Reports

Prof. Piotr Laidler, JU Vice-Rector for Medical College, and Dr hab. Krzysztof Stopka, prof. UJ, director of the JU Collegium Maius Museum, have officially opened the exhibition entitled The Development of Geographical Ideas in Poland. The preview took place on 18 August in the Collegium Maius courtyard.

The exhibition is aimed at illustrating how the perception of the world changed over the centuries, and how the environment we live in used to be studied and described. The exhibition is divided into several sections devoted to different phases of the history of Polish geography: initial phase (until the late 15th century), golden age (late 15th – early 17th century), decline and rebirth (early 17th – middle 19th century), beginnings of modern Polish geography (middle 19th century – early 20th century), development of schools of geographical thought (1919-1939).

Besides the works which were key for the development of the Polish geography, the exhibition will also contain instruments used to gather data in both theoretical and field research. The exhibition will be accompanied by a poster board display in the Professors' Garden and on the Huta Courtyard, devoted to the losses and changes caused by the Second World War as well as the contemporary Polish geography: academic centres, field research units, and student life.

The exhibition will be open for visitors until 7 December 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m, Monday to Friday. Admission free.

"Rozwój myśli geograficznej w Polsce"

"Rozwój myśli geograficznej w Polsce"

"Rozwój myśli geograficznej w Polsce"

"Rozwój myśli geograficznej w Polsce"

"Rozwój myśli geograficznej w Polsce"

"Rozwój myśli geograficznej w Polsce"

The grand opening of the Interenational Geographical Union Regional Conference, entitled "Changes, Challenges, Responsibility" was held on 18 August 2014 in JU Auditorium Maximum. The participants were welcomed by the Mayor of Kraków, Prof. Jacek Majchrowski and the JU Vice-Rector for the Medical College, Prof. Piotr Laidler. Then the presidential advisor, Prof. Paweł Swianiewicz read the message from the President of the Republic of Poland, Bronisław Komorowski. The attendees were also addressed by the President of the International Geographical Union, Prof. Vladimir Kolosov and the Vice-President of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Prof. Marek Chmielewski. The conference opening session included an award ceremony, during which 12 gold medals, as well as other prizes, were presented to the winners of the International Geography Olympiad, in which 144 school students from 36 countries had taken part. The winner was James Mullen from the United States.

Besides several dozen thematic sessions, the conference included three plenary sessions featuring all participants. The discussed topics ranged from climate changes and environmental protection to demography, spatial management and global nutrition challenges.

The annual conferences of the International Geographical Union provide a forum for discussion between specialists of different sub-disciplines of geography and other related academic fields. This year's IGU conference has been the second one held in Poland. The previous such meeting took place in 1934.

The conference was organised under the honorary auspices of the President of the Republic of Poland, Bronisław Komorowski. The Rector of the Jagiellonian University, Prof. Wojciech Nowak was a member of the Honorary Committee of the conference, which also consisted of: the President of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Prof. Michał Kleiber. the President of the International Geographical Union, Prof. Vladimir Kolosov, and the Mayor of the City of Krakow, Prof. Jacek Majchrowski.

Konferencja Międzynarodowej Unii Geograficznej

Konferencja Międzynarodowej Unii Geograficznej

Konferencja Międzynarodowej Unii Geograficznej

Konferencja Międzynarodowej Unii Geograficznej

Konferencja Międzynarodowej Unii Geograficznej

On 4 July 2013, the Inauguration of the 45th Summer School of Polish Language and Culture took place in Collegium Novum. This year, several hundred students from over 40 countries of the world are participating in this programme. Prof. Andrzej Mania, JU Vice-Rector for Educational Affairs, and Prof. Anna Łebkowska, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Polish Studies, greeted the visitors on behalf of the University authorities. Many distinguished guests participated in the opening ceremony, including Roel Respecia, Regional Security Officer of the US Consulate-General in Kraków, Andrzej Tombiński, Honorary Consul of Austria in Poland, John Micgiel, President of the Kosciusko Foundation, Prof. Choi Sung-Eun, Head of the Faculty of Polish Studies of the Hankuk University in Seoul, and Prof. Kim Yong Deog, a historian at the same university who specialises in the history of Poland. Prof. Choi Sung-Eun delivered the opening lecture, entitled A journey through the world of translators – with the future Polish literature translators in mind.

