The formal sitting of the Senate of the University of Lodz began with the performance of the national anthem by the University of Lodz Choir. Next, the Rector of the University of Lodz, Professor Elżbieta Żądzińska, welcomed the attendees. She talked about the tradition of the National Education Day and the essence of it. She told the attendees about the mission of education and the inspiration behind the teaching and research staff at the University of Lodz, who are passionate about education.
The National Education Day is an opportunity to thank ourselves for the effort we put into education and development, both of our students, doctoral students and young researchers, as well as ourselves. Educating wise and responsible citizens is a mission that involves hardship and effort. It requires constant striving for excellence, substantive and personal development and unrelenting passion. At the same time, the path we have chosen as teachers is full of beautiful emotions and gives us many reasons to be proud. Our work enriches the lives of our students. It also translates into society and can change the world. As we observe the development and achievements of our students, we see our own contribution to creating a world that is more ready for the challenges of today and the future. We have the opportunity to be on the frontline of these changes and to have an influence on them. It is a great opportunity, a great gift and a great responsibility
– said the University of Lodz Rector.
Prof. Elżbieta Żądzińska emphasised that the University of Lodz had been established to always seek the truth about people and the world in the name of the motto Truth and Freedom, and by educating, to release the potential of future generations. In its 2021-2030 strategy, the university has set itself ambitious goals that commit its staff to research excellence and smart education.
In her speech, the Rector of the University of Lodz encouraged people to be always guided by research excellence when thinking about their own scientific development and to focus on the quality of their work. Doing so will allow you to take up the topics that are meaningful to your discipline and, as a result, both obtaining funding and publishing in recognised journals indexed in major scientific databases will become easier.
According to Prof. Żądzińska, putting research excellence first is the key not only to conducting research that is relevant to the discipline. It is also of considerable importance for the satisfaction of the researcher and the harmonious development of their scientific career, as only a fulfilled scientist who values their work can be an inspiration and authority for future generations.
Dear Employees of the University of Lodz, thank you for your daily effort made to educate curious, responsible citizens. I’d like to offer my sincere congratulations to all the employees of our university who will receive awards for their attitude, commitment and professional achievements. You are pillars of our university. May courage, curiosity, commitment, cooperation and respect for others never abandon you on your journey to Truth and Freedom
– concluded the University of Lodz Rector.
Doctor Honoris Causa title from the University of Lodz to Prof. Maciej Henneberg
The profile of the laureate as a researcher was presented by the Rector of the University of Lodz, and a laudation in his honour was given by Professor Wiesław Lorkiewicz, the honorary doctoral thesis supervisor. He recalled, among other things, the patriotic traditions of Prof. Maciej Hennenberg’s family, the opposition card he wrote during the "Solidarity" era and the necessity of his emigration from Poland in 1984. He highlighted the laureate's tremendous research output, including hundreds of publications in the world's most prestigious scientific journals as a result of his scientific activity at universities in the United States, South Africa and Australia.
Prof. Lorkiewicz then read out the contents of the doctoral diploma, and the document itself was presented to Prof. Henneberg by the Rector of the University of Lodz, accompanied by the honorary supervisor as well as the Dean of the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection at the University of Lodz, Prof. Andrzej Kruk.
On behalf of the Senate and myself, I congratulate you and extend my warmest wishes for your continued achievements, good health and all the best in your personal life
– said the University of Lodz Rector to the laureate.
Professor Maciej Henneberg, who was invited to speak, gave a lecture illustrated with a presentation entitled: "Ongoing biological evolution of humans in a dynamic system".
Prof. Maciej Henneberg's scientific interests include topics on: human evolution and microevolution, human brain evolution, biocultural evolution, human ecology, population genetics, palaeodemography, historical demography, palaeopathology, auxology, anatomy, comparative anatomy, ergonomics, archaeology and medical-forensic issues.
Prof. Henneberg has contributed to the development of a new discipline, i.e. evolutionary medicine, by initiating and supporting the organisation of Europe's only Institute of Evolutionary Medicine in Zurich. For many years, he has provided his expertise in forensic anthropology by giving opinions in criminal and civil proceedings conducted by courts in Poland, the USA, South Africa and Australia.
For many years, Prof Henneberg has been developing extensive cooperation with the scientific team of the Department of Anthropology at the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection of the University of Lodz. This cooperation includes placements for the University f Lodz researchers at the University of Adelaide and placements for doctoral students from the University of Adelaide at the University of Lodz. Academic exchanges result in joint research and publications in prestigious scientific journals in biology and medicine.
Decorations for the University of Lodz employees
In the next part of the meeting, the Rector of the University of Lodz Elżbieta Żądzińska, accompanied by the Governor of the Lodz Voivodeship Karol Młynarczyk, presented the employees of the University of Lodz with state decorations – gold, silver and bronze Medals for Long Service, which are awarded by the decision of the President of the Republic of Poland for exemplary, exceptionally conscientious performance of duties resulting from professional work.
This was followed by the presentation of the National Education Medals, the "University of Lodz in Service for the Society and Science" Medals and the University of Lodz golden badges.
Lists of people honoured with individual decorations:
- Medals for Long Service
- Medals of the Commission of National Education
- "University of Lodz in Service for the Society and Science" Medals
- University of Lodz Golden Badges
After the decoration ceremony, the University of Lodz Choir performed Gaude Mater Polonia and the ceremony ended with the flag-waist and members of the University of Lodz Senate leaving the Assembly Hall.
Edit: Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz
Photos: Maciej Andrzejewski (Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz)