This coming together is a tremendous success for the academic community of our city, a fact acknowledged by the rector of Lodz, Prof. Krzysztof Jóźwik, who, during the press conference, said, 'We succeeded in having the Academic Łódź come together to celebrate at the same time and place.’ Referring to the special guest speaker for the celebration, the astronaut dr inż. Sławosz Uznański, TUL alumnus, who delivered the opening lecture, the rector underscored that universities, by educating students, unlock many an opportunity for them. ‘It is up to the student whether they seize them. Only those who dare to pursue what seems beyond possible pave the way for progress.’
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Sejm and the Senate of the Republic of Poland, the Ministry of Development and Technology, city and voivodeship officials. On behalf of the Speaker of the Senate, Senator Krzysztof Kwiatkowski presented a special distinction, Senacki Orzeł, to the Łódź Academic Partnership for their collaborative effort to build an academic community.
The rector of the University of Lodz, Professor Elżbieta Żądzińska, in her opening address said, 'We, the Łódź Academic Partnership, not only wish to stand as academic powerhouses, but also aspire to be an essential partner of Łódź and the region, business, and institutions of science and culture. We aim to conduct interdisciplinary research in collaboration with the best international research groups and networks so its results reverberate far beyond the Polish research area.
There is currently a dire need for the Academia to speak in a strong, concerted voice on many matters, not always directly related to research and education, but always relevant, both for university employees and students as well as the inhabitants of Łódź and the region. This is what cooperation between the public universities of Łódź within the Łódź Academic Partnership shall be. I believe that the ŁPA shall bring a new quality into the way Academic Łódź performs.’
In her speech, the UŁ rector spoke of the history of the academia, who have stood united at many turning points, which has been of paramount significance. 'The age of the lonely islands in science is a bygone one. Today, groundbreaking research is conducted by large research groups of outstanding researchers representing many different disciplines of science and the arts.’
The Łódź Academic Agreement bears the name of Jan Karski, and a considerable section of the speech paid tribute to this distinguished individual.
Today, the six universities that make up the ŁPA are home to 46,000 students and 1,500 doctoral candidates, as well as 3,500 international students. The universities' educational offerings stretch across 266 fields of study, whereas research is conducted across 42 disciplines of science. Łódź's public universities employ 10.5 thousand individuals.
The matriculation of new students and doctoral candidates was equally special. This part of the academic community was represented by two students and one doctoral candidate from each university. The audience witnessed six, and if doctoral candidates be included, a few more, different student pledges – all of them solemn, scholarly, moving, and inviting a moment of deeper reflection.
The event was graced with performances by the Choir of the Grażyna and Kiejstut Bacewicz University of Music and students of the Film School.
Partner in the organization of the opening ceremony was the Arthur Rubinstein Philharmonic.