Before the inauguration, Prof. Andrzej Mania presented Anastasia Streltsova with a diploma for winning the Cultural, intellectual and economic ties between Odessa and Poland in 19th and 20th century contest. The main prize in the contest was an invitation to a 4-week course at the Summer School, with all expenses paid by the University and the Consulate-General of the Republic of Poland in Odessa.

The School of Polish Language and Culture is the oldest and largest institution of this kind in Poland. It was created in 1969, but its beginnings go back as far as 1930s. So far, thousands of students and professors from all over the world have participated in its courses. Opening lectures feature distinguished scholars, cultural activists and politicians, such as Czesław Miłosz, Norman Davies, Andrzej Olechowski, Leszek Balcerowicz, Krzysztof Zanussi, Andrzej Wajda, Adam Zagajewski, Ryszard Kapuściński, and Anders Bodegård.

The programme of the School concentrates on Polish language courses, lectures on Polish history, culture and social issues as well as extra-academic activities, such as dance lessons, culinary courses, and getting to know Polish customs and traditions. The students also have the opportunity to increase their knowledge of Kraków and its surroundings through trips to Zakopane and Wieliczka Salt Mine, rafting on Dunajec River, and visits in the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum.

In 2000, the Polish minister of foreign affairs has awarded the School for its merits in promoting Poland abroad. The School was also presented with the prestigious European Label diploma in the years 2002, 2005 and 2008.

45. Szkoła Letnia Języka i Kultury Polskiej UJ

45. Szkoła Letnia Języka i Kultury Polskiej UJ

45. Szkoła Letnia Języka i Kultury Polskiej UJ

45. Szkoła Letnia Języka i Kultury Polskiej UJ

45. Szkoła Letnia Języka i Kultury Polskiej UJ

45. Szkoła Letnia Języka i Kultury Polskiej UJ

On 23–25 June 2014, the JU Faculty of Chemistry hosted the 3rd Polish EMR (Electron Magnetic Resonance) Group Forum of the Polish Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Society. The Group is an informal organisation which unites national research centres employing broadly understood electron magnetic resonance technology, particularly electron paramagnetic resonance. The Group's activities include organising biannual conferences. Two previous meeting were organised in Rzeszów (2010) and Częstochowa-Hucisko (2012).

The participants presented the results of latest research conducted through the use of state-of-the-art EMR/EPR technology in chemistry, physics, materials science, biology and medicine as well as newest equipment and measurement techniques, such as EPR imaging. Special attention was paid to EMR spectroscopy.

70 guests from several research centres participated in the conference, including representatives of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Tallahassee, Florida. During the poster session, the participants voted for the best conference posters.

U Auditorium Maximum hosted the Graduation Day of 73 new alumni of the School of Medicine in English. The new graduates, who took their Hippocratic Oath on 25 June, come from Norway, Malaysia, Canada, the USA, Sweden, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine. Prof. Piotr Laidler, JU Vice-Rector for Medical College, Prof. Tomasz Brzozowski, Vice-Dean for Scientific Researches and International Cooperation, and Prof. Jerzy Walocha, Head of the School Council, took part in the ceremony. The graduates have awarded diplomas to lecturers they voted the best – Prof. Jan Litwin (histology), Dr Monika Bociąga-Jasik (infectious diseases) and Dr Marcin Sobociński (internal diseases).

