Święto 80-lecia Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego, fot. Alina Metelytsia-Kolisnyk — 80th Anniversary of the University of Wrocław, photo: Alina Metelytsia-Kolisnyk

80th Anniversary of the University of Wrocław

The academic community is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the University of Wrocław, whose Polish history began in 1945.

The celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the University of Wrocław opened with the singing of the hymn Gaude Mater Polonia, after which all those gathered in the Aula Leopoldina were welcomed by Katarzyna Górowicz-Maćkiewicz, the University’s Spokesperson.

The programme also included an address by professor Robert Olkiewicz, Rector of the University of Wrocław, who recalled the origins of the Polish University, the establishment of its individual faculties, and the current achievements of the academic community. He also referred to recently completed and ongoing renovations and investments.

− Today we meet on an exceptional day and for an exceptional occasion, as we mark the 80th anniversary of the existence of the Polish University in Wrocław. Wrocław is an academic city, home to numerous institutions of higher education (…). The first lecture on a scientific topic delivered in Polish in Wrocław was given by professor Ludwik Hirszfeld, a world-renowned immunologist and bacteriologist, who was at that time organising the University’s medical faculty. This took place on 6 September 1945 in one of the clinic’s rooms on what was then Robert Koch Strasse, today Chałubińskiego Street, in the Department of Microbiology. The audience consisted of future medical students, who were then members of the academic guard. The lecture addressed contemporary trends in bacteriology. This event may be regarded as the first lecture of an academic character. Hirszfeld believed that young people were eager for science and knowledge, which is why he decided to organise such lectures. However, the lecture given by professor Hirszfeld cannot be considered the first official academic lecture, as the Wrocław institutions of higher education did not yet formally exist. For this reason, the first official academic lecture inaugurating the activities of the University and the Polytechnic in Wrocław was delivered by professor Kazimierz Idaszewski on 15 November 1945. Today we celebrate the University of Wrocław Day, the Wrocław University of Science and Technology Day, and the Day of Science in Wrocław. Professor Stanisław Kulczyński, Rector of both the University and the Polytechnic, designating 15 November as the first day of classes, may have had in mind that on 15 November 1702 the Jesuit university in Wrocław formally commenced its activities. The University began its operation with six faculties, which over the past 80 years have transformed into twelve − said Rector Olkiewicz. In his address, he also described the history of the establishment of the respective faculties of the University of Wrocław.

He further recalled that the University of Wrocław is the only Research University in Wrocław, which enables the implementation of such initiatives as the esteemed Young Researcher Programme. He also cited examples of prestigious awards won by University scholars.

He extended his thanks to the entire academic community. “On behalf of the University authorities, I thank you for your work, passion, and commitment. Today I shall have the honour of presenting you with distinctions and awards which are an expression of our gratitude and respect.”

Distinctions and Medals

Following the Rector’s address, University employees received 53 Medals for Long Service (34 Gold, 15 Silver and 4 Bronze). These distinctions are an expression of recognition for exemplary and exceptionally diligent performance of professional duties and for long-standing engagement in the life of our University. This year, 10 University employees were also honoured with Medals of the Commission of National Education, awarded by the Minister of National Education for outstanding services to education and upbringing. During the ceremony, distinctions not collected in previous years were also presented. The decorations were conferred by dr Piotr Sebastian Kozdrowicki, Deputy Voivode of Lower Silesia, and Dariusz Wójcik, Deputy Superintendent of Education for Lower Silesia.

