Celebrating its 80th anniversary, Wrocław University of Science and Technology successfully concluded the past academic year and is entering the new one with ambitious plans. On Wednesday, more than 20,000 students began their studies at our university.

In his address, Professor Arkadiusz Wójs, Rector of Wrocław University of Science and Technology, emphasized that this year’s inauguration is special, as it marks the 80th anniversary of the university. He also reviewed the most important achievements of the past academic year.

Among them, he highlighted the election of Professor Marcin Drąg from the Faculty of Chemistry and Professor Michał Woźniak from the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology to the Polish Academy of Sciences, as well as the achievement of Dr. habil. Eng. Anna Siekierka, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Chemistry, who became the second researcher in the university’s history to win the prestigious ERC Starting Grant. The Rector also announced the introduction of a special award for ERC grant winners, giving them access to half of the university’s overhead funds related to their projects.

“As every September, a new edition of the prestigious ranking of the world’s most cited researchers, Top 2% Scientists – Leading Minds in Science, was published. Wrocław University of Science and Technology achieved its best result in history,” underlined Prof. Wójs. “In the Career ranking, which includes citations from all years, 61 of our researchers were listed – 10 more than last year. Even more important for assessing the current state of research is the Single Year list, which considers citations from only the past year. In this ranking, we have 51 researchers, and in this respect, we are second only to one institution in Poland – the country’s largest university,” he added.

The Rector also pointed out the university’s growing position in major international rankings, including the Shanghai Ranking, QS World University Rankings, and the Nature Index, as well as national rankings such as Rzeczpospolita’s “Leaders of Polish Higher Education 2025,” which compares universities based on graduates’ careers, where Wrocław Tech placed second.

“In next year’s rankings, our university should perform even better, as the current year promises to be a record-breaking one in terms of publications,” emphasized Prof. Wójs.

Development of medicine and new investments

Prof. Wójs added that he is also very pleased with the rapid integration of medical sciences at the university. Researchers in this discipline, employed at the Faculty of Medicine over the past two years, have already produced numerous publications, including an article by Prof. Jacek Szepietowski in the prestigious journal The Lancet.

Among other key events of the past year, the Rector mentioned the launch of Central and Eastern Europe’s first quantum computer, IQM Odra 5, at the university, as well as the conclusion of the design competition for the new Health Tech Synergy Hub (HTSH) building.

“The construction of HTSH on the site of the former canteen, along with a research complex on the opposite bank of the Oder, are the largest building investments planned by the university this decade. Their total budget exceeds half a billion PLN. Together, they will form the Wrocław Tech Innovation Park ‘LEM’ (Life, Energy & Materials). This will take our university to a new level in terms of infrastructure dedicated to interdisciplinary research defined in our strategy as priorities, namely artificial intelligence, medical technologies, microelectronics, photonics, quantum technologies, energy, and climate,” explained Prof. Wójs.

The LEM Innovation Park will also include the Academic Entrepreneurship Center on Gdańska Street and the adjacent Student Innovation Campus on Sopocka Street.

Strengthening the Doctoral School

Another key area of development at Wrocław University of Science and Technology is the further expansion of its Doctoral School. Plans include adding two new disciplines and steadily increasing the number of doctoral candidates.

In mid-2025, the university also introduced the Equality, Diversity and Well-being Policy of Wrocław Tech for the years 2025–2028. This new document addresses not only gender equality but also diversity, anti-discrimination measures, and work–life balance.

2026 – a year of major challenges

Among the greatest challenges awaiting Wrocław University of Science and Technology in the new academic year, Prof. Wójs pointed to the evaluation of research quality. This time, the university will undergo assessment in a record number of 16 disciplines – for the first time also in medical sciences as well as economics and finance.

In 2026, the university will also take part in the Excellence Initiative – Research University competition, where it will compete with several other Polish universities for two winning spots that grant entry into the elite group of research universities.

At the end of his speech, the Rector emphasized that the essence of a university is its academic community, bringing together people of different ages, personalities, knowledge, positions, and authority. Wrocław Tech strives to remain an open and inclusive institution, welcoming to individuals with special needs or unique backgrounds.

“Universities are also platforms for cooperation, serving as bridges connecting science with society and the economy, with local governments and business, schools, and cultural institutions. Finally, I would like to congratulate the oldest faculties of Wrocław University of Science and Technology, which, together with the entire university, celebrate their 80th anniversary this year. These are the Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, and Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. I wish all staff, doctoral students, and students of these five faculties the continuation of their proud traditions and further success,” said Prof. Wójs.

The Rector also extended congratulations to the community of the University of Wrocław, which was established 80 years ago at the same time as Wrocław Tech, and with which, in the first post-war years, we formed a joint institution under the name University and Polytechnic of Wrocław.

Welcome to students and doctoral candidates

Following the Rector’s address, a ceremonial matriculation of students and doctoral candidates took place. In the new academic year, nearly 6,300 people will begin their studies at Wrocław University of Science and Technology, including 390 international students.

On their behalf, representatives of each faculty and of the Doctoral School of Wrocław Tech took the oath. At present, the university has nearly 21,000 students.

The inaugural lecture, titled “Is a global university crisis coming?”, was delivered by Professor Marek Konarzewski, President of the Polish Academy of Sciences. The ceremony was accompanied by a performance of the Academic Choir of Wrocław University of Science and Technology, conducted by Małgorzata Sapiecha-Muzioł.

During the event, staff members of Wrocław Tech were awarded the Medals of the National Education Commission and the Docendo Discimus prizes.