Medical University of Warsaw
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We open the 2023/2024 academic year

On the left a young man in a suit, on the right a middle-aged man in a rector's toga - red and white touches the young man's shoulder with a scepter.
The formal inauguration of the academic year is one of the most important events in the life of the university. It is a time to take stock of what is behind us and to draw ambitious plans for the future. And it is also a moment to welcome newly admitted students and doctoral students who have bound their professional dreams to us. - As of today, you are part of the 200-year tradition of teaching medicine in Warsaw. Thank you and I wish you good luck and success - Professor Zbigniew Gaciong, Rector of the Medical University of Warsaw, said to the matriculated.

The inauguration of the academic year took place on October 5 in the Prof. J. Piekarczyk auditorium at the Didactic Center MUW. It was attended by a group of distinguished guests and representatives of the entire academic community, including students and PhD students who were admitted to the first year of study with the highest scores. Those gathered were welcomed by the host of the event, Rector Professor Zbigniew Gaciong. In his inaugural speech, he presented the history of the teaching of medicine in Warsaw, of which the university is particularly proud, the achievements to date in science, clinical and teaching activities, and the plans the university would like to implement in the coming years.

The past

This is more than two centuries of history, with origins dating back to 1809 and the establishment of the Academic and Medical Faculty. The Rector introduced the key events from the 19th century to the establishment of the Medical University of Warsaw and the figures of prominent doctors and pharmacists, including August Wolff, Józef Celiński, Dr. Jan Zaorski, Prof. Józef Brudziński, stressing that today "we are the ones who are part of this wonderful history."

The present

Today, MUW offers 16 fields of study, 15 postgraduate fields of study and an MBA study. It educates 10,017 students, as well as 270 PhD students and 400 postgraduate students. The staff includes 1,809 academic teachers, including 186 titular professors. And an excellent clinical base: 3 hospitals, more than 162 chairs, clinics, departments and laboratories for teaching, research, as well as patient care centers. - We educate representatives of all medical professions needed for the proper functioning of the health care system - said Prof. Gaciong.

The Rector recalled the numerous successes of the university - in the scientific, didactic and clinical fields. Among other things, MUW is the largest center for organ transplantation in Poland. In our departments we use the latest medical technologies, e.g. miniature pacemakers or the Da Vinci robot, our scientists are conducting as many as 315 scientific and didactic projects worth PLN 664 million. In 3 disciplines - medical, pharmaceutical and health sciences, the university has received an A category from the Ministry of Education and Science. Our students are awarded and recognized in many initiatives and competitions, including the prestigious Forbes "25 under 25" competition and the Student Nobel 2022 competition. 
- We are very proud of you - the Rector stressed.

The future

MUW's challenges include major investments: the expansion of the Clinical Ophthalmology Hospital, which is nearing completion and will bring improvements in the efficiency of patient treatment and ensure the availability of ophthalmology services. And the opening in October of the Medical Simulation Center - a unique place in the country where our students will explore simulation techniques based on phantoms, high-fidelity spaces or virtual reality. Our plans also include the expansion of the Banacha hospital and campus, the creation of the Center for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy MUW on Dalibora Street, as well as the Center for Medical Didactics and the Museum of the History of Medicine on Koszykowa Street.

Ceremonial matriculation

The Rector also addressed the new students. - You have chosen MUW from among the numerous universities training in medical professions. Thank you very much and please use this opportunity wisely and effectively. We, as MUW staff, are at your service. 

Students from each faculty were selected for the matriculation ceremony. Prof. Marek Kuch, Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Education, read out the words of the oath, which were repeated by the matriculated students. In the presence of the Deans, the Rector belted the students. Next, PhD students from the Doctoral School took the oath. The words of the oath were read by Prof. Piotr Pruszczyk, Vice Rector for Science and Technology Transfer. The PhD students received congratulations and diplomas.

The voice of the student and PhD student representatives

Agata Andrzejczyk, chairwoman of the Student Government MUW, emphasized in her speech that new students are becoming part of a unique academic community aimed at creating future medical specialists and scientists, whereas choosing MUW is an expression of awareness and maturity.

Konrad Zuzda, MD, chairman of the Doctoral Student Government MUW, spoke about the challenges and difficulties that young scientists face due to the low salaries and outlays for science in Poland. And he wished perseverance in daily duties: - So that what we do every day: teaching, learning, research and treatment - give us joy and satisfaction. These daily duties, this work from the ground up, have a chance to be a strong foundation for Polish science and an engine for the reforms we urgently need.

The inaugural lecture

The inaugural lecture entitled "My Way" was delivered by Dr. Irena Eris, a graduate of the Faculty of Pharmacy in the field of pharmacy of our university. - Science has always been very important to me. I knew it was something that could give me independence and self-reliance - she said. She stressed that pharmacy is difficult and demanding, but it gives a wide spectrum of vision of man and the world.