The following individuals were awarded the Bronze Cross of Merit:

dr hab. Joanna Dyduch, prof. UWr from the Faculty of Social Sciences
dr Adrianna Michalewska from the Science Department
dr hab. Małgorzata Niklewicz-Pijaczyńska from the Faculty of Law, Administration and Economics
prof. dr hab. Aldona Wiktorska-Święcka from the Faculty of Social Sciences

Recipients of the Gold Medal for Long Service:

prof. dr hab. Beata Baczyńska from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
mgr Katarzyna Bednarz from the Faculty of Biotechnology
dr hab. Sławomir Berski, prof. UWr from the Faculty of Chemistry
prof. dr hab. Jolanta Blicharz from the Faculty of Law, Administration and Economics
Anna Butra from the Faculty of Chemistry
dr hab. Maria Chantry, prof. UWr from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
mgr inż. Ilona Ciechanowska from the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
dr hab. Beata Cytowska, prof. UWr from the Faculty of Historical and Pedagogical Sciences
dr Aleksandra Czułowskafrom the Faculty of Biological Sciences
dr hab. Zygmunt Dajdok from the Faculty of Biological Sciences
dr Anna Gondek from the Faculty of Letters
mgr Danuta Grychowska from the Faculty of Historical and Pedagogical Sciences
mgr Zofia Haba from the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy
mgr Ewa Hirny-Madej from the Finance Department
dr Monika Jasińska-Okulewicz from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
dr Julian Jezioro from the Faculty of Law, Administration and Economics
dr Alina Jurasz from the Faculty of Letters
prof. dr hab. Stefan Kiedroń from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
dr Aleksandra Kilian from the Faculty of Biological Sciences
mgr Joanna Kokosza from the Faculty of Social Sciences
Małgorzata Laska from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
mgr Jadwiga Lewińska from the Faculty of Law, Administration and Economics
dr hab. Jarosław Malicki from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
mgr Joanna Mroczko-Sidorowicz from the Faculty of Law, Administration and Economics
mgr Anna Nietrybowska from the Finance Department
mgr Agnieszka Nowacka from the Faculty of Letters
dr hab. Jakub Pigoń, prof. UWr from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
dr hab. Piotr Plichta, prof. UWr from the Faculty of Historical and Pedagogical Sciences
dr Danuta Pytel-Pandey from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
prof. dr hab. Dariusz Rakus from the Faculty of Biological Sciences
dr hab. Renata Raszewska-Skałecka, prof. UWr from the Faculty of Law, Administration and Economics
Zofia Romaszko from the Library of the University of Wrocław
Jolanta Rygiel from the Library of the University of Wrocław
dr hab. Jacek Schindler from the Faculty of Historical and Pedagogical Sciences
prof. dr hab. Elżbieta Skibińska-Cieńska from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
mgr Lidia Stelmach-Krzyszkiewicz from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
dr Ewa Szczęśniak from the Faculty of Biological Sciences
mgr Jadwiga Tyl from the Faculty of Chemistry
prof. dr hab. Mirosława Wawrzak-Chodaczek from the Faculty of Historical and Pedagogical Sciences
dr hab. Barbara Winczura, prof. UWr from the Faculty of Historical and Pedagogical Sciences
dr Jacek Woźny from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
mgr Wioletta Zięba from the Faculty of Law, Administration and Economics

Recipients of the Silver Medal for Long Service:

dr Davide Artico from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
dr Małgorzata Czarnecka from the Faculty of Letters
dr hab. Izabela Czeluśniak from the Faculty of Chemistry
dr Sybilla Daković from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
dr hab. Bożena Futoma-Kołoch from the Faculty of Biological Sciences
dr hab. Michał Garcarz, prof. UWr from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
dr Maria Giej from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
dr hab. Agnieszka Gizak, prof. UWr from the Faculty of Biological Sciences
dr Małgorzata Jedynak from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
mgr Joanna Jędrzejkowska from the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
Daniel Kaźmierczyk from the Faculty of Law, Administration and Economics
mgr Marek Kowalczyk from the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Environmental Management
dr hab. Ewa Maciaszczyk-Dziubińska, prof. UWr from the Faculty of Biological Sciences
dr hab. Grażyna Majkowska-Skrobek from the Faculty of Biological Sciences
Andrzej Malenda from the Library of the University of Wrocław
mgr Krzysztof Mruszczak from the Faculty of Law, Administration and Economics
dr hab. Agnieszka Perec-Matysiak, prof. UWr from the Faculty of Biological Sciences
mgr Krystyna Piekarska from the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
dr hab. Marcin Popiołek, prof. UWr from the Faculty of Biological Sciences
mgr inż. Joanna Raczyńska from the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
dr Beata Rozenblut-Kościsty from the Faculty of Biological Sciences
dr Dorota Żygadło-Czopnik from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures

