Campus life [2026-10-02]

The New Academic Year Has Begun

— Editors

– We are beginning the academic year with the conviction that Nicolaus Copernicus University has the potential to help shape the future of European science. Our task is to turn this potential into the conditions necessary for conducting ambitious research, high-quality education and opportunities for the development of the entire community," said His Magnificence the Rector of Nicolaus Copernicus University, prof. dr habil. Andrzej Tretyn, during the ceremonial inauguration of the 2026/2027 academic year.

The opening ceremony for the academic year took place, traditionally, in the University Main Auditorium. Earlier, in Toruń's Old Town Market Square, members of the Nicolaus Copernicus University Senate laid flowers at the monument of Nicolaus Copernicus, the University's patron.

In his inaugural address, the Rector emphasised the University's research aspirations, which were reflected not only in the 'Initiative of Excellence – Research University' programme, but also in the results of the evaluation of research activity for the years 2022–2025.

Of the thirty disciplines assessed, five were awarded an A+ rating: archaeology, history, physical sciences, political and administrative sciences, and theological sciences. A further thirteen were awarded an A rating, as Prof. Andrzej Tretyn pointed out. – These results are the fruit of years of research, collaboration and the consistent development of research teams. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this success: the researchers, the heads of the disciplines, and the staff who support the organisation and documentation of academic activity.

In line with the development of its research potential, the University is strengthening its European focus.

This is the first time that, as a university, we have been so actively involved in the discussion on the shape of the European Union's next framework programme for research and innovation, the Rector reminded the audience, referring to the University's involvement in the Young European Research Universities (YERUN) network. The YUFE alliance, NCU's inclusion in the EURAXESS network and the implementation of prestigious joint degree programmes funded by Erasmus Mundus also serve to strengthen international cooperation.

Furthermore, the Rector also outlined the challenges facing the University, including those related to the development of artificial intelligence, and highlighted the opportunities presented by an investment plan on a scale not seen since the construction of the university campus over half a century ago: – In total, we will allocate over 600 million zlotys to ongoing and planned investments and modernisation projects. This ambitious plan would not be possible without support from the state budget and EU funds – said the Rector, before listing the most important projects: the construction of the University Centre for Dentistry, the extension of University Hospital No. 2, the establishment of the Children's Treatment Centre at University Hospital No. 1, and the thermal modernisation of the Main Library and the Rectorate.

A key part of the official opening ceremony was the matriculation ceremony, which symbolically welcomed the first-year students into the academic community. Pupils starting their education at the University Secondary School also joined our community.

Moreover, the start of the academic year also provided an opportunity to present the awards for 'Best Graduate', 'Best Student', 'Best Student Athlete' and 'Best University Secondary School Pupil'.

Mgr Filip Marek Garnicz-Garnicki, who graduated in law from the Faculty of Law and Administration, was named the best graduate of Nicolaus Copernicus University in the past academic year. The laureate has a track record of many impressive academic achievements, recognised by prestigious awards and scholarships, including numerous publications, conference presentations and successes in competitions and moot courts.

The Senate has also recognised Dorota Chmielniak, a second-cycle student of cosmetic chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry, as the best student at Nicolaus Copernicus University last year. The winner stands out not only for her excellent academic results, but above all for her exceptionally mature and consistently developed body of academic work. In the 2025/2026 academic year, she achieved a grade point average of 4.96.

The title of 'Best Student Athlete' for the 2025/2026 academic year was awarded to Anna Matuszewicz, a track and field athlete representing both her university and her country (her home club is MKL Toruń). The winner is pursuing a dual career, combining world-class competitive sport with a demanding law degree – now in her fourth year at the Faculty of Law and Administration at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń – which requires her full commitment. One of Anna Matuszewicz's most recent achievements is setting the Polish indoor record in the long jump with a distance of 6.77 m (the previous record had stood for 46 years).

The NCU Senate also decided to award a distinction for raising the University's profile on the international stage. The award went to Mikołaj Tański, a first-year student of the second-cycle studies in archaeology a participant in numerous international conferences and co-author of publications on, amongst other things, the history of underwater archaeology.

During the ceremony, the cup was also presented to the winners of the Inter-Faculty Olympiad – 'Copernicada'. The trophy went to the team representing the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences.

The title of 'Best Pupil at the University Secondary School' was awarded to Patryk Sudzik, a final-year pupil specialising in mathematics, geography, business and management, who has won eight national academic competitions.

The ceremony was marked by an inaugural lecture entitled 'In a world of vanishing glaciers: Half a century of research and life at the NCU Polar Station in Svalbard', delivered by dr habil. Ireneusz Sobota, NCU Prof from the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management.

The inauguration is accompanied by two exhibitions. On 1 October at 2.30 pm, the Fine Arts Section in the Academic Relaxation Area of the University Library hosted the opening of the exhibition “Graphic Structures", showcasing woodcuts by Dawid Ławicki. On 2 October at 5.00 pm, the University Museum will host the opening of the exhibition “Composing Colour: Józef Jarema and Maria Sperling", dedicated to the work of two outstanding artists of the 20th-century Polish modernist movement, who were united not only by their shared artistic explorations but also by a long-standing friendship and collaboration.