 
The most important ceremony of the academic year was attended by, among others: Łukasz Rzepecki, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Poland, Ewa Krajewska, Chief Pharmaceutical Inspector, Krzysztof Saczka, Deputy Chief Sanitary Inspector, Piotr Bromber, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, Renata Kaznowska, Deputy Mayor of the City of Warsaw, Sławomir Umiński, Vice Mayor of the District of Ochota, Mohamed Ahmed Salem Farea AlHarbi, Ambassador of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Poland, Ahmed Al. Mansoori, Secretary of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Poland, Fred Gatera, Representative of the Embassy of Rwanda in Poland, Vitaliy Bilyy, Counselor of the Embassy of Ukraine in Poland, Prof. Michał Kleiber, Chairman of the Polish Committee for UNESCO, former Minister of Science. The inauguration was also honored by former rectors of our university and rectors of Warsaw universities, representatives of the Polish Academy of Sciences, representatives of institutions related to our university as well as medicine and health care. Also present were directors of MUW hospitals and companies, as well as people representing church authorities, including those of other faiths. 
In addition to those mentioned above, MUW was represented by: Prof. Agnieszka Cudnoch-Jędrzejewska, Vice Rector for Human Resources, Prof. Wojciech Lisik, Vice Rector for Clinical Affairs and Investments, Prof. Paweł Włodarski, Vice Rector for International Relations, Development and Promotion as well as Chairmen of the Scientific Disciplines Councils, members of the University Council, Deans of Faculties and MUW Senators.

Musical accompaniment of the ceremony was provided by the Choir of the Medical University of Warsaw under the direction of Daniel Synowiec.

 

Two young people dressed in gala attire carrying a banner with the WUM emblem - an eagle on a red background.
A middle-aged man stands behind the lectern. He is dressed in a rector's toga in red and white. In his right hand he holds a microphone. Behind him sit several people dressed in academic togas. In the background is a grey curtain with a white and blue decoration on it.
View of the auditorium, with people of different ages in the seats, in the foreground a person standing behind the lectern, and decoration in the background.
Young people dressed in gala attire sit on red chairs and applaud.
A collection of people of different ages, dressed elegantly, sit on red chairs.
A collection of people of different ages dressed in academic attire of different colours.
A collection of people of different ages dressed in academic clothing of different colours
A collection of people of different ages dressed in academic clothing of different colours
A middle-aged man, wearing a suit and tie, stands behind the rostrum, his head turned to the left. Behind him, an inaugural decoration in white and blue with an eagle.
A middle-aged woman, with longer hair and wearing glasses, stands behind the lectern. Behind her, an inauguration decoration in white and blue with an eagle.
A middle-aged man in a suit and white shirt stands behind a lectern. Behind him an inauguration decoration in white and blue with an eagle.
A man in a red academic toga with a chain around his neck stands behind the lectern and speaks. Behind him you can see the inaugural decoration in white and blue and the flag post.
A shot of human hands with the index and middle finger folded in a gesture of pledge.
A group of young people with their right hand raised, take the oath.
A middle-aged man wearing a toga in red and white congratulates a young man dressed in a suit. Other people in the background.
A young woman with fair hair on the right receives an academic cap from the hands of a middle-aged man - on the left. A man wearing a toga in black and red. Behind him a second man in a toga. In the background, a hall filled with people.
A middle-aged woman in a red and black academic toga places a cap on a young girl's head - a symbol of matriculation.
In the background, many people sitting in red chairs. In the foreground a young girl dressed elegantly, smiling, with her back to the camera an older man who is touching her shoulder with a rector's sceptre.
A tall young man dressed in a suit receives his cap - the symbol of matriculation - from a middle-aged man dressed in a black and orange dean's toga.
In the foreground, on the left a young girl with fair hair dressed elegantly, on the right a middle-aged man in a red and white toga touches her right shoulder with a rector's sceptre. There are many people in the background.
On the left, a young girl in a black dress receives a cap - a symbol of matriculation - from a middle-aged man in a black and blue toga. Many people in the background.
A man in a red academic toga with a chain around his neck stands behind the lectern and speaks into the microphone. Behind him, several people are seated in chairs and a banner post. In the background a decoration in blue and white.
A young man with fair hair and wearing glasses, dressed smartly picks up a navy blue briefcase from a middle-aged man. There are many people in the background.
The young man - on the right receives a navy blue briefcase from the hands of the middle-aged man - on the left, dressed in a red and black academic toga. They shake hands. In the background stands a third man dressed in a red and white toga.
A young woman with dark hair, dressed in a black academic toga stands behind the lectern. Behind her is the flag post and a grey curtain and blue and white decoration.
A group of young people dressed elegantly, sit in red chairs. They are smiling at the camera. On their heads they are wearing white caps with a red brim and a black visor.
A group of young people dressed elegantly, sit in red chairs. They are smiling at the camera. On their heads they are wearing white caps with a red brim and a black visor.
A young man in a black toga, wearing glasses, stands behind the rostrum. Behind him is a banner post, with a grey curtain in the background.
6 people dressed in red academic togas stand and applaud. Beside them is a table in brown and on it the rector's sceptre. Behind them a blue and white decoration.
A middle-aged woman, dressed in a black academic toga, speaks into a microphone. Behind her, a banner post, a grey curtain.
A projection from above into the auditorium, many people, some of them wearing white caps on their heads. A lectern in the middle of the auditorium, a person stands behind it. Behind it a grey curtain and a decoration in blue and white.
On the left, a middle-aged woman, wearing a black academic toga; on the right, a middle-aged man, wearing a white and red academic toga, with glasses, hands the woman a bouquet of flowers and shakes her hand.
In the foreground, a group of people dressed in red togas. In the middle stands a middle-aged man and speaks into a microphone. In front of him is a table and a basket with white roses. Behind them stands a group of young people dressed in black. Behind them a curtain and a white and blue decoration with an eagle.
Colourful deckchairs spread out in the corridor, young people sitting on them. A screen is set up in front of them, displaying the broadcast of the inauguration.