Milestone Inauguration of the 2025/2026 Academic Year

10 October 2025, in the Main Auditorium of the VIZJA PARK campus, we inaugurated the 2025/2026 academic year. Two themes resonated in the opening remarks: the 25th anniversary of our institution and the fact that this inauguration opens a new chapter under the name VIZJA University.

Ceremony and guests on Inauguration 2025/2026

The ceremony began with the entrance of the color guard and the rectoral procession to the sound of a Chopin’s polonaise, followed by the national anthem sung together. The auditorium quickly filled with applause—the solemn atmosphere accompanied the entire event.

Honorary guests

Among the invited guests we welcomed, among others:

Prof. Andrzej Szeptycki, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Science and Higher Education,
Prof. Maria Sierpińska, Honorary Rector of VIZJA University,
Prof. Marek Cieciura, Rector of the Higher School of Information Technology,
representatives of partner and friendly universities, including Dr. Maciej Kluz (UAFM in Krakow), Dr. Janusz Mrowiec (ATANS in Warsaw), Prof. Przemysław Kowalczewski (UAFM), Prof. Filip Gołkowski (UAFM), Prof. Barbara Stoczewska (UAFM), Prof. Aleksandra Cisłak-Wójcik (SWPS University), Prof. Tomasz Wołowiec and Prof. Sylwester Bogacki (Lublin WSEI University).

Opening speeches

The first to speak was Rector of the VIZJA University, Professor Konrad Janowski, who emphasized in his address the significance of this new stage of development and the fact that university status is the fruit of 25 years of consistent work, maturing identity, the strength of research and teaching, and the courage to set ambitious goals.

“As a university, we are developing dynamically; with iron consistency we carry out our mission and remain faithful to our values.

Together we are already building an exceptional and vast social capital today, and I believe the time has come to share this capital with others,

to have an impact locally, regionally, and globally.”

[Citation from the speech: 10 Oct 2025, ceremony: Inauguration of the 2025/2026 academic year at VIZJA University, author: Rector Professor Konrad Janowski.]

Next, Marzena Godlewska, Director General of VIZJA University, addressed the academic community and guests, highlighting not only the historic dimension of the first inauguration with university status, but also the institution’s current standing and impact within the academic and educational environment.

“VIZJA University is one of the leading non-public academic centers in Poland. For many years, according to data from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, it has ranked among the institutions most frequently chosen by prospective students, both Polish and international. […] Each year, employees of VIZJA University are laureates of the Minister of Science and Higher Education’s scholarship for outstanding young scientists. Every year, our staff are among the top 2% of scientists in the world, according to the global ranking compiled by Stanford University. We successfully obtain research grants through open calls from the National Science Centre, the National Centre for Research and Development, and other bodies. Within the University, we conduct numerous advancement proceedings, which from this academic year will be carried out by a scientific federation in which VIZJA University is a participating unit.”

[Citation from the speech: 10 Oct 2025, ceremony: Inauguration of the 2025/2026 academic year at VIZJA University, author: Marzena Godlewska]

During this part of the ceremony, appointment letters were presented to the Vice-Rectors and the Rector’s appointment for a new term was confirmed. A letter from the Minister of Science and Higher Education was also read, as well as a letter from the Minister of National Defence.

Doctoral promotions and first habilitations

One of the highlights was the doctoral promotions. Degrees were conferred upon: Dr. Witold Wyporek, Dr. Paweł Piotrowski, Dr. Mateusz Ficygowski, Dr. Katarzyna Turcza, Dr. Małgorzata Kubacka, Dr. Katarzyna Bosowska, Dr. Patrycja Sylwia Rotszejn.

For the first time in the history of VIZJA University, habilitation diplomas were also awarded to Dr hab.(Associate/Assistant Professor equivalent) Karina Bedrunka-Gudaniec and Dr hab. (Associate/Assistant Professor equivalent) Agnieszka Łukaszczuk-Walter.

We warmly congratulate you on your academic achievements and wish you continued success!

Oath of first-year students

In the presence of the university authorities, first-year students took the oath, symbolically joining our community. The ceremony was conducted by Prof. Piotr Szczepankowski, Vice-Rector for Education. After the matriculation, Rector Prof. Konrad Janowski announced the start of the 2025/2026 academic year, concluding the official part with the traditional Latin formula.

Inaugural lecture by Prof. Marcin Zajenkowski

One of the guests of the inauguration was Prof. Marcin Zajenkowski (Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw; Personality Intelligence Cognition Lab), who in his lecture addressed, among other topics, narcissism and errors in self-evaluation—issues important not only in psychology but also in everyday decision-making. The lecture included, among other things:

“Awareness of one’s own limitations is the starting point for development—both individual and communal.”

After the lecture, the Director General honored the speaker with the “VIZJA Inspiration” statuette as an expression of the academic community’s gratitude to researchers who share their knowledge and experience. Thus, on the University’s 25th anniversary, a new tradition was inaugurated: awarding the statuette to eminent scholars after each inaugural lecture.

“Lecturer of the Year” Poll

As is tradition during the inauguration, we announced the results of the “Lecturer of the Year” poll—an award granted annually by our students. In the first stage of the second edition, as many as 208 students submitted their candidates. In the final vote, nearly 400 cast their ballots. The results are as follows:

1st place: Prof. Radosław Rogoza – 152 votes
2nd place: Dr. Joanna Kozaczyńska – 77 votes
3rd place: Dr. Paweł Rydzewski – 46 votes

The Director General offered formal congratulations to the Laureates and presented dedicated statuettes.

We thank all students for their active participation in the voting, and we extend our warmest congratulations to our Lecturers!

At the close of the inauguration 2025/2026

The recessional of the banner and the rectoral procession crowned a celebration that brought together tradition and the future—and above all, an exceptional community which, as the Director General emphasized in her speech, constitutes the bedrock and strength of our University.

“People are the greatest value of every institution. Specific individuals who have the capacity to exert a positive influence on their surroundings. They identify with the goals and can deliver on them. For themselves, for you, for everyone. Often without any special reason. They want to grow and carry out ambitious projects. This is VIZJA University’s greatest treasure.”

[Citation from the speech: 10 Oct 2025, ceremony: Inauguration of the 2025/2026 academic year at VIZJA University, author: Marzena Godlewska.]

Broadcast of the event is available to watch on VIZJA University’s YouTube channel:
LINK TO THE LIVE BROADCAST (The ceremony starts at minute 23)