Rector of the University of Opole: Together we make history

In a beautiful setting, following the academic ceremony, with the participation of distinguished guests, we entered the new academic year 2022/2023. The ceremonial inauguration took place on 4 October at the Lecture Theatre of the Faculty of Theology. 

The guests were addressed by Rector Marek Masnyk: "I welcome you to one of the most significant events of the academic year. You are important guests for us, your presence is an expression of devotion to the academic community. I also warmly welcome the staff of our university, students, and doctoral candidates."

Numerous and distinguished guests

The ceremony was attended by, among others: Zuzanna Donath-Kasiura - Vice Marshall of the Opole Voivodship, Tomasz Witkowski - Vice Governor of the Opole Voivodship, Arkadiusz Wiśniewski - President of Opole, Peter Herr - Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Opole, Leonard Malcharczyk - Head of the Diplomatic Protocol of the Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany in Opole. 

There were also representatives of the rectoral authorities of the allied universities, including, among others, Prof. Marcin Lorenc - Rector of Technical University of Opole, Dr. Tadeusz Pokusa - Vice-Rector of the Academy of Management and Administration of Opole, Dr. Przemysław Malinowski - Rector of the State Academy of Applied Sciences in Nysa, Dr. Katarzyna Mizera - dean of the Faculty of Economics at the WSB University in Opole, ks.Wojciech Maciążek - Rector of the Higher Interdiocesan Seminary in Opole. 

The invitation was also accepted by Prof. Józef Musielok - Rector of UO in 2002-2005. 

Among the guests were also: the school superintendent Aleksander Iszczuk and the principals of Opole's secondary schools, representatives of local authorities, uniformed services, enterprises, companies, cultural and art institutions, health care institutions, and the National Health Fund. 

Together we make history 

In his inaugural speech, the Rector mentioned, among other things, the very promising evaluation results of the UO, the university's significant rise in the ranking of the Educational Foundation "Perspektywy", the support university provided to refugees from Afghanistan, and to a large number of war refugees from Ukraine. Furthermore, he spoke about the difficulties of functioning under conditions of pandemic and war beyond the eastern border. 

The Rector also commemorated the university's employees who had passed away during the past academic year. Participants of the ceremony honoured their memory with a minute of silence.  

"The University of Opole is still - and I am sure it will continue to be - an attractive place to study," said the Rector. In the academic year 2021/2022, 9332 students were studying here (according to the GUS S-10 report of 31 December 2021). 10,252 candidates applied for admission to bachelor's and long-cycle master's degree programmes (2848 were admitted), further 875 candidates were admitted to master's studies out of 1,320 applicants.

Studies at the University of Opole are attractive to foreign citizens. Last year, 1220 candidates applied for admission, and 424 were admitted. Our educational offer includes numerous English-language programmes. However, the epidemic situation has undoubtedly had and continues to have an impact on the recruitment of students, mainly foreigners. Last year, 38 doctoral students were studying at the doctoral school. This academic year, 10,662 candidates applied for admission. Eventually, 2,865 students were admitted to bachelor's and long-cycle master's degree programmes and 432 for master's studies. This makes a total of 3,400 students, including 450 foreigners.

As we slowly approach the university's 30th anniversary, we can feel proud of the achievements of our academic community. At the same time, this pride is accompanied by modesty. We realistically assess our place on the academic map of the country, and we are aware of how much still lies ahead of us. "The University is Us" - this is how I entitled my election program for the second term two years ago. Today I would add: "Together we make history."

Later in the ceremony, Professor Jacek Lipok, Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, read out congratulatory letters sent to the UO on the occasion of the inauguration.

Congratulations, acknowledgments, wishes

Guests at the ceremony also made speeches.

"This year's inauguration coincides with the Nobel week," said Vice-Governor Tomasz Witkowski. "After listening to the Rector's report, I realized what a great impact the academic community has on our region. I wish science in Opole to flourish. The UO is a valuable and reliable partner for many joint projects."

Deputy Marshal of the Voivodeship Zuzanna Donath-Kasiura began her speech by thanking and congratulating UO "for the excellent position in the rankings, for the high quality of scientific research, which proves that in compact Opole you can conduct research and teach on a high level. I congratulate and thank you, also for having passed another exam of humanity by helping war refugees. I wish you a good academic year!"

President Arkadiusz Wisniewski also emphasized that the rise in the rankings and the good evaluation results are the outcomes of the joint efforts of the academic community. "You have been phenomenal in your efforts to help refugees from Ukraine," he also stated. He wished the students and staff a fruitful academic year and job satisfaction. 

Bishop Andrzej Czaja, Bishop of the Diocese of Opole and Grand Chancellor of the Faculty of Theology, was the last to speak.

"I agree with the words of appreciation and congratulations expressed here. I wish your work to be fruitful as before. There are great challenges ahead. The level of our security has recently declined significantly; this has been affected by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The resulting consequences require us to reflect more deeply on the meaning of life. Let us reflect on the need to be open to the other person, to live in peace and harmony, which is my wish for the academic community."

The oath - symbol, rights, duties 

An important moment of the inauguration ceremony was the oath of the first-year students, which was received by Prof. Izabella Pisarek, Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students. 

Rector Masnyk personally welcomed students into the academic community.

The newly admitted students, but also the entire academic community, were addressed by Franciszek Posacki, Chair of the Students’ Union.

"The new academic year is an extraordinary time that brings many challenges. There is a war going on beyond our eastern border. Hundreds of our students have become involved in helping refugees from Ukraine, and let this attitude of theirs continue to be a role model that we should follow. In dark times, we must not lack empathy. In the face of an uncertain future, this is very important. But after all, we have the power to change the future, it is in our hands and minds."

The final stage of the ceremony was the inaugural lecture "Do you really live twice? Transplantology from the perspective of the patient and his/her doctor", delivered by Sławomir Żegleń, MD, PhD, Assoc. Prof. 

The inaugural ceremony ended with the traditional "Gaudeamus igitur".  Musical accompaniment was provided, as usual, by the academic choir "Dramma per Musica".

Inauguration of the 2022/2023 academic year (film)