Recipients of the Bronze Medal for Long Service:

dr Katarzyna Martyniuk from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
dr Magdalena Modelska from the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Environmental Management
mgr Magdalena Polowczyk-Grębska from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
dr Magdalena Ślawska from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
dr hab. Mateusz Świetlicki, prof. UWr from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
dr Jakub Walczak from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures

Recipients of the Medal of the Commission of National Education:

dr Magdalena Białek from the Faculty of Letters
dr Halina Dmochowska from the Faculty of Historical and Pedagogical Sciences
dr Wojciech Doliński from the Faculty of Social Sciences
dr hab. inż. Alicja Dołzbłaszfrom the Faculty of Biological Sciences
dr Małgorzata Dowlaszewicz from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
dr Iwona Gottfried from the Faculty of Biological Sciences
dr Tomasz Greczyło from the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy
dr inż. Alicja Kluczyk from the Faculty of Chemistry
dr Maria Kossowska from the Faculty of Biological Sciences
dr hab. Grzegorz Kowal, prof. UWr from the Faculty of Letters
prof. dr hab. Marek Łagosz from the Faculty of Social Sciences
dr Justyna Radłowska from the Faculty of Letters
dr Aleksander Srebrakowski from the Faculty of Historical and Pedagogical Sciences
dr Przemysław Staniewski from the Faculty of Letters

Professor Wiesław Stręk — the New Doctor honoris causa of the University of Wrocław

Following the presentation of distinctions to University of Wrocław employees, the time came to confer the highest academic honour awarded by the University. At the University of Wrocław, this title is granted to individuals of outstanding scholarly achievement, recognised authorities in their fields, and persons of indisputable academic ethos. The honorary doctorate may also be conferred upon eminent figures in literature and the arts, as well as internationally recognised politicians or individuals of particular merit to Poland.

At the request of the Faculty Council of the Faculty of Chemistry, on 25 June 2025 the Senate of the University of Wrocław—having reviewed the reports prepared by professor Andrzej Suchocki of the Polish Academy of Sciences and professor Michał Malinowski of the Warsaw University of Technology—awarded the title of Doctor honoris causa of the University of Wrocław to professor Wiesław Stręk. Professor Stręk is an eminent scholar in the physical sciences, specialising in molecular physics, laser materials, the spectroscopy of inorganic systems, and nanotechnology, and is associated with the Włodzimierz Trzebiatowski Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Wrocław.

Professor Marcin Sobczyk, Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry, presented the biography and academic achievements of professor Wiesław Stręk. Professor Janina Legendziewicz, the promotor of the honorary doctorate, delivered the laudation and carried out the act of conferral, formally promoting professor Wiesław Stręk to the degree of Doctor honoris causa of the University of Wrocław.

Professor Stręk is the author or co-author of some 800 scholarly publications, cited more than 15,000 times, with a Hirsch index of 57. He is also co-editor of several international academic journals, including Journal of Alloys and Compounds (Elsevier), Rare Earth Journal (Elsevier), Results in Physics (Elsevier), Polish Material Science and Materials (MDPI).

Born in 1948, professor Stręk graduated from the Faculty of Physics at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, where his master’s thesis was supervised by professor Stanisław Kielich. After completing his studies, he joined the Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Wrocław in 1971, where he has worked ever since, initially in the department headed by professor Bogusława Jeżowska-Trzebiatowska. He was awarded his doctorate in 1979 under the supervision of professor Jeżowska-Trzebiatowska, and obtained his habilitation in 1982. He was granted the title of full professor in 1990.

