80th anniversary of the Institute of Geological Sciences
On 24 October 2025, the historic Aula Leopoldina hosted the main celebration marking the 80th anniversary of Polish geology at the University of Wrocław. This exceptional occasion was celebrated not only by the staff of the Institute of Geological Sciences, but also by the university and faculty authorities, retired employees, alumni, representatives of other universities and companies, and, of course, by students.
The ceremony began with the traditional academic anthem “Gaudeamus igitur”, which set a solemn tone for the event. Opening speeches were delivered by dr Łukasz Prus, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs at the University of Wrocław and dr hab. Maciej Kryza, prof. UWr, Dean of the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Environmental Management. Dr hab. Magdalena Matusiak-Małek, prof. UWr, Director of the Institute of Geological Sciences, presented the history of geology in Wrocław, recalling the figures who shaped it. In her address, she also spoke about the challenges facing contemporary geology and outlined the Institute’s plans for the future.
During the ceremony, congratulatory letters were read from representatives of numerous institutions and organisations, including the Association of Geologists – Alumni of the University of Wrocław, the Institute of Geography and Regional Development (UWr), the Polish Academy of Sciences – Institute of Geological Sciences, the Polish Geological Institute – National Research Institute, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, the University of Silesia, the District Mining Office, Poltegor, and KGHM Polska Miedź S.A.
The next part of the celebration took place in the Oratorium Marianum, where distinguished alumni of Wrocław geology spoke: prof. Jerzy Żaba, prof. Andrzej Żelaźniewicz, prof. Andrzej Muszyński, prof. Michał Sachanbiński and dr Jacek Ossowski. Dr Piotr Wojtulek presented a series of portraits of individuals connected with the Institute of Geological Sciences – from scholars and politicians to figures from popular culture. Doctoral student Wojciech Durak discussed the scientific and organisational achievements of the Student Geological Research Society, while members of the Institute staff highlighted the most significant accomplishments in mineralogy, petrography, stratigraphy, hydrogeology, and environmental sciences.
The gathering in the main building of the University of Wrocław was the culmination of a series of jubilee events organised by the Institute. Earlier celebrations included the Graduate Ball in May, the GeoArctic Expedition 2025 jubilee voyage to Spitsbergen in August, and the October session of the Petrology Section of the Polish Mineralogical Society. To mark the 80th anniversary, a special issue of Przegląd Geologiczny was also published, entirely dedicated to Wrocław geology.
Below we present a photo gallery from the celebration, captured by Alina Metelytsia-Kolisnyk.
Complied by Magdalena Matusiak-Małek
Date of publication: 30.10.2025
Added by: EJK
