We celebrated the success of PhD and habilitated doctor graduates

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A ceremonial awarding of the diploma during an academic ceremony in the auditorium, in the presence of university authorities and the audience.
On January 16, in the presence of university authorities, guests, as well as families and friends, 128 individuals received their diplomas, marking the successful completion of their doctoral and habilitation proceedings at the Medical University of Warsaw.

“The awarding of diplomas to PhD and habilitated doctor graduates is one of the most notable events in the life of the university. I congratulate you on this tremendous success,” said Prof. Marcin Sobczak, Vice Rector for Science and Technology Transfer, during the ceremony.

Dear doctors…

“… You have spent many hours, months, or even years in clinics and laboratories, and you have put in significant effort to be here today. That is why I would also like to congratulate you on your perseverance, because I know it was not easy,” Prof. Sobczak continued.

He appealed to the new PhDs, regardless of whether they intended to remain at the university or not, to remember the ethics and professional standards they had been taught during their doctoral studies. He also asked them to thank their supervisors, teachers, and mentors, and to remember the beginnings of their scientific careers.

Dear habilitated doctors…

“… You are gradually becoming masters, mentors, and team leaders. You, too, bear a great responsibility: the quality of your work will determine what kind of doctoral candidates you educate,” emphasized Vice Rector Marcin Sobczak.

He asked habilitated doctors to remember to set high standards while treating collaborators fairly, because scientific success depends on teamwork.

Continuous professional development

At the end of his speech, Prof. Sobczak reminded all graduates that medical, pharmaceutical, and health professions require lifelong learning and updating knowledge on a continuous basis.

“I know it is not easy, but as my mentor used to say, we are fortunate that our work is also our passion. And that is the most important thing,” the Vice Rector concluded.

Awarding of diplomas

The habilitated doctors received their diplomas first. In 2025, 13 individuals obtained a degree in medical sciences, one in health sciences, and one in pharmaceutical sciences.

The PhD graduates received their diplomas next, following the administration of the oaths. They pledged to support the university in its mission, uphold the dignity of the doctoral title, advance science, and spread truth for the benefit of humanity. The diplomas were presented to the graduates in the presence of their supervisors. 

In 2025, a total of 113 individuals were awarded the PhD degree at the Medical University of Warsaw: 85 in medical sciences, 25 in health sciences, and two in pharmaceutical sciences.

Diplomas were conferred by the Rector, Prof. Rafał Krenke, Vice Rector Prof. Marcin Sobczak, and the Chairs of the Discipline Councils: Prof. Marta Struga, Chair of the Medical Sciences Discipline Council; Prof. Robert Gałązkowski, Chair of the Health Sciences Discipline Council; and Prof. Sebastian Granica, Chair of the Pharmaceutical Sciences Discipline Council.

Thanks for the support and opportunities for growth

“Our fields are united not only by concern for human health, but also by a shared foundation: the courage to ask questions, especially when the answers are not obvious. It takes courage to admit that we do not yet know something. It takes even greater courage to make that the starting point for further inquiry,” said Katarzyna Mańka-Malara, Dr. hab. in medical sciences and health sciences, speaking on behalf of the habilitated doctors.

She expressed gratitude to the Rector for creating an environment in which science is a space for inquiry, dialogue, and shared responsibility, and to the university authorities and Senate for supporting research and scientific development. She extended special thanks to mentors, department heads, and collaborators, thanks to whom science is not a competition but a sharing of passion and knowledge. She concluded by wishing her colleagues an enduring passion for exploration and discovery.

Małgorzata Osmola, Dr. in medical sciences and health sciences, also offered thanks, speaking on behalf of the PhD graduates. She addressed words of appreciation to the reviewers for their time, thoroughness, and comments, which improved the doctoral dissertations, as well as to families and loved ones for their support, understanding, and patience in listening to stories about the PhD journey.

“Dear doctors, the fact that you are here is not a coincidence. It is the result of work, perseverance, and determination. You have already taken the official oath, but I would like to propose one more, a completely informal one: that today you say to yourselves, ‘I thank myself for not giving up, for working hard, and for being here today.’ I congratulate us all wholeheartedly and wish that your continued relationship with science will not be complicated, but stable and deeply fulfilling,” Dr. Osmola concluded.

At the end of the ceremony, the Choir performed a short concert, and a commemorative photograph was taken. Closing the event, Vice Rector Prof. Marcin Sobczak addressed the honorees once more:

“I wish you continued success. Celebrate today, and then return to your hard work, because the world and patients are waiting for the results of your research.”

