The opening ceremony of a new academic year at the Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University in Ivano-Frankivsk on 1 September 2014 included the presenation of an honorary doctorate to the former Vice-Rector of the Jagiellonian University, Prof. Szczepan Biliński from the Institute of Zoology at the Jagiellonian University Faculty of Biology and Earth Sciences. The decision to confer the degree was made by the Senate of the Precarpathian National University on 28 January 2014.

The degree award ceremony was officially opened by the Vice-Rector of the Precarpathian National University, Prof. Ihor Cependa. As stressed in the laudatory address, Prof. Biliński has been one of the initiators of cooperation between the Vasyl Stefanyk University and the Jagiellonian University, as well as a long-time friend and collaborator of the Ukrainian higher education institution.

Expressing his gratitude, the JU Professor pointed to the symbolic importance of the award, as his parents had come from western Ukraine. He dedicated the award to all persons thanks to whom he had been able to conduct research and then work in the field of research management, including his parents, his academic mentors: Prof. Anna Krzysztofowicz and Prof. Czesław Jura, his collaborators, former students, and his wife, Prof. Barbara Bilińska.

The ceremony was also attended by the JU Vice-Rector for the Medical College, Prof. Piotr Laidler and the Dean of the JU Faculty of Biology and Earth Sciences, Dr hab. Małgorzata Kruczek.