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University Day
The conferral of the special Convallaria Copernicana and Laurus Aesculapii awards will add splendour to the University Day celebrations, which Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń holds on 19 February, the birthday of its patron.
The University Day celebrations will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the laying of flowers at the monument to Ludwik Kolankowski, and at 10:15 a.m. at the monument to Nicolaus Copernicus in the Old Town Square on the 553rd anniversary of the birth of the University's patron. From 11:00 a.m., the celebrations will continue in the Nicolaus Copernicus University Auditorium.
A special part of this year's celebration will be the conferral of university awards. Convallaria Copernicana, awarded since 2004 by the University Senate for outstanding contributions to science or special services to the development of the University, will go to Dr Cecylia Iwaniszewska, the first graduate of astronomy at NCU, a long-time employee of the NCU Astronomical Observatory, as well as a social activist and populariser of astronomy. Interestingly, Dr Cecylia Iwaniszewska was the originator of the name of the award – Convallaria Copernicana – which she will receive this year.
The Laurus Aesculapii award, an honorary distinction granted since 2024 for outstanding contributions to science and special merits for the development of the Nicolaus Copernicus University Collegium Medicum, will be awarded to Prof. Ryszard Oliński, one of the organisers of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Medical Academy in Bydgoszcz, founder of the Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Vice-Rector for Science and International Cooperation at the Medical Academy in 1991-1996, and from 2012 to 2016 – Deputy Rector for Science and International Cooperation. His scientific work focuses primarily on the pathogenesis of cancer and the use of molecular biology, genomics and proteomics methods for its early detection, as well as the development of new methods for the treatment of malignant tumours.
During University Day, the "Ratio et Spes" Scientific Award will also be awarded to Prof. Ronald J. Krotoszynski Jr., a lecturer at the University of Alabama School of Law, where he is a professor in the John S. Stone Chair, Director of Research, and Director of the Constitutional Studies Programme and Civic Engagement Initiative.
The event will be accompanied by the presentation of the Medal of Merit for the Development of the University and the title of Honorary Professor of NCU. We will also meet a group of new NCU Ambassadors, i.e. NCU graduates with significant achievements in science, culture, art, politics or business, who promote the University in their daily activities.
On 19 February, during the ceremony in the NCU Auditorium, diplomas will also be awarded to newly habilitated doctors, and doctoral students will be promoted.
As part of the University Day celebrations, a ceremony awarding medals and state honours to NCU employees will be held the day before, on 18 February at 10:00 a.m. in Collegium Maximum, and a concert entitled 'Classical Hit List' is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. in the NCU Auditorium. The star of the evening will be Korean pianist Hyunjin Roh, winner of the 13th International I.J. Paderewski Piano Competition. Free invitations to the concert are available to NCU employees, students, and doctoral students at the Rector's Office (Rectorate, 11 Gagarina Street). To select seats and obtain additional information, please call 56 611 42 44 or 56 611 42 30.