In addition to those mentioned above, the ceremony also featured:  Prof. Agnieszka Cudnoch-Jędrzejewska, Vice Rector for Clinical Affairs and Investments; Prof. Marek Kuch, Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Education; Deputy Chairs of the Medical Sciences Discipline Council, Prof. Tomasz Jakimowicz and Prof. Bartosz Foroncewicz; Prof. Janusz Wyzgał, Deputy Chair of the Health Sciences Discipline Council; Prof. Maciej Dawidowski, Deputy Chair of the Pharmaceutical Sciences Discipline Council; Prof. Paweł Włodarski, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Prof. Mariusz Gujski, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences; Dr. hab. Piotr Luliński, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy; Prof. Renata Główczyńska, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Vice Deans of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr. hab. Łukasz Czyżewski and Dr. hab. Patryk Rzońca; Prof. Marek Krawczyk, Rector of the Medical University of Warsaw from 2008 to 2016; and Dr. Marta Kijak-Bloch, Chancellor of the Medical University of Warsaw.
 

Several dozen PhD holders and habilitated doctors in academic gowns stand in rows during the ceremony. The individuals are looking straight ahead.
Several dozen PhD holders and habilitated doctors in academic gowns stand in rows during the ceremony. The individuals are looking straight ahead. One woman is looking directly into the camera lens.”
Several hundred PhD holders and habilitated doctors in academic gowns are standing in the auditorium, facing the university authorities. In front of them stands a group of professors in ceremonial gowns. Behind the lectern stands the vice‑rector, with other members of the university leadership seated nearby
The vice‑rector, dressed in a ceremonial gown, stands at the lectern and addresses the participants. He rests his hands on the podium and looks toward the audience. Next to him stands the university banner. Several people sitting in the front rows are listening to the speech.”
A woman in an academic gown stands opposite two professors and holds a document. The rector is shaking her hand, and another man stands beside him.
A woman in a black academic gown receives a document from the rector. She is smiling.
A man in a black academic gown receives a diploma from the rector. In the background, other people are seated on red chairs.
Several dozen people in black academic gowns stand and take the doctoral oath.
A man in an academic gown shakes hands with one of the three professors standing in front of him. He is holding a document in his other hand and looking toward the professor.
A woman in an academic gown approaches a group of three professors and holds a document. She extends her hand toward the professor standing closest to her. The professor reciprocates the gesture.
Four people stand together during the ceremony. The graduate in an academic gown stands in the middle, holding a document in front of her. On both sides of her stand professors in ceremonial gowns, looking toward the photographer.
Five people stand together during the ceremony. The graduate in an academic gown holds a document and stands in the middle of the group. On both sides of him stand professors in ceremonial gowns. All of them are looking toward the photographer.
Six people stand together during the ceremony. The graduate and her supervisor, both in academic gowns, stand in the center holding a document. Professors in ceremonial gowns stand on either side of them. All of them are looking toward the photographer.
Six people stand together during the ceremony. The graduate in an academic gown stands in the middle holding a document. On both sides of him stand two people in graduation gowns and three professors in ceremonial gowns. All of them are looking toward the photographer.
Five people stand together during the ceremony. The graduate in an academic gown stands in the middle holding a document. On both sides of her stand the vice‑rectors and the chair of the disciplinary council, all dressed in gowns. All of them are looking toward the photographer.
The graduate in an academic gown stands opposite four people and holds the document with both hands. She hands it to the professor in a light‑coloured gown, who reaches out to take it.
The graduate in an academic gown shakes hands with a professor in a red gown and looks in his direction. She holds a document in her other hand. Behind her stand three other people in ceremonial gowns.
A woman in an academic gown stands behind the lectern and addresses the participants of the ceremony. She looks straight ahead and keeps her hands folded on the lectern. The microphone is positioned right next to her face.
A woman in an academic gown stands by the lectern and addresses the audience. She rests one hand on the lectern and slightly raises the other. She is looking straight ahead.
Many people in academic gowns are seated in rows, looking toward the lectern. In front of them stands the graduate in an academic gown, delivering a speech.
University authorities in ceremonial gowns are seated in the front row, applauding. Next to them sit the graduates in black gowns. Behind them, additional rows of participants observe the course of the ceremony. Everyone is looking toward the stage.
Seven people stand in a semicircle and perform a piece during the ceremony. They are holding open songbooks and looking toward the audience. One person raises a hand and conducts. In the front rows, the participants of the ceremony are seated.
The graduate holds a folder with the university’s logo and rests it against the back of a red chair. He is seated among other participants of the ceremony, who are also wearing gowns.
A large group of graduates and university staff pose together in the auditorium. In the front row, the university authorities in ceremonial gowns sit and look toward the photographer. Behind them stand dozens of graduates in gowns, smiling, waving, and raising their hands in a gesture of joy. In the background, additional participants are seated.