovery Plan (KPO) for the project 'Modernization and Equipping of the Teaching Base for the Needs of the Preclinical Science Center at UZ.' The funding amounts to over 21.5 million PLN. The investment will benefit medical programs by improving the quality of preclinical education and research," said the Rector.
A significant part of the inaugural speech also focused on plans for the 2025/2026 academic year. "Among the most important tasks for the coming academic year are preparing for the next evaluation of the university’s scientific activity and completing the renovation of the Vicewersal dormitory. This will be the next 'self-service' dormitory, after the 'Rzepicha' Student House, equipped with a full Access Control System. In the coming years, we also plan to modernize the SBM Student House, with a funding application already submitted to the Ministry of Education and Science. Another key task is the comprehensive modernization of facilities for preclinical education. Work is already underway and must be completed by mid-next year. For the first time, we have obtained funding for public research infrastructure, co-financed by the EU under the 'European Funds for Lubuskie 2021-2027' program, totaling 17 million PLN. Plans also include opening a second Welcome Center on our campus, providing a modern support space for students, doctoral candidates, researchers, and international staff, this time on Campus A," listed Prof. Strzyżewski.
As the tradition, the inauguration also included the matriculation ceremony, during which students and doctoral candidates take their formal oaths. Currently, the student body at UZ numbers over 10,500, including nearly 3,600 first-year students.
The Wednesday ceremony at Podgórna Street also featured the inaugural lecture. This year, it was delivered by Prof. Jarosław Hiczkiewicz, Head of the Department of Interventional Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery at the Institute of Medical Sciences, Collegium Medicum UZ. His lecture focused on the greatest challenges in modern cardiology.
The ceremony concluded with the performance of Gaudeamus Igitur by the University of Zielona Góra Academic Choir under the direction of Dr. Łucja Nowak, PhD, DSc, Prof. UZ from the Institute of Music.
On the same day, the UZ Institute of Music Big Band invited attendees to the inaugural concert titled “Encore Diplomas.” The performance featured this year’s graduates as soloists, accompanied by the Institute of Music Big Band under the direction of Prof. Jerzy Szymaniuk, and Seweryn Granias. The concert presented student compositions as well as classic standards.
