On 3 October, the new academic year 2016/2017 was officially opened. The guest speaker for the occasion was Prof. Dariusz Stola. In her address, CC President Prof. Jadwiga Koralewicz recalled the very first inauguration, which took place 20 years ago.
In 1997, the then co-founder and first rector—and currently CC President—Prof. Jadwiga Koralewicz initiated activities at the university with ambitious teaching and research goals. After two decades of growth, in close continuous cooperation with five scientific institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN), Collegium Civitas is constantly developing while delivering a top international level of education to its students. You can read more about the results of a satisfaction survey on studying at Collegium Civitas here (9 out of 10 students are satisfied with their degree courses at Collegium Civitas).
Prof. Jadwiga Koralewicz recalled the early days of the university’s existence as well as the ideals that have infused the creation of its first teaching programmes and subsequent work with students. She stressed the role of co-founder and later rector the late Edmund Wnuk–Lipiński in the creation and development of Collegium Civitas. His thoughts and warm open attitude to students is, to this day, one of the most recognizable features of the university.
Collegium Civitas is above all about people. Thanks to lecturers, administrative staff and the consecutive annual intake of students, our university is a place where a person not only studies but also contributes to building a community. Prof. Jadwiga Koralewicz reminded the audience her motto from the beginning of the university’s existence: “the first and most important source of information and opinion about the university is its students”. The current rector, Prof. Stanisław Mocek expanded on this thought, adding: “the first group constitutes enrolled and unenrolled students; the second, graduates; and the third, lecturers—but all three are equally important.” The uniqueness of the university has always been its qualified staff, internationalization and emphasis on interdisciplinary education.
The inaugural lecture entitled “What is the Point of History? On the Benefits of Learning about the Past” was given by Prof. Dariusz Stola, professor at PAN’s Institute of Political Studies (ISP), Collegium Civitas vice-rector and lecturer in 2002-2011, and currently director of POLIN, the Museum of the History of Polish Jews.
The ceremony was presented by CC employees Olga Vyshnevska and Daniel Stefański. The musical programme was delivered by the choir Ars Cantata.
The letters only in Polish:
Letter related to the inauguration of the academic year—Prime Minister Jarosław Gowin