Reports

On 12 May the Jagiellonian University celebrates its most important occasion – the anniversary of its foundation by King Casimir the Great in 1364. This years celebrations began in the Wawel Cathedral on 10 May. The University authorities – Prof. dr hab. med. Wojciech Nowak, JU Rector, Vice-Rectors, former Rectors (Prof. Karol Musioł and Prof. Franciszek Ziejka), Chancellor, Bursar and representatives of students and graduates placed flower bouquets in JU colours on the tombs of the University's Founders: King Casimir the Great, Queen Jadwiga and King Vladislaus Jagiełło.

At 9.00 a.m., to the sound of tolling of the Sigismund Bell and the voices of Wawel Cathedral Mixed Choir, a Holy Mass the Jagiellonian University academic community began. It was concelebrated by Kraków Metropolitan Archbishop, Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz. During the mass, the Rector donated to the Cathedral a replica of the University seal from 15th century.

After the mass, the JU authorities and rectors of Polish and international higher education institutions formed a procession, which set off from the Cathedral to the JU Auditorium Maximum through Kraków streets to attend the JU Senate Session.

In 1364, after many years of endeavour, King Casimir the Great received permission from the Pope to establish a university in Krakow, the capital of the Kingdom of Poland. It was the second university to be founded in Central Europe, after Prague in 1348. Soon afterwards other universities were established in the area: in Vienna (1365), Pécs (1367), Erfurt (1379) and Heidelberg (1386).

However, the Studium Generale in Krakow, as the school was then called, started functioning practically only in 1367. It consisted of three faculties only: liberal arts, medicine and law, as Pope Urban V did not grant permission to establish a faculty of theology, regarded as the highest ranking discipline. Similarly, he refused to grant such a permission to the Universities of Vienna, Pécs and Erfurt.

The University was most probably given accommodation at the Royal Castle on Wawel Hill. King Casimir's premature death in 1370 and the total lack of interest in the University demonstrated by his successor, King Louis of Anjou (King of Poland and Hungary), led to its gradual collapse.

The University (or the Academy, as it was called then) was restored owing to the endeavours of Queen Jadwiga, who pleaded its case with the Pope in Avignon and later bequeathed her personal effects to the University, which was re-established in 1400, after its benefactress's death. Henceforth it was a full medieval university, consisting of four faculties. As it followed the pattern of the University of Paris, its Rector was elected by the professors only. Colleges with accommodation for the professors and dormitories for students were founded.

W Katedrze na Wawelu Uniwersytet Jagielloński oddał hołd swoim Fundatorom

W Katedrze na Wawelu Uniwersytet Jagielloński oddał hołd swoim Fundatorom

W Katedrze na Wawelu Uniwersytet Jagielloński oddał hołd swoim Fundatorom

W Katedrze na Wawelu Uniwersytet Jagielloński oddał hołd swoim Fundatorom

W Katedrze na Wawelu Uniwersytet Jagielloński oddał hołd swoim Fundatorom

W Katedrze na Wawelu Uniwersytet Jagielloński oddał hołd swoim Fundatorom

fot. Anna Wojnar

On Friday, May 9 a Gala concert was held in Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Kraków, to mark the 650th Jubilee of the Jagiellonian University. The event was attended by the members of JU authorities: the Rector, Prof. Wojciech Nowak, Vice-Rectors: Prof. Maria-Jolanta Flis, Prof. Stanisław Kistryn, Prof. Piotr Laidler, and Prof. Andrzej Mania, as well as a number of distinguished guests, including the Governor of the Małopolskie Voivodeship, Jerzy Miller, the Marshall of the Małopolskie Voivodeship, Marek Sowa, and the President of Kraków, Prof. Jacek Majchrowski.

Jubileuszowa gala w Teatrze im. Juliusza Słowackiego

Jubileuszowa gala w Teatrze im. Juliusza Słowackiego

The performance featured the Beethoven Academy Orchestra conducted by Modestas Pitrenas, as well as soloists: Wioletta Chodowicz (soprano) and Krystian Adam Krzeszowiak (tenore). The programme consisted of pieces by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Don Giovanni: Overture, "Ma qual mai s'offre oh Dei… Fuggi, crudele, fuggi", "Don Ottavio, son morta!… Or sai chi l'onore", "Il mio tesoro"), Pietro Mascagni (Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo), Ruggero Leoncavallo (Pagliacci: "Qual Fiamma Avea Nel Guardo!... Stridono Lassù", "O Colombina, il tenero fido Arlecchin'"), Jonann Strauss II ("An der schönen blauen Donau", Die Fledermaus: "Klänge der Heimat", The Gypsy Baron: "Great fame is a joke", and "Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka"), and Andrew Lloyd Weber (Memory, All I ask from you). The event was led by the actress Beata Malczewska-Starowieyska.

