Rector, prof. Teofil Jesionowski, inaugurated the new academic year, thanking students that they chose the Poznan University of Technology. All inauguration you can find HERE.

Immatriculation, a lecture on "Fiction in the service of democracy" by prof. Ryszard Koziołek, the rector of the University of Silesia, and the presentation of diplomas and awards at the Poznan University of Technology inaugurated the new academic year.

Prof. Teofil Jesionowski, the rector of the Poznan University of Technology, recalled in his speech that last year the focus was primarily on ensuring a very good level of education. According to the rector, society should benefit from the development of science, including extremely important vaccinations against the COVID-19 virus. "Let us be responsible for others" - added prof. Teofil Jesionowski. "Our mission is education, research and development" - he noted.

A few days ago, the rectors of Poznan universities signed a letter of intent to establish the Poznan Federal University. The Federation is to deal with the commercialization and promotion of research results, education of doctoral students, and artistic activity. "This is undoubtedly a crucial step in the development of science in the region" - emphasized the rector. Finally, the rector thanked the new students for choosing the Poznan University of Technology.

Aneta Niestrawska, the Deputy Voivode of Greater Poland, read the letter of Przemysław Czarnek, the Minister of Education and Science, addressed to the academic community. “We have another year ahead of us in which we will certainly continue to face the COVID-19 pandemic. But we are richer in the experience to date (…) I am convinced that it will be a year of growth for Polish universities, ”wrote the Minister of Education and Science.

Joanna Musielak, president of the University Council, member of the board of VW Poznan, said that reality prompts us to take new actions. “We must have a different approach to the world around us. New business models emerge, the development of competencies looks different (…) We have to be open to changes, we have to be open to other people ”. University Council chairwoman emphasized that nowadays it is extremely important to invest in competencies such as communication and acceptance. “Democracy is primarily about respect for other views. In addition, we must teach critical thinking skills (...) The essential innovation lies in the cooperation of the world of science and business, it is sharing views and learning from each other ”. Joanna Musielak also added “Combining education with practice is the key to success. This is happening at the Poznan University of Technology. Business is searching for young and talented people”. The Poznan University of Technology is an excellent, modern university, take the chance to study here. You are our future. Keep your minds open”.

Wojciech Charoński, chairman of the Students’ Union, thanked the university authorities for their cooperation. He wished his colleagues perseverance. “I am glad that you chose the Poznan University of Technology, it is a university that favours our students. Remember that studying is not only about classes, it is a great period of self-discovery. Finally, there is the Students' Union, where one can exercise organizational skills. It is in your hands what you will benefit from".

During the ceremony, medals were awarded to distinguished graduates of the Poznan University of Technology: Oliwia Degórska - a graduate of the Faculty of Chemical Technology, Damian Hornie - a graduate of the Faculty of Computing and Telecommunications, Mateusz Piechocki - a graduate of the Faculty of Automatic Control, Robotics and Electrical Engineering, Bartosz Ptak - a graduate of the Faculty of Automatic Control, Robotics and Electrical Engineering, Joanna Sepełowska, a graduate of the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy.

In addition, awards and congratulatory letters for outstanding academic performances were also honoured: Paulina Baczyńska - a graduate of the Faculty of Engineering Management, Daniel Mokrzan - a graduate of the Faculty of Civil and Transport Engineering, Justyna Polcyn - a graduate of the Faculty of Engineering Management, and Dorota Justyna Tomczak - a graduate of the Faculty of Materials Engineering and Technical Physics.

The Rector also distinguished the best athletes: Michał Kotkowski from the Faculty of Computing and Telecommunications - participant of the Paralympic Games in Tokyo, medalist of the European Para Athletics Championships in 200 m and 400 m runs, and Mateusz Siuda from the Faculty of Civil and Transport Engineering – participant and medalist of the World Relay Silesia Championship 2021, the European Team Championships and the Academic Polish Championships in the 4x100m relay race and in the 100m race.

The inauguration was also an excellent opportunity to present special awards for the academics of the Poznan University of Technology who excel in their teaching and research work. This group included: 1) prof. Dariusz Horla, Joanna Ziętkiewicz, PhD and Marek Retinger, M.Sc from the Faculty of Automatic Control, Robotics and Electrical Engineering, first-degree team award for "Preparation of academic scripts and textbooks to ensure high-quality education"; 2) Magdalena Diering, PhD,  Agnieszka Kujawińska, European Para Athletics Championships and Krzysztof Żywicki, PhD from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, second-degree team award for "Implementation of the project motoZIP - development of competences in management and production engineering for the automotive industry "; 3) prof. Alina Pruss, Jędrzej Bylka, PhD and Tomasz Schiller, PhD from the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, second-degree team award for "Establishing two modern teaching laboratories".

For outstanding scientific achievements the following academics were awarded: 1) first- degree team award: prof. Michał Wieczorowski, prof. Bartosz Gapiński, Karol Grochalski, PhD and Michał Jakubowicz, PhD from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering for "A series of articles published in leading international scientific journals"; 2) second-degree individual award, prof. Miłosz Kadziński from the Faculty of Computing and Telecommunications for "The series of publications on computer-aided decisions in leading international scientific journals"; 3) second-degree individual award, Piotr Kuwałek, M.Sc from the Faculty of Automatic Control, Robotics and Electrical Engineering for articles published in leading international scientific journals.