Professor Stręk’s scientific activity centres principally on the study of the optical properties of rare-earth ions and transition metals in crystals, glasses, ceramics, liquids and nanomaterials. He has also been engaged in research on emission and electrical properties of graphene-based materials with regard to their applications. Furthermore, he contributed to the development of cryomedicine, medical laser applications, and security features for valuable documents. It is worth noting the close scientific collaboration between the teams led by professor Jeżowska-Trzebiatowska at the University’s Institute of Chemistry and at the Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences—a collaboration later continued by professor Stręk and professor Legendziewicz, and still active today through the work of professors Paula Gawryszewska, Eugeniusz Zych, Mirosław Karbowiak, Jerzy Sokolnicki, Marcin Sobczyk and others. This collaboration has resulted in numerous joint publications and joint research projects. Professor Stręk has also led international research projects, some honoured with awards in Belgium.

Professor Stręk has co-organised, together with professors Jeżowska-Trzebiatowska and Legendziewicz, numerous international conferences and scientific schools (19 in total), including the International Conference on f-elements, the International Conference on Luminescence, the International Conference on Sol-Gel Materials, Tunable Solid State Lasers, the International School on Rare Earth Materials (REMAT), and International Schools on Excited State and Photon–Graphene Interactions. He has also served on the scientific committees of major international congresses and conferences, including the ICL in France, Brazil and China. Papers presented at these events were published in Journal of Alloys and Compounds, in two volumes of Acta Physica Polonica A (APTLB 90(2), 1996; and 1993), and in the Journal of Applied Spectroscopy (1995). Additionally, three books have been published containing lectures and papers from these conferences: Rare Earth Spectroscopy (World Scientific, Singapore 1985), and Excited States of Transition Elements (World Scientific, Singapore 1988 and 1992).

Professor Stręk has undertaken numerous research stays abroad, including in Denmark, Brazil, Belarus, France, Finland, Israel, Germany, China, Japan, Italy, the USA, Russia, India and Vietnam. He has supervised 16 doctoral dissertations, many of whose authors have themselves become full professors. He is co-author of many patents and inventions used in medicine, security printing, thermal insulation, nanotechnology and lighting technology. He has served as Scientific Secretary of the Spectroscopy Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences and as a member of the National Centre for Research and Development. He has been awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, the Medal commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Professor Jeżowska-Trzebiatowska, the Order of Merit for the University School of Physical Education, and many national and international distinctions.

As Professor Marcin Sobczyk, Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Wrocław, stressed, Professor Stręk not only collaborated with the Faculty but, in fact, helped to shape the history of Wrocław spectroscopy. − Professor Stręk’s academic output is impressive on a global scale. At the same time, it is deeply and enduringly rooted in the University of Wrocław. Why his collaboration specifically with the Faculty of Chemistry? The development of joint studies and the spirit of scholarly community which he has fostered for many years make us acutely aware of the significance of his contribution to the shaping of Wrocław’s academic environment. We regard him as one of the architects of our Wrocław school of spectroscopy. It is with the greatest respect that I present to you an outstanding scholar, a pioneer of new fields of research, a mentor to many generations, professor Wiesław Stręk − said professor Sobczyk.

Doctor honoris causa professor Wiesław Stręk expressed his gratitude for the distinction and recalled his early years in Wrocław. − I came to Wrocław more than 50 years ago from Poznań and immediately sensed that this was the place for me and I stayed. I met wonderful scholars who became my academic godparents, foremost among them professor Bogusława Jeżowska-Trzebiatowska. She shaped me. Those were dozens of hours of conversations and meetings. I am grateful to Wrocław for allowing me to grow,” he said. He added that work must continue based on the Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, which is a unique institution within the structure of the Polish Academy of Sciences. He also emphasised his close ties with the University’s Faculty of Chemistry. To this day I strive to maintain these contacts and to organise joint conferences. I am deeply honoured to be able to continue active collaboration with the Institute of Chemistry. Thank you very much.