The Beethoven Academy Orchestra is and one of the leading symphonic bands in Poland, and, at the same time, the youngest one. It is composed of people of passion: the best students and graduates of European academies of music, including Kraków Academy of Music, Staatliche Hochschule Für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Stuttgart, Hochschule für Musik in Karlsruhe, Royal Music Conservatoire in Brussels, Conservatoire International de Musique in Paris, and Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Graz. The ensemble began its operation in 2003, following the successes at the 53rd Jünger Künstler Festival in Bayreuth.

Jubileuszowa gala w Teatrze im. Juliusza Słowackiego

Jubileuszowa gala w Teatrze im. Juliusza Słowackiego

Jubileuszowa gala w Teatrze im. Juliusza Słowackiego

Jubileuszowa gala w Teatrze im. Juliusza Słowackiego

Jubileuszowa gala w Teatrze im. Juliusza Słowackiego

Jubileuszowa gala w Teatrze im. Juliusza Słowackiego

The oratorio concert on 9 May 2014 was the first musical-artistic events accompanying the 650th Jubilee of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków.

The University authorities and guests gathered at the Karol Szymanowski Philharmonic.

In his opening address, Prof. dr hab. med. Wojciech Nowak, JU Rector, expressed his joy, satisfaction and pride in celebrating the 650th anniversary of the University's foundation as the first higher education institution in Poland.

The musical ensembles that took part in the concert are as follows:

The soloists were:

Michał Dworzyński conducted for the performing choirsa, and the programme included Mazur from the opera The Haunted Manor by Stanisław Moniuszko and Carmina Burana by Carl Orff.

The Haunted Manor by Stanisław Moniuszko premiered in Warsaw on 28 September 1865. It is very patriotic in nature, but it also contains romance and comedy. The premiere in the Polish National Opera at the Teatr Wielki turned into a patriotic manifestation. It is one of the most frequently staged operas in Poland. It is characterised by an intuitive harmony, subtle yet rich instrumentalisation and innovative melodic quality.

The culmination of the concert was Carl Orff's Carmina Burana. It is a monumental vocal-instrumental masterpiece which premiered in the Oper Frankfurt on 8 June 1937. It was created on the basis of songs and poetry from the 13th century manuscript found by Johann Andreas Schmeller in a Benedictine monastery in Bavaria. Orff, fascinated by the rhythm and vividness of the poems as well as the melody of Latin, composed the music and chose texts. The grand finale of the piece is the breathtaking invocation to fortune and fate – "O Fortuna".

Koncert w Filharmonii Krakowskiej

Koncert w Filharmonii Krakowskiej

Koncert w Filharmonii Krakowskiej

Koncert w Filharmonii Krakowskiej

Koncert w Filharmonii Krakowskiej

Koncert w Filharmonii Krakowskiej

fot. Marek Welzel

On 9 May 2014 at 11:00 a.m., the Student Parliament of the Republic of Poland Council session began in Collegium Maius. The meeting was officially opened by Prof. dr hab. Stanisław Kistryn, JU Vice-Rector for Research and Structural Funds. He noted that students are the largest academic group and the driving force of the University, the sole reason why such an institution exists: to instill knowledge and moral values in students who are the future of our society. He also alluded to the Time Capsule, planted the day before, which he viewed as a symbol of this "knowledge transfer."

The participants discussed the Higher Education Act and its novelisation, concentrating mainly on the amendments proposed by students as well as the system of higher education funding.

The Student Parliament of the Republic of Poland Council is the most important Polish student body. The Parliament acts on behalf of the students, represents them in dealings with the Polish government and on the international stage. The body can influence the Polish state policy towards the young people by giving opinions on legal acts concerning students and presenting students' suggestions to the authorities. It also organises courses and workshops, provides assistance in student projects, and promotes cultural events.

