Satisfaction and joy! New academic year begins

“Today, we begin the next academic year which promises to be more laborious than the previous one, but we are aware of the sheer number of duties and challenges awaiting us. In accordance with our tradition, this is a grand celebration of the university, enjoyed by professors, students, doctoral students, employees together with our alumni, partners, and friends from industry and economy, from the country and abroad. I believe that this year will be full of satisfaction, joy, and success,” said the AGH University Rector, Professor Jerzy Lis during the inauguration of the academic year 2023/2024 which took place at the AGH University on October 4, 2023.

Professor Jerzy Lis began his speech by thanking the leadership staff and all people working and studying at the AGH University for the previous academic year: 

“Thank you for your commitment, support, and willingness to build a strong AGH University brand.” 

For the last few years, the AGH University has been part of European Universities, which was an impulse to create a platform for working together with our foreign partners. We also integrate on the Polish ground, collaborating with national technical universities within the Network of Space Universities. We intensively develop within space engineering:  

“It is amazing to use Polish and European science for practical purposes,” concluded Professor Jerzy Lis. 

The social role of the university becomes increasingly significant in the newest concepts and models of universities of the future – it is here that values emerge. Such an updated vision of the university as a University of the Future constitutes a basis for the newly adopted and implemented AGH University Mission and Strategy. As expressed by the AGH University Rector, the most important perspectives of perceiving the university activity and priority areas were indicated in this document. According to the applied Strategy, in face of the dynamically changing education environment and increasing expectations of the academic community, our university decided to perform a complex digitalisation, with particular emphasis on the creation of a Digital University Model. This ambitious project is a response to the growing challenges in terms of education in the digital era, and, at the same time, it is an integral part of the new strategy of the university. 

Prof. Jerzy Lis underlined the importance of the role of the “The Excellence Initiative – Research University” programme implemented at the AGH University: 

“IDUB not only stimulates the development of scientific research but also creates conditions for improving the quality of education, drawing talented researchers, and reinforcing the university position on the scientific and educational field. 

With regard to the foundations of the new Strategy and the needs of the economy, a new unit began its activity at the AGH University on October 1, 2023. To join the 16 existing faculties is the Faculty of Computer Science which replaces the former unit – Institute of Computer Science at the Faculty of Computer Science, Electronics, and Communications. 

“I believe that the decision to establish a separate faculty, where matters related to computer science will be developed, will only strengthen the discipline and will contribute to the better preparation of specialists graduating from our university to perform the roles of programmers, analysts, and network administrators,” claimed the AGH University Rector. 

This year, the Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence was created at our university for the purpose of conducting scientific, development, and implementation research, and educational, expert activity popularising science as well as education in a broadly understood field of artificial intelligence. 

“Artificial intelligence is regarded as one of the most significant technologies of the future, and actions aimed at its development are one of the priorities of the best universities in the world. Our Center will work towards solutions useful in numerous areas of life,” claimed Prof. Jerzy Lis. 

Another example of our actions is cybersecurity. In the previous year, the Cybersecurity Centre, which coordinates and integrates works led in this field by university researchers and students, commenced its operation at the AGH University. The Rector stressed that the involvement of the University in building solutions in the national and regional safety sector will strengthen the position of Poland when confronted with IT threats. 

As he spoke to the AGH University community and invited guests, Professor Jerzy Lis did not hesitate to mention last year’s spectacular successes. These are, among others: financing of the UNIVERSEH consortium for the continuation of actions in 2024–2027; accreditation for the next two years from the American organisation ABET for Mechatronic Engineering conducted in English, commencement of the activity of the Cybersecurity Centre, grants for scientists for the purpose of undertaking research and development projects, students’ victories in prestigious competitions and contests. 

“It is simply impossible to list all AGH University achievements from the last academic year, I am glad to be managing an institution full of enthusiasts and professionals – wonderful people making up the AGH University family!” summed up the AGH University Rector.  

At the end, he addressed the first year students: 

“This is the very beginning of your intellectual and personal journey which you will remember for the rest of your life. Choosing university and the place to study is one of the most significant steps taken in your life and I am deeply convinced that this is the best choice.” 

The speech did not lack references to current affairs, both these related to higher education (e.g. evaluation results of the scientific activity, internationalisation, new fields of study and study organisation, growing maintenance costs) and the reality surrounding us (economic situation, care about our planet, war in Ukraine and the moral duty to support Ukrainian people on many levels). 

After the speech of the AGH University Rector, the Deputy Marshal of the Małopolska Region, Mateusz Małodziński, read the letter of the Polish Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, and then, the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Education and Science, Professor Włodzimierz Bernacki, addressed the audience. 

Subsequently, Professor Deeph Chana gave a speech. The NATO representative introduced the assumptions of the initiative in which Poland actively participates, presented the chances of Polish innovators related to the participation in the accelerator programme as well as the opportunities for the engagement of academia. The AGH University wants to be an active participant in the development of DIANA.

After the speech given by the special guest, the floor was taken by the Marshal of the Małopolska Region, Witold Kozłowski, the President of the Kraków City Council, Rafał Komarewicz, and the Chairperson of the AGH University Council, Dr Eng. Krzysztof Pawiński. 

As always, the culmination point of the inauguration was the matriculation of students. Several people representing all university faculties made the solemn oath and were symbolically included into the group of students. The ceremony was conducted by the AGH University Vice-Rector for Education, Professor Wojciech Łużny. As joyful Gaudeamus Igitur played, the AGH University Rector congratulated all newly accepted students: 

“I wish you a lot of success and perseverance in dealing with the everyday life of a student. Do not forget that education is something that almost everyone receives, many pass on, but only few have.” 

Then, the President of the AGH University Student Government, Daniel Jankowski, spoke on behalf of all students. 

During the inauguration, the recipients of Professor Władysław Takliński Awards and Professor Zbigniew Engel Awards as well as the authors of the most prestigious AGH University publishing achievements were honoured. The award ceremony was performed by the AGH University Vice-Rector for Science, Professor Marek Gorgoń. 

All gathered in the AGH University Assembly Hall observed a moment of silence in honour of colleagues and employees who had passed away in the previous academic year. 

Inaugural lecture titled “Accelerating the future of automotive: AGH Drive Open Dataset and the role of artificial intelligence in autonomous vehicles” was given by Dr hab. Eng. Joanna Jaworek-Korjakowska, AGH University associate professor, director of the Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, and deputy head of the Department of Automatic Control and Robotics at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Automatics, Computer Science, and Biomedical Engineering. The lecturer presented not only the current state of technology but also the direction in which the development of autonomous vehicles is heading. The chance to take advantage of the AGH Drive Open Dataset and artificial intelligence allows to accelerate the future of automotive in Krakow and in Poland by creating a safe, efficient, and sustainable environment on roads. 

The festivities ended with the national anthem played by the Representative Orchestra of the AGH University. 

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As many as five thousand students begin the new academic year as part of 1st cycle degree programmes. From the 1^st of October this year, a new unit began its operation and joined the 16 existing faculties, namely, the Faculty of Computer Science. The map of the AGH University Campus will soon be expanded by two more facilities key for students: a multifunctional sports hall and the Student Construction Centre. What will also be completed in the course of the new academic year is the building which will be home to, among others, the Space Technology Centre. 

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