The University of Rzeszów is proud to host the 11th edition of the National Science Centre (NCN) Days – one of the most significant annual events for the Polish academic community. Over the course of two days, the university campus will serve as a forum for critical discussion on the future of science, research funding, open data, and artificial intelligence. The opening ceremony welcomed representatives from the Ministry, local authorities, university rectors, and experts from across Poland.

On May 12–13, 2025, Rzeszów became the focal point of the national debate on the future of science. This year’s edition of NCN Days, co-organized by the University of Rzeszów, gathers scholars, doctoral students, and research administrators from all over the country. Held annually in a different academic center, the event provides a vital platform for dialogue on the challenges and directions of scientific research in Poland.

The official opening, held in the St. Jadwiga the Queen Auditorium, brought together figures from the worlds of academia, politics, and public administration. Representing the Minister of Science and Higher Education was Kinga Kurowska-Wilczyńska, Deputy Director of the Department of Science. Among the distinguished guests were Teresa Kubas-Hul, Voivode of the Podkarpackie Province; Konrad Fijołek, President of Rzeszów; Marcin Deręgowski, Deputy President of Rzeszów; Jerzy Bednarz, Deputy Head of Rzeszów County; Jerzy Borcz, Chair of the Podkarpackie Regional Assembly; Professor Piotr Koszelnik, Rector of Rzeszów University of Technology and a member of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland (KRASP); Professor Tomasz Dietl, Chair of the NCN Council; and Professor Krzysztof Jóźwiak, Director of the National Science Centre.

“There can be no effective teaching without scientific advancement.”
– Professor Adam Reich

In his welcoming address, Professor Adam Reich, Rector of the University of Rzeszów, emphasized that hosting the NCN Days is no coincidence. “We are deeply honored that the University of Rzeszów has been chosen as this year’s host of the NCN Days. It is a tremendous distinction, but also a responsibility toward the entire academic community of our region,” he stated. He underscored that scientific development and internationalization are key pillars of the University’s strategy for the coming years.

“We are here to build an academic community capable of cooperation beyond the borders of institutions and disciplines.”
– Professor Jolanta Szempruch

The event is not only informative in nature but also strategic. NCN Days serve as a space for dialogue—between decision-makers and researchers, between administration and academia, and between local perspectives and the international research landscape. This is why the contribution of Professor Jolanta Szempruch, Vice-Rector for Research and International Relations and the university's main coordinator of the event, was particularly significant. “This is not just a celebration of the NCN, but above all a celebration of science in the Podkarpackie region,” she said. “We are here not only to broaden our knowledge about research funding but to foster a sense of community capable of cross-institutional and interdisciplinary cooperation.”

The first day featured discussions on the role of artificial intelligence in science, open access to research data, and the quality and internationalization of Polish science. Of particular interest were the workshops dedicated to administrative staff from research institutions and the simulation of an NCN peer review panel – a unique, nationwide initiative designed to help researchers understand the evaluation process behind grant applications.

Professor Krzysztof Jóźwiak, Director of the National Science Centre, reminded participants that the NCN’s mission extends beyond funding: it is also about cultivating a culture of collaboration and transparency. “We want to be ever closer to the academic community throughout Poland—to listen, to advise, and to support. NCN Days are our way of engaging in genuine dialogue,” he noted.

By co-organizing this event together with the City of Rzeszów and the Regional Labour Office, the University of Rzeszów has affirmed its role not only as a regional leader in science but also as an active participant in the national academic discourse. The event also brings together numerous institutional partners from the region, including universities in Jarosław, Krosno, Przemyśl, Tarnobrzeg, and Sanok, as well as organizations such as the Regional Labour Office and the Podkarpackie Innovation Centre (PCI).

Photo: Łukasz Bera / NCN