Uroczyste posiedzenie Rady Studentów PSRP

Uroczyste posiedzenie Rady Studentów PSRP

Uroczyste posiedzenie Rady Studentów PSRP

The meeting of representatives of Coimbra Group, IRUN, Europaeum and Utrecht Network member institutions, held on May 9, 2014, was divided into two sessions. The participants tried to find answers to the questions: What is the strength of European higher education? What do we have in common? Are there any common European values belonging to our higher education that could be seen as constituting the foundations of European Academia?
They also wondered how to promote European higher education on a global scale, and compete with non-European universities: is it the right choice to offer European higher education as something unique and valuable (even at the expense of the position in rankings), rather than accept universal-global standards and values and try to compete globally without contributing anything "specifically" European?

Prof. dr hab. med Wojciech Nowak, JU Rector, opened the conference. In his welcoming address, he emphasised that Collegium Maius is the heart of the University, and that the walls inside which Nicolaus Copernicus studied over six hundred years ago are a perfect place to combine the past and the present and think about the role of the university in the rapidly changing modern contemporary reality, in which the greatest challenges that it may face are internationalisation and globalisation. After that, Prof. dr hab. Zdzisław Mach, Rector's Proxy for International Affairs, the debate's moderator, explained the genesis of the idea of the conference and the rules along which it will be conducted.

Founded in 1985, Coimbra Group is a network of 39 universities, including the oldest and the most prestigious universities in the world. The aim of the organisation is to make the bonds between the oldest universities in Europe stronger.

Inititiated in 2007 by Radbound University (Nijmegen), IRUN Network represents Westflälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen, Pázmány Peter Catholic University of Budapest, Universitá degli Studi di Siena, Universitat de Barcelona, Université de Poitiers, University of Glasgow, University of Ljubljana and the Jagiellonian University.

The aim of IRUN is to constantly improve the quality of research and teaching through the exchange of students and staff as well as joint curriculum development and joint degree programmes for Master's students and PhD candidates.

Europaeum is an association of 11 leading European Universities (Oxford University, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Universiteit Leiden, Università di Bologna, Universität Bonn, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies Geneva, Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Univerzita Karlova, Prague, Helsingin Yliopisto, and Jagiellonian University) and two associate members: Institute of Political Studies, Catholic University of Portugal and Fundación Ortega Marañón.

The network was created between 1990 and 1992, in order to support European history and culture studies, and to foster academic and student exchange between the partner institutions. Europaeum organizes workshops and summer schools (mainly for graduate and doctoral students) as well as academic conferences.

The Utrecht Network was created in 1987, whereas the Jagiellonian University became its member ten years later. The Network's essential targets and mission include increasing the role of student and staff mobility, development of teaching programmes, providing support to student summer schools and teacher courses, and promotion of European universities in the world.

Currently, there are 32 universities from 29 European countries collaborating within the framework of the consortium. During the last 25 years, about 20,000 students took part in its exchange schemes. Besides European partnership, the Utrecht Network actively cooperates with similar consortia in Australia and the United States.

Photo Marek Welzel

Konferencja Rektorów Uniwersytetów Zrzeszonych w Sieciach

Konferencja Rektorów Uniwersytetów Zrzeszonych w Sieciach

Konferencja Rektorów Uniwersytetów Zrzeszonych w Sieciach

Konferencja Rektorów Uniwersytetów Zrzeszonych w Sieciach

Konferencja Rektorów Uniwersytetów Zrzeszonych w Sieciach

Konferencja Rektorów Uniwersytetów Zrzeszonych w Sieciach

As part of the 650th Jubilee of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, the members of the JU Student Government along with Kraków artists and the city's urban designer created a mural – a monumental painting on the walls of the city's buildings. The work began on the night of 23–24 April.

On 8 May 2014, the official "unveiling" of the mural took place, attended by JU authorities and numerous spectators. Ms. Katarzyna Panas opened the ceremony, presenting the creators of the project and explaining its symbolism. After that Prof. dr hab. med. Wojciech Nowak, JU Rector, emphasised the unique quality of the mural. The last speaker, Mr. Dawid Kolenda, Head of the JU Student Government, thanked the artists for their work. The celebratory red ribbon was cut by the Rector, Mr. Kolenda and Ms. Paulina Lichwicka, coordinator of the project.

