Inaugural speech by the Rector of University of Wrocław
Inaugural speech delivered by the Rector of the University of Wrocław, prof. dr hab. Robert Olkiewicz, during the ceremony of commencement of the new academic year at the University of Wrocław on the 2nd of October 2023.
VIVAT ACADEMIA!
Standing here before you as Rector of University of Wrocław, I wish to raise some issues which I consider to be universal and important. The essence of our didactic and research efforts is based not only on the extremely significant foundations of science but also on fundamental humanistic values. Moreover, I am convinced that the exact same foundations apply to studying at the university. Therefore, I will dedicate my opening speech for the 2023/2024 academic year to these issues and address it to both educators and students.
FREEDOM – a word that is conjugated in various ways. A value that is so important and so cherished in our environment. Multiple meanings tend to be ascribed to this term; it is considered in various contexts, taking into account different aspects, and each of us may perceive it differently. Usually, freedom is understood as some kind of absence of constraints. But is the absence of constraints the path to true freedom? What makes freedom real?
The ancients noticed that to be free is above all to be master of oneself, not to be a slave to one’s own weaknesses. In contrast, according to Christian philosophy, the consequence of freedom is the choice between good and evil. I will therefore start with freedom of choice. My choice.
I have chosen physics as my scientific path. It is a special discipline. Even though sometimes we are extremely devoted to doing something, there are physical constraints that make the laws of physics say STOP to our plans. There is no way around them. And yet we physicists do try to make it possible. And sometimes it turns out that we exceed the laws of physics. Then what are inventions? They are creations of the mind that allow us to cross existing boundaries.
The achievements of physicists have brought transistors, lasers, ultrasound machines, X-ray machines, CT scanners, MRIs and drug carriers to mankind. Thanks to inventions, living standards are improving. Physics takes man’s capabilities further, higher and deeper, paradoxically beyond the limits of his physical capabilities.
Well, when my scholarly path coincided with that of Rector, freedom took on yet another meaning… For the search for truth, the cultivation of academic freedom in the areas of research and teaching, respect for differing views, respect for human rights, looking into the future, looking for what is new and cherishing tradition took on a special meaning.
The Rector inaugurating the academic year in a gown is not just a custom based on tradition. It is more than that – we show we are faithful to the idea that guided the founders and funders of universities.
Therefore, I would like to emphasise that I strongly oppose attempts to limit the freedom to seek the truth, the freedom to conduct scientific research and to publish its results, which is guaranteed by the Constitution. These must not be restricted. As an academic community, we have made this clear on many occasions. It is said that freedom ends where the rights of others are infringed. So how should we address so-called freedom of speech in this context? Please note how important it is to be honest in describing reality. How valuable a word based on effort to get to the heart of the truth is; I have found out about it more than once.
The finances of the University are a completely different yet equally fundamental issue. At every turn, we try to reduce the shortage of funds to complete the investments we have started. We are able to raise money for ongoing renovations. We are trying to finance the completion of the costly renovation of the Historical Institute on Szewska Street. We are starting an investment project on Kuźnicza Street, [PO1] where the Institute of Musicology and the Polish-Ukrainian Cooperation Centre are going to be located.
Everyone can see how remarkably the surroundings of our University are becoming more and more beautiful. The difficult – not only for financial reasons – renovation of the Collegium Anthropologicum building is now completed. Currently, we are preparing for another multi-million euro investment; this time in view of providing the University’s scientific and administrative staff with the new computer equipment.
You are about to face various choices, including political ones. Remember that elections have not always been free. Speaking of which: do you realise that we are living in the time of the longest-lasting democracy in Poland? Historians would probably say that the nobles’ democracy lasted longer. Yes, yet it concerned a specific social strata.
Exercise the freedom of your own choices. Choose wisely.
Speaking of the new academic year, summing up last year and making plans for the years to come, allow me to evoke another phrase: creative engagement. Without trying to uncover all the meanings and lexical connotations, we can agree that every well-executed project is based on creative engagement. I would like all of you gathered here: students of all levels and degrees, doctoral students, research and teaching staff and non-academic staff to creatively engage in co-creating the modern University of Wrocław. The university based on academic traditions, still developing and with the ambition to become a cradle of freedom in all its aspects. To execute all the things mentioned, it will take the creative commitment of all of you, understood as an extraordinary combination of vision, passion, creativity and everyday intellectual work. May it become the fuel that powers our Alma Mater.
I imagine the University of Wrocław as a university which is a place to acquire knowledge, broaden your horizons, and at the same time, is simply a friendly place to work; it is based fully on a stable foundation of humanistic values and respect for others. At this point, it is worth mentioning that three funds have been created: a wages fund, a fund aiming at upgrading teaching laboratories and a fund to support the publication of research results. The procedure for hiring and promoting academic staff has been simplified. I hope that these measures will, at least to some extent, contribute to you being able to say “My University”.
Dear students: make the most of what the University of Wrocław offers you.
Excellent academic staff, opportunities arising from our University’s participation in the international alliance of Arqus universities and being one of the ten Research Universities in Poland. We also offer financial support to help students achieve their academic goals. We have allocated one million zlotys this year for scholarships for talented students who have just started studying at the University.
I wish you to make only good choices. You have already made one – as you are here with us today.
We are proud of our young doctoral and postdoctoral researchers who obtain funding for their research from, among others, the National Science Centre and many other national and international programmes. Our researchers receive scholarships, awards and prizes for their research.
I am very pleased and proud of you!
To my experienced colleagues, thank you for supporting young researchers in pursuing and achieving their scientific goals. It is from you dear professors that young people draw inspiration. Your support is invaluable. At the same time, remember that it is they who will succeed us one day and shape this University in the future. Thank you to all the non-academic staff who take care of the day-to-day running of the University. Ladies and Gentlemen, without your commitment our University would not be developing so dynamically.
I want to emphasise that we are also developing cooperation with other research centres and universities. We have signed an important agreement on the mutual use of research equipment with Wrocław University of Science and Technology and Wrocław Medical University. Each of us here has made more than one important choice in life. Scientists have chosen their scientific path, and students have chosen our university and will spend the following perhaps most significant, most delightful years of their lives here.
And … finally: do not be afraid …; that was in the context of the lecture by professor Jerzy Koch, “On the pedagogy of fear”, which we will have the honour of hearing in a moment.
I am delighted that we are here together in this beautiful, baroque Leopoldina Hall, and that you have chosen the University of Wrocław, the wonderful university!
Quod bonum, felix, faustum fortunatumque sit!
Translated by Patrycja Orman (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice
