Community Inauguration of the 2025/2026 academic year at the Universities of Wrocław and Opole

On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, the 2025/2026 Academic Year Commencement Ceremony took place in the Leopoldina Hall of the University of Wrocław. This unique event, organized by the College of Rectors of Universities in Wrocław and Opole (KRUWiO), traditionally unites the academic community of our region, symbolically opening a new year of learning, research, and student formation.

The ceremony was presided over by Rev. Prof. Sławomir Stasiak, Rector of the Pontifical Faculty of Theology in Wrocław and Chairman of the KRUWiO. In his address, he emphasized the importance of the academic community and the university's responsibility for shaping the future of the young generation.

The inauguration was attended by representatives of local government authorities, rectors of Wrocław universities, clergy, and, above all, students – especially those just beginning their academic journey. A significant moment of the event was the matriculation of first-year students, their symbolic acceptance into the Wrocław academic community.

During the ceremony, the Wrocław Scientific Award of the Mayor of Wrocław was presented. The recipients were:

Prof. Krzysztof Abramski (Wrocław University of Technology),
Prof. Janusz Degler (National Ossoliński Institute),
Prof. Bogusław Fiedor (Wrocław University of Economics).

Professor Bogusław Fiedor also delivered the inaugural lecture, "The Future of Wrocław." "The Global Crisis of Unsustainable Development," emphasizing the need for a responsible and sustainable approach to economic and social development.

The traditional culmination was a procession from University Square to Wrocław's Market Square, where, at the Aleksander Fredro monument, the city's academic community joined together to sing the anthem "Gaudeamus Igitur." It is a beautiful symbol of the unity of Wrocław's academic community.

The new academic year is a time of new challenges, discoveries, and inspiration. We wish all students, lecturers, and researchers a year full of fruitful work, creative encounters, and success.

Photo: Michał Pietrzak (Academy of Fine Arts)

Academic procession
Academic procession in the Leopoldina Hall
Guests gathered in the Leopoldina Hall during the ceremony
College of Rectors of Wrocław and Opole
Commencement of the Community Inauguration of the 2025/2026 academic year at the Universities of Wrocław and Opole
Address by the Chairman of the College of the Universities of Wrocław and Opole, Rector of the Pontifical Faculty of Theology, Rev. Prof. Dr. Hab. Sławomir Stasiak
Flag guard of the Military University of Land Forces in Wrocław
Words from the Mayor of Wrocław, Jacek Sutryk
Vice-Rector of the Medical University of Wrocław, Vice-Rectors and Standard-bearers of the Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław
The Rector of the Wrocław University of Economics, Prof. Dr. hab. Czesław Zając, delivers an introduction to the matriculation ceremony.
Matriculants
The Rector of the Wrocław University of Economics, Prof. Dr. hab. Czesław Zając, delivers an introduction to the matriculation ceremony.
The President of the KRUWiO, Rector of the Pontifical Faculty of Theology, Rev. Prof. Dr. hab. Sławomir Stasiak, performs the solemn matriculation ceremony
Przewodniczący Kapituły Wrocławskiej Nagrody Naukowej dr Jacek Ossowski
The Rector of the Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Prof. Dr. Hab. Arkadiusz Wójs, delivers a laudatory speech for Prof. Krzysztof Abramski
Guests gathered in the Leopoldina Hall during the ceremony
Winner of the Wrocław Scientific Award, Prof. Krzysztof Abramski
Winner of the Wrocław Scientific Award, Prof. Janusz Degler
Winner of the Wrocław Scientific Award, Prof. Bogusław Fiedor
Inaugural lecture by Prof. Bogusław Fiedor "The Global Crisis of Unsustainable Development"
Speech by the Chairwoman of the Legal and Financial Committee of the Management Board of the Student Government of the University of Wrocław, Natalia Winogradow
The academic procession leaves the Leopoldina Hall in the Main Building of the University of Wrocław
A ceremonial academic procession on its way to the Wrocław market square
A ceremonial academic procession on its way to the Wrocław market square
A ceremonial academic procession on its way to the Wrocław market square
A ceremonial academic procession in the Wrocław market square
Wind Orchestra of the Military University of Land Forces in Wrocław
The combined academic choirs of Wrocław under the direction of Dominik Jarocki
The combined academic choirs of Wrocław under the direction of Dominik Jarocki
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