On 8 October 2025 at 11:00, Poznań University of Technology officially inaugurated the Academic Year 2025/2026.

The ceremony was honored by the presence of representatives of state, local, and church authorities, the academic and scientific community, the Polish Armed Forces and Police, the University Council, and public administration. Also present were presidents and directors of local and regional enterprises, as well as heads of professional societies, organizations, associations, and cooperating banks. Members of the Academic Senate, University Staff, Senior Members, and Students also participated.

A moment of silence was held to commemorate members of the academic community who passed away:

• Prof. Tadeusz Morzy
• Dr. Adam Lejwoda
• Janina Jakubowska
• Marek Gumny
• Prof. Tadeusz Puchałka – Rector of PUT (1984–1985)
• Prof. Aleksander Kordus – Vice-Rector (1985–1990)
• Prof. Andrzej Dobrogowski
• Prof. Czesław Grabarczyk
• Prof. Stefan Joniak
• Prof. Andrzej Królikowski
• Prof. Romuald Świtka
• Dr. Stanisław Woelke, Prof. PUT
• Dr. Władysław Golik
• Dr. Jerzy Ozorowski
• Maria Kierzyńska-Józefowska
• Henryk Szymański

Rector Prof. Teofil Jesionowski summarized the past academic year, which was exceptionally intense and rich in events, and officially opened the new Academic Year 2025/2026, wishing everyone goodness, happiness, and prosperity: QUOD BONUM FELIX FAUSTUM FORTUNATUMQUE SIT!

The central part of the ceremony was the matriculation of first-year students, conducted by the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education, Assoc. Prof. Agnieszka Misztal. The matriculation of doctoral students was conducted jointly by  Vice-rector Misztal and Director of the Doctoral School, Prof. Alina Dudkowiak.

A longstanding tradition of the University is to present symbolic indices to alumni who began their studies fifty years ago. The re-matriculation ceremony was performed by the Vice-Rector for Research, Prof. Wojciech Sumelka.

The inaugural lecture is an integral part of the academic year opening. This year’s lecture, titled “Technologies That Change the World and Our Expectations”, was delivered by Piotr Beńke, Executive Director of Technology, IBM North, Central, and Eastern Europe.

Following the lecture, guest speakers addressed the audience:

• Dariusz Standerski, Secretary of State, Ministry of Digital Affairs
• Karolina Fabiś-Szulc, First Deputy Voivode of Greater Poland
• Jolanta Musielak, Chairwoman of the University Council
• Maja Kurzawska, Chairwoman of the Student Government

The ceremony continued with the presentation of medals and awards to students and graduates, led by Vice-rector Agnieszka Misztal.

“Outstanding PUT Graduate” medals were awarded to:

• Agata Domańska, M.Sc. Eng.
• Katarzyna Pietrzak, M.Sc. Eng.
• Piotr Radomski, M.Sc. Eng.
• Jakub Reczkowski, M.Sc. Eng.
• Patryk Zych, M.Sc. Eng.

Awards and letters of congratulations for outstanding academic achievements were presented to:

• Weronika Ejm, M.Sc. Eng.
• Zuzanna Gawrysiak, M.Sc. Eng.
• Weronika Marchewka, M.Sc. Eng.
• Ada Żurawik, M.Sc. Eng.
• Jad Ismail, M.Sc. Eng.

PUT students and doctoral candidates also achieved remarkable sports success. Recognizing their efforts, the Rector awarded the top athletes:

• Aleksandra Matczak (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering) – 3rd place, AMP Football World Championship, Colombia, November 2024
• Szymon Pacholczyk (Faculty of Automation, Robotics, and Electrical Engineering) – 2nd place team, fencing (foil), 32nd Summer Universiade, Ren-Ruhr, Germany, July 2025; 2nd place team, Polish U23 Fencing Championship; 3rd place team, Polish Senior Fencing Championship

Prof. Tomasz Łodygowski was honored as an Honorary Member of AZS, presented by Adam Wojtyś and Tomasz Szponder.

The ceremony concluded with the Rector’s Special Awards for outstanding achievements in teaching and research, presented by Vice-Rector for Research, Prof. Wojciech Sumelka.

Teaching Achievements – Special Award (II degree):

• Dr. Hanna Michalak, Prof. PUT (Faculty of Architecture) – for establishing the research studio “Architecture and Fashion”, a creative space for student experimentation and innovative approaches in architecture and fashion design, culminating in the “Architecture and Fashion” event, Old Market, Poznan, 3 August 2024.

Scientific Achievements – Individual Awards (I degree):

• Prof. Piotr Marciniak (Faculty of Architecture) – for a series of publications (595 points, MNiSW) and pioneering studies using an original research method for modernist architecture in Kalisz and Poznań, including the award-winning residential building at Kościelna 23, Poznań
• Prof. Miłosz Kadziński, PUT (Faculty of Computing and Telecommunications) – for a series of publications on decision analysis, securing EU ENKORE project funding, and receiving top journal awards

Scientific Achievements – Team Award (II degree):

• Dr. Łukasz Gierz, Dr. Bartosz Wieczorek, Dr. Łukasz Warguła (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering) – for research on operational and technological processes and material properties in mechatronic structures and agricultural machinery design

The event was highlighted by a performance of the PUT Choir “Volantes Soni”, conducted by Dr. Paweł Łuczak.

“Gaudeamus igitur, iuvenes dum sumus! Post iucundam iuventutem, post molestam senectutem, nos habebit humus.”