Statement by prof. Robert Olkiewicz, Rector of the University of Wrocław
Dear Sir or Madam, Dear University Community,
I am addressing you today because I believe it is necessary to clarify a few matters related to the Willy Brandt Centre at the University of Wrocław. I cannot remain indifferent to reports by certain media outlets attempting to politicise what are, in fact, standard administrative actions – and on an international scale, given that the matter concerns an institution we have jointly run with our German partners for over 20 years.
The University Senate has already been briefed on most issues concerning the personnel changes and the internal audit that accompanied them. However, I must respond to the attempts to entangle our University in political games.
I hereby state that the dismissal of prof. Krzysztof Ruchniewicz from his temporary duties as Director of the Willy Brandt Centre had no connection whatsoever with politics. It is, in fact, absurd to link managerial decisions with political disputes.
I believe the entire academic community deserves a few words of explanation.
When, several months ago, I received information about potential irregularities at the Centre, I ordered a standard, responsible, and lawful internal audit in accordance with our ownership duties. In November 2024, a report was produced identifying a number of irregularities in the Centre’s operations. Among other things, it raised serious concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest in the use of public funds, the signing of civil-law contracts with employees for tasks falling within their standard duties, and the disregard of internal procedures. As Rector, I could not tolerate such practices.
Before the audit was completed, prof. Ruchniewicz resigned from his position (on 15 October 2024, he submitted a letter of resignation from the post of Director of the Willy Brandt Centre and requested additional employment at a research institute overseen by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage). I accepted his resignation and, on 24 October 2024, simultaneously appointed him as acting director until a competition could be held.
On 31 March, I dismissed prof. Ruchniewicz from his temporary role due to a lack of cooperation with the University and inefficient management of the Centre’s funds during that time.
I wish to emphasise that the Willy Brandt Centre is of great importance to me. That is why I believe – especially in light of the audit findings – that its operations must be improved, and, above all, a transparent and fair competition for a new director must be organised. This will be the first such competition in the history of the Centre!
The University has taken all necessary steps to ensure the competition procedure is launched as soon as possible. We are working together with our German partners on this, and I hope the procedure can be formally announced soon. A draft of the competition criteria was sent to the German side in mid-January.
I am confident that an open competition for the position of director will be a valuable opportunity to present new visions for the development of this key German-Polish academic centre.
Let me stress again: the personnel decisions at the Centre are entirely free of political motives! The appearance of such claims in the media, in my view, serves only to distract from the fundamental issues related to serious concerns over the Centre’s management.
Rector of the University of Wrocław
prof. dr hab. Robert Olkiewicz
Date of publication: 9.04.2025
Added by: M.J.
