Opening speech by the rector, prof. Robert Olkiewicz
Vice-Rectors! Deans!
Distinguished Guests!
Dear young people, students and doctoral students!
The inauguration of the academic year is our joint celebration. This is also the moment when the rector customarily takes stock of the university’s recent achievements and presents plans for the academic year that is about to begin. However, the times in which we have to live and work are extremely difficult. Therefore, breaking this unwritten tradition, I would like to share a personal reflection with you. At the same time, I promise that we will publish detailed data and plans on the university website. In particular, you will find our involvement with the Arqus network of European universities. There you will also find preliminary analyses on the evaluation of our disciplines. Preliminary – because more than ten disciplines have appealed to the ministry against the category obtained.
There is one fact I would like to share with you – it concerns the increase in prices. The increases will, unfortunately, only amount to 4.4 per cent, and are granted from 1 October; fortunately with an effect that carries over to next year. As you can easily count, this is only a token increase in wages. Therefore, please do not throw eggs at the rector.
The University of Wrocław, fulfilling its mission to seek the truth in all fields of knowledge and to pass it on to future generations, is inaugurating another academic year. Let me address the university teachers first.
Sometimes I ask myself, why are we here, why the University? After all, the world of business and finance, the corporate world, offers incomparably more in financial terms. I am then reminded of a certain Gospel scene. After the death of the Lord Jesus, two disciples made their way to Emmaus. They were sad, they were disappointed. At one point, a Stranger joined them and began to explain the scriptures to them. At a roadside inn, they recognised that it was the Risen One. But it was interesting to see their reaction once he had left them. They said, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us when he spoke to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?” I think we are here because we also met a master on our way who ignited us to seek the truth in a certain area of reality, in the discipline we now practise. I wish you much success and deep satisfaction in discovering the laws that govern nature and society.
I would now like to address a word to students and doctoral students. In congratulating you on your choice of our University, a Research University, I wish you to acquire comprehensive knowledge that will allow you not only to find your way in the rapidly changing labour market, but also to better understand the world and yourselves. Take care of your personal and spiritual formation, as these will empower you to make life decisions in the future. Ryszard Kapuściński wrote in one of his books “We don’t really know what draws a man into the world. Curiosity? A hunger for experiences? The need to be constantly surprised?”. I wish you that youthful curiosity will drive your actions, discoveries and achievements. To quote Blessed Father Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński: “Be like eagles – soar high”.
Finally, I would like to address that part of the academic community that rarely appears in inaugural addresses, the administrative, library and service staff of the University. Although the ministerial algorithm for the distribution of subsidies does not notice you, you are doing the work that is essential to the functioning of the University as a whole. For this effort, I would like to thank you warmly. I also wish you, despite the financial misery, much joy and satisfaction in the duties you perform for the University.
Ladies and gentlemen!
I declare the academic year 2022/2023 open.
Quod felix, faustum fortunatumque sit.
