Central inauguration ceremony of the Academic Year 2022/23 at Teatr Polski in Warsaw

On 26 October, at Arnold Szyfman Theatre in Warsaw, Uczelnia Biznesu i Nauk Stosowanych „Varsovia” held the inauguration of its new Academic Year 2022/23. The gala, which was hosted by Mr Zygmunt Chajzer, had a very rich programme of events, including official presentation of state and occasional awards, such as Uczelnia Biznesu i Nauk Stosowanych „Varsovia” Success Medals, appointment by HM Provost of Uczelnia Biznesu i Nauk Stosowanych „Varsovia”, prof. dr hab. Paweł Czarnecki, of new members to the University Business Consultative Council, matriculation of new students as well as inaugural lecture entitled “Retirement prospects in Poland” delivered by prof. dr hab. Gertruda Uścińska, President of the Social Insurance Institution. The gala was crowned with a beautiful music performance by Mr Grzegorz Hyży.

“Throughout all of its branches, Uczelnia Biznesu i Nauk Stosowanych „Varsovia” is currently educating twenty-one thousand students, both full-time and part-time, Bachelor and Master’s, including about six thousand foreign students. The new academic year will see around seven thousand first-year students. This clearly proves that what we do is right, because if it were not, no one would apply to us,” said prof. Czarnecki.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of the Archbishop of Warsaw, HE Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz, who offered his pastoral blessing to those present. “The Church is looking for horizons of integration between various fields of science in order to achieve as much as possible for the greater good of men. I wish the academic community that higher education always appreciates the specificity of the humanities, which are needed in a practical way, a way that is different to that of sciences, for the development of the humanity and its culture, because preparing a person for a successful life is not only about transferring professional knowledge,” emphasised HE Cardinal Nycz.

On behalf of the Minister of Education and Science and Member of the Parliament of Poland, prof. dr hab. Przemysław Czarnek, Director General of the Ministry of Science and Education, Mr Sławomir Adamiec, presented a Diploma of Recognition to the Provost of Uczelnia Biznesu i Nauk Stosowanych „Varsovia”. The Secretary of State in the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy then presented state decorations to the following persons: prof. Małgorzata Dubis, MBA, Vice Provost of Uczelnia Biznesu i Nauk Stosowanych „Varsovia” – Branch in Rzeszów, who was awarded with the Silver Cross of Merit, Ms Anna Ćwiek, Director of the Main Library of Uczelnia Biznesu i Nauk Stosowanych „Varsovia” in Warsaw, who was awarded with the Gold Medal for Long Services, prof. Arkadiusz Durasiewicz, MBA, DBA, Vice Provost of Uczelnia Biznesu i Nauk Stosowanych „Varsovia” for Student Affairs and Science, who was awarded with the Medal of the National Education Commission, prof. Henryk Pietrzak from Uczelnia Biznesu i Nauk Stosowanych „Varsovia” – Branch in Rzeszów and advisor to the Minister of Education and Science, who was awarded with the Medal of the National Education Commission.

Later during the event, HM Provost of Uczelnia Biznesu i Nauk Stosowanych „Varsovia”, prof. dr hab. Paweł Czarnecki, presented Uczelnia Biznesu i Nauk Stosowanych „Varsovia” Medals of Success. The Gold Medal of Success of Uczelnia Biznesu i Nauk Stosowanych „Varsovia” was awarded by a decision of the Senate of Uczelnia Biznesu i Nauk Stosowanych „Varsovia” to dr h.c. prof. RNDr. Michal Tkáč CSc, Dean at Podnikovohospodarska Fakulta Kosice and Member of Uczelnia Biznesu i Nauk Stosowanych „Varsovia” Business Consultative Council. The Gold Medal of Success of Uczelnia Biznesu i Nauk Stosowanych „Varsovia” is the highest distinction awarded in recognition of cooperation and commitment to the development of our University. Another Gold Medal of Success was also awarded to Vysoka škola zdravotníctva a sociálnej práce sv. Alžbety v Bratislave. The award was handed to the Rector of the University, prof. dr hab. med. sc. Juraj Benca.

Moreover, prof. Uczelnia Biznesu i Nauk Stosowanych „Varsovia” handed new appointments to Uczelnia Biznesu i Nauk Stosowanych „Varsovia” Business Consultative Council to the following persons: prof. dr hab. Gertruda Uścińska, President of the Social Insurance Institution, HE Piotr Kocoń, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Uzbekistan and President of the Management Board at Świat Przesyłek, Mr Andrzej Wodzyński, President of Tubądziń Group, and Mr Rafał Baniak, President of Employers of Poland, who delivered a speech at the gala.

“As Employers of Poland, we want to support you, dear students, in your development so that to be its integral part, because it is thanks to the synergy of such activities that we can equip students with the necessary competences that will respond to the challenges of a truly modern economy. I am at your disposal and so is my institution,” indicated Mr Baniak.

We also saw the following persons deliver interesting notes to the audience: prof. h.c. dr h.c. Andrzej Kraśnicki, President of the Polish Olympic Committee and Honorary Professor of Uczelnia Biznesu i Nauk Stosowanych „Varsovia”, Senior Brigade Manager dr eng. Wojciech Jarosz, Vice Rector for Education and Students at the Main School of Fire Services (on behalf of HM Chief Brigade Manager dr eng. Mariusz Feltynowski, Rector Commandant at the Main School of Fire Services), Ms Mariola Łodzińska, Member of Uczelnia Biznesu i Nauk Stosowanych „Varsovia” Business Consultative Council and Vice President of the Supreme Council of Nurses and Midwives, Mr Wiesław Włodek, Vice President of the Management Board at Poczta Polska and Member of Uczelnia Biznesu i Nauk Stosowanych „Varsovia” Business Consultative Council.

The inaugural lecture, entitled “Retirement prospects in Poland” was delivered by the President of the Social Insurance Institution, prof. dr hab. Gertruda Uścińska.

The focal point of the ceremony was the matriculation of first-year students. On behalf of the new

students, the oaths were taken by Wiktoria Zakrzewska, Agnieszka Oczykowska, Paulina Książek, Dominika Pieprzowska, Aleksandra Becher, Michał Baranowski, Julia Pietras, Patrycja Banaszek and Maciej Kamiński.

Our new first-year students were then welcomed by Mr Sebastian Krauz, President of the Student Union at Uczelnia Biznesu i Nauk Stosowanych „Varsovia”.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by a performance of the Choir from the Archcathedral of Warsaw, which performed Gaude Mater Polonia, Bogurodzica, Gaudeamus Igitur and Magne Operam. The inauguration was concluded with a concert by Mr Grzegorz Hyży.