The event, held on October 9 at WUM’s Didactic Center, was hosted by Prof. Piotr Luliński, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy.
“You are beginning another stage of your education and personal development. It is a challenging but important stage in everyone’s life, bringing much satisfaction through deepening your knowledge and acquiring new skills,” said the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy during the opening of the matriculation ceremony. “It is also an important period in your personal life, involving making new acquaintances, forming close relationships, and building friendships.”
The Dean also reminded those present that this year’s matriculation ceremony was taking place in a special year for the Faculty of Pharmacy, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The Faculty was established in 1926 as an independent academic unit of the University of Warsaw.
Studying as a privilege and a commitment
Prof. Marcin Sobczak, WUM Vice Rector for Science and Technology Transfer, attended the ceremony as a guest. In his address, he emphasized that beginning studies at the Faculty of Pharmacy was both a privilege and a commitment. He drew attention to the Faculty’s high position in rankings and the highest scientific category, A+, awarded by the Minister of Education and Science, which the Faculty received. The Vice Rector also emphasized that studying at the Faculty opens up a wide range of career opportunities for graduates, including in health care, industry, regulatory agencies, research and development departments, and academia.
A few words about values and change
Prof. Olga Ciepiela, Vice Dean for Education in the Medical Analytics program at the Faculty of Pharmacy, pointed out that by taking the oath, students were beginning not only their education but also their journey toward a profession of public trust. She emphasized that future laboratory diagnosticians should combine knowledge and skills with responsibility, integrity, and respect for others. She also reminded students that a future professional’s attitude takes shape during their studies, through everyday interactions and their approach to their own responsibilities.
“Behind every laboratory test result is a person, a patient who expects us to demonstrate not only knowledge and skills but also responsibility, reliability, and honesty. Today, therefore, you are beginning more than just your studies. You are embarking on a path toward a profession of public trust.”
Dr. hab. Agnieszka Bazylko, Vice Dean for Education in the Pharmacy program at the Faculty of Pharmacy, spoke about the changes taking place in the pharmacy profession, the expansion of pharmacists’ scope of practice, and the resulting reorganization of the curriculum.
“Education is increasingly moving toward a more medically oriented approach,” emphasized Dr. hab. Agnieszka Bazylko. “The profession you will enter in five years as specialists will no longer be the same as it was five or ten years ago. It will not even be the same as the profession we know today. The pharmacy profession is changing very dynamically.”
The formal oath
Following addresses by university and Faculty officials, the formal matriculation ceremony began. Prof. Piotr Luliński read the oath, and the students repeated it, pledging, among other things, to pursue knowledge and personal development with perseverance, act in accordance with the principles of ethics, and keep confidential everything they learn about patients in connection with their studies.
They also received commemorative pins symbolizing their membership in the student body and the Faculty of Pharmacy community. Prof. Olga Ciepiela presented the pins to medical analytics students, while Dr. hab. Agnieszka Bazylko presented them to pharmacy students.
Dancing with failure: The matriculation lecture
In his lecture, “Dancing with failure: From discovery to technology implementation in modern pharmacy,” Prof. Jakub Piwowarski showed students that the path to scientific discovery is rarely straightforward or predictable. Drawing on his own research into the microbiota and compounds of natural origin, he explained how results that initially seemed like failures led his team to ask further questions, develop new solutions, and ultimately file a patent application and obtain patents. He encouraged students beginning their studies not to fear setbacks but to treat them as a natural part of learning, conducting research, and seeking new solutions.
In addition to those mentioned above, the matriculation ceremony was attended by former Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy Prof. Piotr Wroczyński; academic staff representing the Faculty’s units; staff from the Dean’s Office; members of the Faculty Council; and students serving on the Student Government of the Faculty of Pharmacy.