Other recipients

The subsequent part of the ceremony involved the presentation of the University of Wrocław Medal to particularly distinguished employees.

prof. dr hab. Piotr Biler – mathematician, specialist in differential equations and dynamical systems, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
prof. dr hab. Adam Kiejna – physicist, specialist in solid state physics, Faculty of Physics and Astronomy
prof. dr hab. Jerzy Kowalski-Glikman – physicist, specialist in cosmology, quantisation methods, mathematical methods in physics and the theory of gravity, Faculty of Physics and Astronomy
prof. dr hab. Anna Migoń – humanities scholar, specialist in bibliography, book history, science studies, and book science theory and history, Faculty of Social Communication and Media Studies
prof. dr hab. Jerzy Piekalski – archaeologist, specialist in late medieval and modern archaeology, architecture and general construction, Faculty of Historical and Pedagogical Sciences
prof. dr hab. Alicja Szerląg – educator, specialist in didactics, intercultural education, social pedagogy and educational theory, Faculty of Historical and Pedagogical Sciences
prof. dr hab. Andrzej Zawada – humanist, literary critic, essayist, translator and editor, specialist in 20th-century and contemporary Polish literature, the history and culture of Lower Silesia, and issues of cultural identity, Faculty of Social Communication and Media Studies
prof. dr hab. Rościsław Żerelik – historian, specialist in medieval history, auxiliary sciences of history, medieval Silesia, Faculty of Historical and Pedagogical Sciences.

As is traditional during the University of Wrocław Day, awards were also presented to academic teachers for outstanding scientific, teaching, and organisational achievements in 2024. The laureates were nominated by the deans of the respective faculties.

The following individuals received awards:

dr hab. Daria Augustyniak, prof. UWr from the Faculty of Biological Sciences
prof. dr hab. Andrzej Bator from the Faculty of Law, Administration and Economics
prof. dr hab. Dariusz Galasiński from the Faculty of Social Communication and Media Studies
dr hab. Rafał Idczak, prof. UWr from the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy
prof. dr hab. Anna Małgorzewicz from the Faculty of Letters
dr hab. Anna Mystkowska-Wiertelak, prof. UWr from the Faculty of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
dr Piotr Ostropolski-Nalewaja from the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
dr Małgorzata Ostrowska from the Faculty of Chemistry
dr Krzysztof Siwek from the Faculty of Historical and Pedagogical Sciences
dr hab. Marcin Szafran from the Faculty of Biotechnology
prof. dr hab. Małgorzata Werner from the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Environmental Management
dr hab. Katarzyna Zalas-Kamińskafrom the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The medals and certificates were presented to the awardees by Professor Robert Olkiewicz, Rector of the University of Wrocław.

To conclude the ceremony, on behalf of the University authorities, Katarzyna Górowicz-Maćkiewicz, the University’s Spokesperson, addressed the audience: I extend my warmest congratulations to all those honoured, the accomplishments you celebrate today are what make our community so exceptional. I wish you continued success and inspiration. (…) May today’s distinctions energise us for further development, collaboration, and the building of a strong and open academic community. Thank you for your presence and for celebrating with us.

The ceremony was enriched by a performance from the Vocal Ensemble directed by Łukasz Czartowski.

Immediately following the ceremony, all guests were invited to the opening of the exhibition Our Masters: 80 Years of Wrocław’s Alma Mater, prepared by the Museum of the University of Wrocław – a unique opportunity to view the University’s history through the lens of its most eminent figures.

Visitors to University Square were also able to admire a special illumination: the main University building was lit in blue and adorned with a luminous inscription marking the 80th anniversary of the Polish University of Wrocław.

The University concluded the celebrations by laying flowers at the Monument to the Martyrology of Lviv Professors and at the plaques commemorating the Kraków professors imprisoned in Wrocław in 1939.

We encourage you to view the photo gallery by Alina Metelytsi-Kolisnyk and the recording of the ceremony!