“I hereby declare the academic year 2025/2026 at the University of Rzeszów open. Quod felix faustum fortunatumque sit.”
— Professor Adam Reich, Rector of the University of Rzeszów

On 1 October 2025, the 25th inauguration of the academic year in the history of the University of Rzeszów took place at the Podkarpackie Philharmonic Hall.
This special celebration, one of the most important events in the academic life of our community, brought together the University’s authorities, staff members, students, and invited guests.

In the 2025/2026 academic year, more than 17,000 students began their studies at the University of Rzeszów, including 6,689 first-year students.

Matriculation

During the ceremony, first-year students were formally matriculated, taking the academic oath and officially joining the University community.
Representatives of individual faculties received symbolic congratulatory letters confirming their admission.

New doctoral students commencing education at the Doctoral School also joined the University community. The matriculation ceremony for doctoral students was led by the Director of the Doctoral School.

Awards and Distinctions

An integral part of the ceremony was the presentation of state, ministerial and university awards honouring academic excellence, research achievements, and service to the community.

State and Ministerial Decorations

• 1 individual was honoured with the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta – Associate Professor Marek Cierpiał-Wolan
• 4 members of staff received the Medal of Merit for Polish Culture, awarded by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage.

University of Rzeszów Awards

• 1 Scientific Laurel of the University of Rzeszów (First Degree) was awarded.
• The Leader of the University of Rzeszów distinction was conferred on 4 laureates, representing the humanities, social sciences, medical sciences, and the arts.
• The Teaching Laurel of the University of Rzeszów was presented for the ninth time to a member of staff with outstanding didactic achievements.
• The Rector’s Laurel for the Best Graduate was awarded for the 22nd time, distinguishing the top graduate of 2024.

Ministerial Scholarships

Three young researchers from the University of Rzeszów received scholarships of the Minister of Science and Higher Education for outstanding young scientists.

Rector’s Awards

The Rector presented dozens of awards in various categories, including:

• 9 first-degree individual awards,
• 12 second-degree individual awards,
• 8 third-degree individual awards,
• 5 team awards for research and organisational achievements,
• 1 third-degree individual award for organisational and didactic excellence,
• 2 team awards for didactic achievements.

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the medical programmes, 10 honorary distinctions were also presented to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the development of medical sciences at the University of Rzeszów.

Student Research Societies Grants – “IMPULS UR”

During the ceremony, awards were also presented to the winners of the “IMPULS UR” programme, which supports research initiatives undertaken by Student Research Societies.

A total of:

• 1 Bronze Award,
• 1 Silver Award, and
• 2 Gold Awards (ex aequo)
  were presented.

The total funding granted exceeded PLN 50,000.

Associate Professor Marta Kopańska and Rector’s Proxy for Student Research Societies, emphasised the importance of the programme, stating:

“Your projects show that the University of Rzeszów is a place where youth meets ambition and science meets courage. Let every impulse become the beginning of new discoveries.”

Inaugural Lecture and Artistic Performance

The inaugural lecture, entitled “Expressing the Invisible through the Visible – on the Works of Artists of the University of Rzeszów”, was delivered by Professor Grażyna Stojak.
The ceremony was enriched by a performance of the Choir of the Faculty of Music under the direction of Professor Bożena Stasiowska-Chrobak.