We all make the university – an interview with the Rector of the University of Wrocław
What is the university community?
Professor Robert Olkiewicz: Firstly, a community is people. Academic staff, administrative staff, technical staff, students, doctor’s degree students – we all make up the university. By working together, we make it the best it can be. Secondly, shared values. The search for truth, the cultivation of academic freedom in research and teaching, respect for differing views, respect for human rights. And thirdly, tradition. The Rector inaugurating the academic year in a toga is not just a custom. It is more than that – we show that we are faithful to the idea that guided the founders and founders of our university.
According to university traditions, the functioning of the university community in legal and ethical terms is based both on statutory regulations, the provisions of the statutes and other internal acts of the university, and on “respect for academic values and customs and the cultivation of traditions”. Are academic mores evolving?
There are certain values, fundamental principles that do not evolve. Honesty will always remain honesty, truth will always remain truth and lies will always remain lies. I am not a relativist.
One of the provisions of the Code of Good Practices in HEIs, developed by the Polish Rectors Foundation, indicates, among others, the principle of respect for dignity and tolerance: “Bearing in mind the dignity and good name of all members of the academic community, HEIs are guided by the principles of trust, respect and tolerance of all views, attitudes and lifestyles permitted by law. The right to privacy shall be respected, and disputes shall be resolved through debate between parties who respect and recognise each other’s rights.” Are you tolerant? What do you not tolerate?
I do not tolerate lying. I also believe that nothing is more important than a substantive and informed discussion based on mutual respect and trust. I am a tolerant person. And I would very much like others to be tolerant towards me as well.
Please, give a brief summary: what’s behind us?
We have introduced new funds for staff – for upgrading teaching labs and supporting the publication of research results. We have carried out procedures for the payment of one-off special allowances, and we have increased the rate for overtime hours for academic staff. The second edition of the Academic Open Budget is behind us, which is very popular and demonstrates the diverse needs of our community. We have completed the refurbishment of the Collegium Antropologicum. And, of course, the first successful juvenilia in four years is behind us.
Juvenilia next year. Is it possible?
Yes, I think it is possible. I regret that this year it was not possible to unite all the Universities of Wrocław at the juvenilia. For my part, I declare that I will do everything to integrate the student community. We need to help young people to organise common student events, the way they should always be organised. We should set an example to them, show them positive fields of cooperation. But above all, I would like the student festivities to be free of political games.
What awaits us in the near future?
First and foremost, decisions regarding the process of merging our university with the Wroclaw Medical University.
This is accompanied by enormous emotions.
This is true. A public debate in the media, triggered by emotional statements made by some employees of the University of Wrocław, neither fosters a good atmosphere at the university, nor does it build our unity and a positive image. And focusing only on one element of the whole process, namely the analysis of the University of Kielce, is a misunderstanding. Work on consolidation is ongoing at many levels. Eight working groups, a steering committee – everyone is working on all aspects of the process.
The final decision rests with the senates of the University of Wrocław and the Wroclaw Medical University.
Yes, and the only thing that can be said today is that the process of merging the two universities under the current provisions of the Act – Law on Higher Education and Science – will simply not work and is unfavourable. Which does not close the way for the cooperation between our universities that has been going on for years. And we intend to strengthen it all the time.
What comes to mind when you think of the phrase ‘artificial intelligence’?
Seriously?
Yes, on a serious note.
The discussion about the tool of artificial intelligence has been going on for a long time. It has crept into our lives on many levels. There are areas where it doesn’t bother us. But there are also areas where it is not welcome. Perhaps this is a good time to create a catalogue of good practices at our university with regard to the use of this tool in, for example, research work or teaching.
So the scope of the term “good practices” is expanding? They no longer refer only to the quality of education, the legal or financial order or the actions of the administration. It seems that in the age of the internet and social media, they are taking on a completely different meaning than they did a dozen years ago?
Yes. But it’s a bit like academic customs. Certain values do not evolve. Integrity remains integrity.
There are also investments and renovations ahead.
Yes, we have managed to sell the Zaułek hotel, and I hope that the money raised from this will feed into the renovation fund. The modern greenhouses in the Botanic Garden have been put into use, and further investments in the Garden are ahead of us. Among other things, we are also planning to adapt the library at ul. Szajnochy for the purposes of archiving faculty documents – the sale of this building is doomed to failure due to the conservation protection of the building and its interior.
Changes are being prepared at the Wydawnictwo Uniwersyteckie (University Publishing House).
Yes. It will cease to operate as an external company and become a university unit. In doing so, we want to increase its publishing efficiency above all.
And when will we overcome unnecessary bureaucracy?
We are still working on reducing it. I hope that by simplifying procedures, but above all with the understanding and goodwill of all participants, we will eventually be able to restore logic to some administrative processes, especially those related to public procurement. Let us remember that behind every decision there is a human being.
What do you consider to be the greatest success of recent months?
Undoubtedly the raising of significant investment funds. But I am also proud of our academic community for being so united and standing up for the fundamental principles that freedom of research is an essential element of the autonomy of any university.
Interviewed by: Katarzyna Górowicz-Maćkiewicz
Translated by Julia Strzykała (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
