Campus life [2026-06-25]

Out into the World with Copernicus

— Editors

The “NCU Goodbye Party" was held to say farewell to this year's international graduates of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. On Saturday 20 June, students from 13 countries received their congratulatory letters, and the event culminated with a picnic at the Copernican Integration Centre. 

A special ceremony for international students has been organised for those who will be unable to attend the graduation ceremonies held by individual faculties in the autumn and winter. The idea for this first-ever event in the university's history is the result of collaboration between the Nicolaus Copernicus University Alumni Programme and the Copernican Integration Centre. According to the organisers, this marks the beginning of a new tradition.

Students who had come to study at the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń from Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Lebanon, Morocco, Germany, Russia, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Venezuela and Italy said goodbye to the university. The NCU Academic Choir provided the ceremonial backdrop for the event at the 'Od Nowa' Club, joining the audience in singing 'Gaudeamus igitur' – the most popular academic hymn in Latin, stemming from medieval student tradition. Participants also listened to a commemorative lecture by prof. dr habil. Włodzisław Duch, entitled “Man in the Digital Age of Artificial Intelligence", which reflected on the relationship between human potential and technology. The graduates also had the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the wide range of activities offered by the Nicolaus Copernicus University Alumni Programme, which will enable them to maintain a lasting connection with their alma mater.

The highlight of the event was the ceremonial presentation of the congratulatory letters by the university authorities – the Vice-Rector for International Relations - dr habil. Magdalena Barwiołek, NCU Prof. the Deans and the theses supervisors.

Following the official ceremonies and commemorative photo sessions, the graduates took part in a farewell picnic at the Copernican Integration Centre. The afternoon outdoors was enlivened by team-building games, music and refreshments. Among other things, the former students had the chance to write a letter to their future selves, which they will read in 10 years' time, and to showcase traditions from their home countries. Those who wished to do so also had the opportunity to share their experiences of studying at the Nicolaus Copernicus University on camera.

Further information, including a full photo gallery, can be found on the event page.

This event is organised as part of the 'Welcome to Poland, Welcome to NCU – Grow among Us' (Welcome to Poland – 2024 Intake) project, funded by the European Social Fund 2021–2027 (FERS), as part of the project implemented by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange entitled “Support for ~Higher Education and Research Institutions in Assisting Foreign Nationals and Polish Citizens Going Abroad", No. FERS.01.05-IP.08-0003/24.