Lodz Universities: Technical University, Lodz University, Medical University, Film School, Academy of Fine Arts and Academy of Music  jointly inaugurated the academic year on October 2, 2023 in Arthur Rubinstein Philharmonic.

The list of guests included i.a.:

• Waldemar Buda, Minister of Economic Development and Technology,
• Krzysztof Kwiatkowski, Senator of the Republic of Poland, on behalf of prof. Tomasz Grodzki, the Speaker of the Senate,
• Karol Młynarczyk, Voivode of Łódź, also representing Mateusz Morawiecki, the Prime Minister
• Marcin Gołaszewski, Chairman of the City Council in Lodz,
• Adam Pustelnik , Vice-President of Lodz,
• Monika Malinowska – Olszowy, Chairwoman of the City Promotion Committee

and Foreign Cooperation of the City Council in Lodz,

• Krzysztof Apostolidis, Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Denmark,
• Alicja Bień, Honorary Consul of the Republic of France,
• Rafał Choma, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia and the Democratic Republic of Congo,
• Wirginia Gostomczyk, Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Belgium,
• Krzysztof Skotnick, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic,
• Andrzej Welfe, Vice-President of Polish Academy of Sciences,
• Andrzej Bartoszewicz, President of Branch of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Lodz,
• Marek Potrzebowski, Director of the Centre for Molecular and Macromolecular Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences,
• Paweł Czekalski, President of the District Medical Council inLodz,
• Anna Kacprzak, Chairman of the Council of Nurses and Midwive,s
• Radosław Dziuba, Director of Łukasiewicz -Lodz Institute of Technology,
• Dariusz Rogut PhD, Rector of Piotrków Academy,
• Sławomir Sosnowski, Rector of the Major Seminary, also representing the Metropolitan of Lodz, Archbishop. Grzegorz Ryś,
• Dariusz Bogdał, Vice-Rector for Science of the Krakow University of Technology,
• Tomasz Bęben, Director of Artur Rubinstein Philharmonic in Lodz,
• Marcin Nałęcz-Niesiołowski, Director of the Grand Theatre in Lodz,
• Dorota Ignatjew, Director of the New Theater in Lodz,
• Sławosz Uznański PhD Eng, an astronaut of the European Space Agency, who delivered the keynote lecture.

The ceremony was also honoured by the presence of vice-rectors of Lodz universities, members of the Senate and, above all, students and the academic community.

The first joint inauguration of Lodz Academic Partnership (LAP) was opened with a speech given by Prof. Elżbieta Żądzińska, the Rector of the University of Lodz. After welcoming the guests, Prof. Żądzińska recalled the beginnings of academic Lodz, its history and common successes of Lodz universities. Referring to Jan Karski, the patron of LAP, prof. Żądzińska emphasized that the primary goal of the Partnership is to fight and remind people of the need to investigate, understand and convey the truth, not only historical truth, but also the truth about the world around us created as a result of scientific research. She drew on Jan Karski’s biography and said that LAP wishes to uphold values ​​such as courage, patriotism, respect, tolerance and peace thereby promoting international dialogue, partnership and collaboration between scientific units.

Matriculation of freshmen students and PhD students was the key moment of the ceremony. Rectors of Lodz universities took oaths from their representatives, symbolically accepting new members into the academic community.

Gaude Mater Polonia performed by the Choir of  Lodz Academy of Music was the wrap-up of this part of the ceremony.

The Rectors of Lodz universities, the academic community and, above all, new students received congratulations and best wishes, among others from Waldemar Buda, the Minister, Elżbieta Witek, Marshal of the Sejm, Mateusz Morawiecki, the Prime Minister, Krzysztof Kwiatkowski, Voivode of Lodz, Chairman of the City Council, as well as Senator, who, on behalf prof. Tomasz Grodzki, the Speaker of the Senate, handed over the distinction of the Senate Eagle for the Lodz Academic Partnership, the highest distinction awarded by the Marshal of the Senate, to prof. Żądzińska.

The highlight of the official part of the event was the keynote lecture by Sławosz Uznański PhD Eng  entitled ‘A new look at our planet: from manned space flights to Earth observations’, during which the astronaut presented the inspiring application of space technology in everyday life, and also pointed out the connections between space missions and various fields of science.

After the official inauguration of academic year 2023/24 by the Rectors of Lodz universities, the Choir of the Academy of Music in Lodz performed the traditional song Gaudeamus igitur.

A unique, expressive and potent performance given by the students of the Acting Department of the Film School in Lodz, prepared under the supervision of Joanna Gogulska, was an artistic complement to the ceremony. The daring performance of songs from the repertoire of Maanam, Republika, Świnie and DAAB will be remembered long.