Professor Jacek Semaniak passed away
On Thursday, 11 December 2025, prof. dr hab. Jacek Semaniak, Rector of Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce during the terms 2012-2016 and 2016-2020, passed away. He was an outstanding individual and scholar, a long-serving rector, and a member of the Science Policy Committee at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education in the years 2020-2022. Since 2020, he had held the position of President of the Central Office of Measures (GUM).
Prof. dr hab. Jacek Semaniak, a physicist specialising in atomic and molecular physics, was a graduate of WSP in Kielce. He obtained his doctorate at the Andrzej Sołtan Institute for Nuclear Studies in Świerk and received habilitation at the University of Warsaw. Since 2012, he had been a professor of physical sciences.
Prof. Jacek Semaniak’s scientific work focused on the study of collisions between free electrons and molecular ions, the study of ionisation mechanisms and the emission of characteristic X-rays in collisions of ions with atoms, and the use of X-ray fluorescence analysis in determining the trace element concentrations.
His scholarly output comprises nearly one hundred publications in the field of atomic and molecular physics, the majority of which were published in journals from the Philadelphia list (including in Nature, Physical Review Letters, Physical Review, and The Astrophysical Journal). He was also a co-author of numerous textbooks and methodological guides for teachers.
He managed numerous research projects and coordinated tasks carried out by the Polish side as part of a research and training network funded by the EU’s Fifth Framework Programme (FP5). His research was conducted in collaboration with scientists from Stockholm University, Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, University of Gothenburg, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Max Planck Institute in Heidelberg, University of Basel, Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics in Amsterdam, Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics at Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, JILA Boulder, Charles University in Prague, and the Andrzej Sołtan Institute for Nuclear Studies in Świerk. He completed long-term research internships at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, the Stockholm University, and the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna.
In recognition of his scientific, teaching, and organisational achievements, he received numerous awards and honours, including Rector’s awards, the Kielce City Award, the Marshal of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship Award, the Medal of the National Education Commission, the Silver Cross of Merit, and the Gold Cross of Merit.
Prof. Jacek Semaniak was affiliated with Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce since the beginning of his professional career (in 1988). He held the positions of head of the Department of Molecular Physics, Vice-Rector for Teaching and Student Affairs (2005-2008), and Vice-Rector for General Affairs (2008-2012). He served as Rector of Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce from 2012 to 2020.
His two terms as rector were a time of building the university’s image and further dynamic development of its infrastructure. During his two terms as rector, Professor Semaniak contributed significantly to shaping the university’s public image and to its continued dynamic development. Together with the academic community, he succeeded in strengthening the University’s position and influence. An equally important achievement during his time as rector was the stabilisation of the university’s financial situation.
Professor Jacek Semaniak’s time as a rector also brought far-reaching changes in the university’s infrastructure. Through the effective use of EU funding, a modern university campus was created. During his term of office, the expansion of the Faculty of Science and Natural Sciences was completed, and new units were established, including the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Business, the Centre for Foreign Languages, the Centre for Artistic Education at the Faculty of Pedagogy and Arts, and the University Library. The Collegium Medicum building was modernised, the UJK Centre for Rehabilitation and Sport was opened, and the University Media Centre was established. A new headquarters for the Faculty of Humanities was built. Thermal modernisation was carried out at the buildings of the Faculty of Pedagogy and Arts and the Rector’s Office of the Jan Kochanowski University. In cooperation with Kielce University of Technology, the laboratories at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences were modernised. At the same time, the University’s IT infrastructure was also significantly developed.
During his rectorship, Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce introduced several new fields of study, including law and the medical programme. The launch of the latter opened a new chapter in the history of the university and in the development of academic life of Kielce. Medical students gained access to modern laboratories and facilities in the new Collegium Medicum building. During his second term of office, organisational changes resulting from the reform of the higher education and science system were implemented. The university established a Doctoral School to train future academic staff across multiple disciplines.
After completing his term as Rector, he was a member of the Science Policy Committee at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education in the years 2020-2022.
Since 2020, he had held the position of President of the Central Office of Measures (GUM).
Professor Jacek Semaniak leaves behind a substantial scientific and organisational legacy, as well as a lasting influence on the development direction of Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce. His vision, leadership style, and personal integrity will remain a point of reference for future generations of academic staff and students.
He was a person who knew how to bridge the academic world with the practical needs of society. He supported change, inspired for action, and built connections between research and its application. His organisational activities and projects allowed many institutions to gain new perspectives for development and young people to find their way. Above all, however, Jacek Semaniak will be remembered as a person of exceptional empathy and warmth towards colleagues, students, and all who knew him. His kindness, personal dignity, and readiness to help will forever remain in our memory as a lasting testament to his humanity and sensitivity.
Translated by Marta Burkiet (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
Date of publication: 12 December 2025
Added by: M.J.