Nowi absolwenci Szkoły Medycznej dla Obcokrajowców

Nowi absolwenci Szkoły Medycznej dla Obcokrajowców

Nowi absolwenci Szkoły Medycznej dla Obcokrajowców

Nowi absolwenci Szkoły Medycznej dla Obcokrajowców

Nowi absolwenci Szkoły Medycznej dla Obcokrajowców

Nowi absolwenci Szkoły Medycznej dla Obcokrajowców

On 10 June 2014 at 7.30 p.m., a concert entitled In tribute to centuries – on 650th anniversary of the University's foundation took place in the courtyard of Collegium Maius. The artists performing the concert were graduates of the Jagiellonian University – Anna Szałapek, Leszek Długosz, Janusz Radek, Andrzej Sikorowski, Leszek Wójtowicz, Grzegorz Turnau, Teresa Lipinski, Desislava Hristozova and Ewa Landowska.

The concert was preceded by an address by Prof. Wojciech Nowak, JU Rector, who greeted the guests and inaugurated the event. The artists performed many classic and beautiful pieces authored by distinguished musicians and lyricists. After the concert, the artists received flower bouquets and were awarded with honorary MA degrees.

Koncert "W hołdzie wiekom – w 650. rocznicę założenia Uniwersytetu"

Koncert "W hołdzie wiekom – w 650. rocznicę założenia Uniwersytetu"

Koncert "W hołdzie wiekom – w 650. rocznicę założenia Uniwersytetu"

Koncert "W hołdzie wiekom – w 650. rocznicę założenia Uniwersytetu"

Koncert "W hołdzie wiekom – w 650. rocznicę założenia Uniwersytetu"

Koncert "W hołdzie wiekom – w 650. rocznicę założenia Uniwersytetu"

The championship, organised by the JU Sports Centre and the Polish Karate Federation, took place on 1 June 2014 as part of the 650th Jubilee of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków. 100 participants from 28 Polish higher education institutions participated in the event. The championship involved presenting kata forms and duelling in the most difficult melee combat style, kumite, in three male and four female weight classes.

Prof. Maria-Jolanta Flis, JU Vice-Rector for University Development, inaugurated the championship, which was supervised by Andrzej Drewniak, secretary of the Kyokushin World Federation, coach of the Polish national kyokushin team, 8 dan in karate and 1 dan in judo.

The Jagiellonian University students won 3 medals individually and 1 in team competition. Anna Lisowska was awarded gold medal in kata, while bronze medals in kumite were presented to Natalia Kurowska and Edyta Goncerz. Our University was also represented by Alicja Szajta, Kamil Boratyński, Bartosz Jędrzejczak and Dariusz Zdybski.

The year 2014 marks the second edition of the Student Commendations, organised by the Jagiellonian University Student Government. The award ceremony took place in the Manggha Centre of Japanese Art and Technology on 19 May 2014 at 7.00 p.m.

The Student Commendations Gala began with a performance by Mateusz Ziółko, winner of the third edition of the Voice of Poland talent show. Next, the representatives of JU Student Government, Justyna Ciszek and Piotr Szefer, greeted the numerous guests. After that, Prof. dr hab. med. Wojciech Nowak, JU Rector, made a short speech, in which he stressed the fact that the Commendations Gala is a remarkable success for the students, since it has already proven the vital role of students in the life of the University.

The award was presented in six categories:

• Friend of Students Award – Dr Paweł Czarnecki from the Chair of Criminal Procedure of the JU Faculty of Law and Administration,
• Best Academic Teacher Award – Dr Urszula Hubicka from the Chair in Inorganic Chemistry of the JU MC Faculty of Pharmacy,
• Honorary Award – Prof. dr hab. Andrzej Chwalba from the Chair in Historical Anthropology of the JU Faculty of History,
• Concern for Quality of Education Award – JU Section for Education Quality Analyses,
• Student Friendly Institution Award – PZU SA,
• Helping Hand Award – Ms. Anna Strzelec from the Institute of Geography and Spatial Management of the JU Faculty of Biology and Earth Sciences.

The award is a means of expressing gratitude of the student community for support in its endeavours as well as praising pro-student attitude of the University's employees and other institutions and activists. The first edition was very well received by students, employees and sympathisers of the University alike. This year, the Student Commendations Gala was part of the official celebrations of the 650th Jubilee of the Jagiellonian University, which made it an even more unique event. This initiative is a perfect illustration of the centuries-long university tradition of the Master-Apprentice relations.