On Sunday, October 19, in accordance with a long-standing tradition, the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (KUL) held a ceremonial inauguration of the 2025/2026 academic year. The event, which brought together representatives of the academic community from across the country, was also attended by Prof. Gertruda Uścińska, Rector of the Nicolaus Copernicus Superior School.
The celebrations of the new academic year at Lublin’s oldest university began with a Holy Mass presided over by His Excellency František Trstenský, Bishop of Spiš. The official part of the ceremony was then opened by the rector of KUL, Rev. Prof. Mirosław Kalinowski, who recalled the mission of the university, which combines research and educational activities with the formation of young people, shaping their attitudes and characters.
In his speech, the rector summarized the most important achievements of the university in the past year. These included high positions in international rankings, the scientific successes of its staff, an increase in admission limits for medical studies, and the dynamic development of the Collegium Medicum. He also emphasized the importance of research and teaching that responds to contemporary geopolitical and technological challenges, including the development of artificial intelligence and social and cultural changes.
The highlight of the ceremony was the matriculation of new students, during which they took their oaths and joined the KUL academic community. The program also included the presentation of awards to academic staff and an inaugural lecture by Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, Rector of the University of Warsaw.
The ceremony ended with a speech by the Grand Chancellor of KUL, Archbishop Stanisław Budzik, and a concert by the KUL Choir conducted by Prof. Grzegorz Pecka. The university authorities received congratulatory letters from all over the country, including from the President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki.
The participation of the Rector of SGMK in the inauguration was an expression of the importance of cooperation between the academic community and mutual relations between universities in Poland.