Large scale graphics made by the students are thematically related to the Jubilee, combining new trends with the University's history. So what does the mural on the side wall of the building of the JU Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science depict? To quote the organisers, "to the right we can see a sort of exploding barrel of knowledge, in which artefacts of knowledge are floating. It is connected by a tube to an airbrush which ‘sprays out' an academic cap. The lady on the left is modern Nawojka – the first female JU student – who is forming the cap."

Nawojka, whose name is borne by one of the Kraków streets as well as the first female dormitory of the JU, is a semi-legendary figure from the 15th century, purportedly the first Polish female student and teacher. Having been brought up in an educated family, she was able to read and write in English and Latin; however, further education was made impossible by the social customs of the day, which forbade women to study at a university. Nawojka was determined and therefore decided to deceive the university authorities by masquerading as a young man. she managed to study for a few years before she was discovered. She was tried at an ecclesiastical court, and avoided being burnt at the stake due to laudatory testimonies od professors. Later Nawojka became an abbess of a monastery.

The work on mural sometimes took more than a dozen hours daily. It is the most colourful and detailed work of art of this type in Kraków. Aside from the Jagiellonian University students, volunteers from the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków also helped to create the mural.

Jubileuszowy mural oficjalnie zaprezentowany krakowianom

Jubileuszowy mural oficjalnie zaprezentowany krakowianom

Jubileuszowy mural oficjalnie zaprezentowany krakowianom

Jubileuszowy mural oficjalnie zaprezentowany krakowianom

Jubileuszowy mural oficjalnie zaprezentowany krakowianom

Jubileuszowy mural oficjalnie zaprezentowany krakowianom

From 7 to 9 May 2014, the meeting of the Utrecht Network is held in the Jagiellonian University Auditorium Maximum. Every year such meeting takes place in a different university belonging to the network, which groups European institutions of higher education collaborating in the field of internationalisation. On Thursday, 8 May, the general session of the Network was officially opened by the JU Vice-Rector for Educational Affairs, Prof. Andrzej Mania, and the JU Vice-Rector for Research and Structural Funds, Prof. Stanisław Kistryn. The talks of several dozen prominent representatives of European academic institutions concentrated on such strategic issues as internationalisation, mobility of university staff and students, development of new curricula, and the promotion of European universities in the World.

The general session was preceded by a number of workshops devoted to the above mentioned issues, with special focus on new the programmes: Erasmus Plus and Horizon 2020, and on collaboration between higher education institutions and the private sector.

The Utrecht Network was created in 1987, whereas the Jagiellonian University became its member ten years later. Before 1997, the JU had already participated in the joint Tempus project.

Currently, there are 32 universities from 29 European countries collaborating within the framework of the consortium. During the last 25 years, about 20,000 students took part in its exchange schemes. Besides European partnership, the Utrecht Network actively cooperates with similar consortia in Australia and the United States.

Posiedzenie sieci uniwersyteckiej Utrecht Network

Posiedzenie sieci uniwersyteckiej Utrecht Network

Posiedzenie sieci uniwersyteckiej Utrecht Network

Zdjęcia: Jerzy Sawicz

7 May saw the grand opening of the exhibition A Gift of Beauty in the JU Collegium Maius. The exhibition displays selected items from the collection of the JU Museum and the JU Archive, which were donated to the Jagiellonian University by various patrons or are dedicated to the memory of its greatest donors. Besides, the exhibition commemorates the 50th anniversary of the grand opening of JU Museum in Collegium Maius in 1964, during the University's 600th Jubilee.

The grand opening of the exhibition was led by the Rector of the Jagiellonian University, Prof. Wojciech Nowak and the Director of the Jagiellonian University Museum, Prof. Krzysztof Stopka. The persons present at the ceremony also included: JU Vice-Rectors: Prof. Maria-Jolanta Flis, Prof. Stanisław Kistryn, and Prof. Jacek Popiel, JU Bursar, Teresa Kapcia, Chairman of Małopolska Regional Assembly, Kazimierz Barczyk, Vice-President of the City of Kraków, Tadeusz Matusz, and the Consul of Slovakia to Kraków, Ivan Skorupa.

