What challenges await Lodz universities in the newly commenced 2026/2027 academic year? According to the rectors, as is the case for many higher education institutions across Poland, the most pressing issues include funding, particularly insufficient state subsidies that allow universities little more than basic survival, ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff in uncertain times, and preparing for the inevitable impact of demographic decline. Despite these challenges, university authorities continue to implement ambitious research and educational projects, successfully secure European funding for research and infrastructure investments, fulfil the key missions of academia, and take on new challenges.
One of the principal tasks of contemporary science and a core mission of universities is undoubtedly to provide reliable knowledge, verify information and bring order to the information chaos that surrounds us. This is why the University of Lodz has joined the Polish Press Agency think tank, under the auspices of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, as one of the top three Polish universities most frequently featured in the media as a source of scientific expertise. Consequently, we will continue investing in our network of academic experts. We currently have around two hundred researchers who not only possess expertise but are also able to communicate it effectively
– said Prof. dr hab. Rafał Matera, Rector of the University of Lodz, during a briefing held prior to the inauguration. The briefing was also attended by the rectors of Lodz University of Technology, the Medical University of Lodz, the Strzemiński Academy of Fine Arts Łódź, the Grazyna and Kiejstut Bacewicz University of Music in Lodz, as well as the Leon Schiller National Film School in Lodz.
The Rector of the University of Lodz has emphasised that students remain the university's highest priority. To enhance their well-being, the university has secured funding from the Marshal’s Office of the Lodz Region. Student-oriented initiatives are intended to ensure that future generations from across the Lodz region and beyond continue to choose the University as an attractive place to study.
The key investment for the coming years is, of course, the modernisation of the University of Lodz Library. It is a long-term process, but we have already begun work on the architectural design. Looking ahead to upcoming events, I would particularly like to highlight the visit of Andrzej Poczobut to our university on 13 October. He is a person whose actions embody the motto of the Humane University, Veritas et Libertas, transforming the pursuit of truth and freedom into concrete action. We should also mention the strong representation of the university experts at the upcoming Freedom Games, as well as the university’s involvement in the Camera Action Festival and Man in Danger Media Festival. We are also focused on improving the quality of research and education. More than 20 UniLodz research projects funded under the Horizon Europe programme and two prestigious ERC grants speak for themselves. We are proud of these achievements
– said the UniLodz Rector.
One of the guests invited to the Lodz Academic Partnership inauguration was Dr Łukasz Gołota, Deputy Director of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA).
I would like to congratulate you on the idea of a joint academic year inauguration. This is exactly the direction Polish universities should be heading: not fragmenting their potential but bringing it together. In this way, you are demonstrating the strength of all public universities in Lodz. As the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange, we are pleased that Lodz universities are actively and successfully engaged in internationalisation processes. I hope that this will be another academic year in which Polish universities focus not primarily on quantitative measures, such as attracting thousands of international students, but rather on quality. That is what I sincerely wish for you
– said the NAWA Deputy Director.
The inauguration ceremony traditionally began with the entrance of the rectoral procession in ceremonial academic robes and the presentation of the banners of Lodz public universities. This was followed by the performance of the Polish national anthem by the Choir of Lodz University of Technology.
In her opening address, Prof. Milenia Fiedler, Rector of the Lodz Film School, reflected on the importance of the Lodz Academic Partnership.
What meaningful outcomes can emerge from cooperation between six universities that differ so greatly from one another? The simplest answer points to joint projects, the exchange of experience and more effective use of educational and organisational resources. All of this matters. However, I believe the significance of such a community goes much deeper (...). Science and art arise from the same human need to understand reality.
Science seeks knowledge that can be tested, justified and critically examined. Art neither proves nor explains in the same sense. Instead, it reaches layers of human experience that do not always lend themselves to conceptualisation. It gives form to our experience of time, memory, compassion and solitude. It creates sensory, emotional and embodied knowledge.
Both forms of understanding are essential. The purpose of an academic community is not to erase differences between science, the humanities and the arts. On the contrary, we need those differences precisely because we ask questions about the world in different ways. Our methods may differ but we are united by our ability to ask questions
– argued the Rector of the Lodz Film School.
The formal oath-taking and matriculation of students and doctoral students from all universities belonging to the Lodz Academic Partnership was a particularly important and moving moment of the ceremony. The Łódzkie Eureka awards, granted by the Council for Higher Education and Science to the Mayor of the City of Lodz for outstanding scientific, technological and artistic achievements recognised at national and international level, were also presented.
The inaugural lecture for the 2026/2027 academic year, entitled “Możliwe – niemożliwe. Droga artysty” [Possible – Impossible. The Artist’s Journey], was delivered by Prof. Zygmunt Krauze, an acclaimed composer and pianist, honorary doctor of the National University of Music Bucharest and the Academy of Music in Lodz. During his lecture, he presented his concept of unistic music inspired by the artistic work of Władysław Strzemiński.
The official opening of the academic year was preceded by a performance of Gaudeamus Igitur by the Choir of Lodz University of Technology.
As part of the artistic programme, participants watched the short film „Tytuł się jeszcze przyśni” [The Title Will Return in a Dream], directed by Klaudia Fortuniak, a student of the Directing Department of the Lodz Film School. The film was completed in 2025 and has since been successfully presented at film festivals in Poland and abroad. It has received recognition from both juries and audiences, earning numerous awards and distinctions, including at the Paradiso Film Fest in Italy, the Este Film Festival in Romania, and the Yerevan International Short Film Festival in Armenia.
Source and edit: Press Office, University of Lodz
Photographs: Kacper Szczepaniak and Maciej Andrzejewski (Centre for Brand Communications, University of Lodz)