In his address the Rector stressed the role of patronage in the University's foundation and growth and paid tribute to all benefactors whose generosity contributed to the development of science and education in Poland.

The exhibition illustrates that the University would never have been able to flourish if not for the continuous support of its patrons, from the founding monarchs, clergy, nobility, bourgeoisie and professors to the modern government representatives and generous countrymen. Many of these benefactors have been JU alumni. The exhibition is also a form of expressing gratitude to all these people and acknowledging their commitment.

It should be noted that Collegium Maius was the king's donation itself, which developed and prospered thanks to the generosity of various benefactors. A number of tokens, such as plaques or portals, from currently nonexistent buildings that were once donated to the university are also kept there.

The exhibition is to be accompanied by a publication containing the information about the University's history, a list of its benefactors, as well as some essays about its buildings, collections, and items presented at the exhibition.

The event is organised under the honorary auspices of the First lady of the Republic of Poland, Mrs. Anna Komorowska.

The exhibition will be open until August 6. The admission is free.

Opening hours:
Monday, Friday, Saturday 10.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday 10.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m.
Sunday 11.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.
Wednesday - closed

Wernisaż wystawy "Piękno darowane. Dzieła ofiarowane Uniwersytetowi Jagiellońskiemu w zbiorach Collegium Maius"

Wernisaż wystawy "Piękno darowane. Dzieła ofiarowane Uniwersytetowi Jagiellońskiemu w zbiorach Collegium Maius"

Wernisaż wystawy "Piękno darowane. Dzieła ofiarowane Uniwersytetowi Jagiellońskiemu w zbiorach Collegium Maius"

Pictures by Anna Wojnar

On 6 May at 3.00 p.m., Prof. dr hab. med. Wojciech Nowak, JU Rector, accompanied by Vice-Rectors and numerous guests, officially inaugurated the exhibition. In his speech, he emphasised that the Jubilee is also dedicated to students, who have contributed to the history of the University since its foundation. Next speaker, Dawid Kolenda, Head of the JU Student Government, acquainted the participants with general theme of the exhibition. After the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, the guests were able to admire the exhibited photographs. The exhibition will last until the end of May.

The aim of this photography exhibition is to present student culture in the context of the University's history to the citizens of Kraków and the City's academic community as well as show the most interesting and crucial in its long span of academic activity. The organisers wish to "present student culture from the earliest Medieval iconography to contemporary photographs. The exhibition boards are also devoted to subjects such as student artistic life, sport, festivals and examination sessions." The organisers tried to acquire photographs of students which would portray their activities – both academic and general – and compare them with modern times.

Pictures shown will mostly come from the University's own collection, including the JU Archive and the JU Museum. Large format photographs will be displayed in the Planty Park close to the most important buildings and the University Campus in the University Quarter of the Old Town.

Otwarcie wystawy "Studenci Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego na przestrzeni wieków"

Otwarcie wystawy "Studenci Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego na przestrzeni wieków"

Otwarcie wystawy "Studenci Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego na przestrzeni wieków"

Otwarcie wystawy "Studenci Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego na przestrzeni wieków"

Otwarcie wystawy "Studenci Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego na przestrzeni wieków"

Otwarcie wystawy "Studenci Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego na przestrzeni wieków"

Photographs: Anna Wojnar

On 6 May 2014, the members of JU authorities: Rector Prof. Wojciech Nowak, Vice-Rectors: Prof. Andrzej Mania, Prof. Piotr Laidler, Prof. Maria-Jolanta Flis and Prof. Jacek Popiel, Chancellor Ewa Pędracka-Kwaskowska, and Bursar Teresa Kapcia met with representatives of students and doctoral students to put the selected items to the Jubilee Time Capsule of the Jagiellonian University. The special container will be buried in the Jagiellonian University Professors' Garden, to be open no earlier than after 50 years, that is in 2064. The items include the Message from the Rector and Senate of the Jagiellonian University, the JU Statute, the Jubilee Gold Medal, materials prepared by JU students and doctoral students, visions of how the University will look like on the day of the opening of the capsule, song recordings by JU Choirs, materials from Wieliczka Salt Mine, copies of Alma Mater journal (in Polish and English), and a special postcard prepared by Polish Postal Service.

Kapsuła czasu

Kapsuła czasu

Kapsuła czasu