25th Inauguration at WSEI University Combined with the Conferral of an Honorary Doctorate upon Teresa Bogacka

25th Inauguration at WSEI University Combined with the Conferral of an Honorary Doctorate upon Teresa Bogacka

It was a historic ceremony at our University. On 16 October, the 25th Inauguration of the academic year took place, combined with the conferral of an honorary doctorate upon the Founder and President of the University – Teresa Bogacka.

- The year 2025 is of exceptional importance for the entire community of WSEI University, as it marks our Jubilee Year - the 25th anniversary of our University, founded on the initiative of Teresa Bogacka, long-standing Chancellor and now President of WSEI University. Her vision, dedication, and consistency have made the University a recognised and respected institution on the educational map not only of Poland but also of the world - began Professor Marek Opielak, PhD Eng, Dr h.c., Rector of WSEI University.

He also emphasised that WSEI University is close to his heart not only because of his position as Rector:

-  Over the years, I have watched how a small vocational school transformed into a University. I have met many wonderful people - employees, students, and my predecessors, the former Rectors. I remember them all with great fondness and appreciation - added Rector Opielak.

During the inauguration, the best students and graduates of the University were honoured, and the Rector conducted the matriculation ceremony for first-year students, who took the oath and received their student indexes.

- Twenty-five years in the history of the world is nothing. But twenty-five years of building the level of science, knowledge, education - of passing it on to young generations - that is an enormous amount of work, a vast number of minds and people who have passed through these walls - said Wojciech Wołoch, Deputy Governor of Lublin Province - That’s around 60,000 graduates who today shape reality, industry, the economy, and fill institutions. That deserves gratitude.

On behalf of the Governor of Lublin, Diplomas of Recognition were presented to the Rector and the President of WSEI University on the occasion of the University’s 25th anniversary.

Mariusz Banach, Deputy President of Lublin, also addressed those gathered:-Today’s celebration gives us the opportunity to extend our congratulations and thanks on behalf of all the residents of Lublin.

Together with Deputy Mayor Tomasz Fulara and Chairman of the City Council Jarosław Pakuła, he presented Medals of the Mayor of the City of Lublin.

- We are proud that you have your seat here in our city - emphasised Mayor Tomasz Fulara.

On behalf of Minister of Science and Higher Education, PhD Marcin Kulasek, Mirosław Kasprzak, Minister's representative for cooperation between science and business, read a letter from the Minister addressed to the University community:

- I would like to express my appreciation and warm greetings to all members of the university community on the occasion of the inauguration of the academic year. The events of recent months have proven that Poland has enormous research potential and is able to use it thanks to its courage, flexibility and innovation, emphasised Mirosław Kasprzak, referring to the success of Polish astronaut PhD Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski. -  His mission is not only a personal achievement, but also a symbol of the strength of Polish science. It is also proof that dreams born in lecture halls and laboratories can lead to the stars. I hope that the achievements of the Polish astronaut will inspire young people who are starting their studies today. I would like his story to remind us that every moment spent at university can be the first step towards great projects that change reality. knows how to use it - through courage, flexibility, and innovation - underlined Kasprzak.

He wished the entire academic community courage in facing new challenges, perseverance in achieving their goals, and satisfaction with their accomplishments.

During the ceremony, Ambassador of WSEI University statuette was awarded to Archbishop Stanisław Budzik, Metropolitan of Lublin, who has long supported the development and mission of the University.

WSEI University also received medals and distinctions, including from the Governor of Lublin Province and the Mayor of Lublin, while President Teresa Bogacka was awarded the Gold Badge of the Volyn National University named after Lesya Ukrainka.

 

Honorary Doctorate for Teresa Bogacka

The Jubilee Inauguration Ceremony was also significant for another reason. The title of Doctor Honoris Causa of WSEI University was awarded to Ms Teresa Bogacka - originator and founder of our University, its long-time Chancellor, and now President.

The Senate of WSEI University made this decision at its meeting on 30 September 2025, in recognition of Teresa Bogacka’s unique contribution to the establishment and development of the University and for her consistent - already 25-year-long - promotion of quality, professionalism, and innovation in the academic environment.

The promoter of the honorary doctorate, Dr hab. Zbigniew Gaś, Professor at WSEI University, stated:

- As a psychologist engaged in the analysis of human behaviour and activities supporting personal development, I can clearly see the logic of her actions, based on several strategic principles. Among them, I consider the following five to be the most important – each of which is vividly reflected in the daily work of our President:

Principle 1: Be aware of where you are.
Principle 2: Start with yourself, because what you have today is enough for today, but not for tomorrow.
Principle 3: Do not act alone - invite and involve others.
Principle 4: Reach for the peaks, knowing it is an uphill path.
Principle 5: Those who climb to the top are always visible – and are judged accordingly.

- I have had the pleasure of working with the President for many years, and thus I have had many opportunities to see these principles reflected in our daily cooperation - added Professor Gaś. He also listed her achievements and numerous distinctions: - Of course, one could enumerate many examples of success, but the most important thing is not how much can be said about Ms Teresa Bogacka’s achievements, but that each of us encounters the tangible results of her work every day - which often serve as an inspiration for further initiatives.

President Teresa Bogacka was visibly moved:

- I feel deeply touched and greatly honoured by this distinction. The honorary doctorate is something I never dared to dream of - it is, in a sense, the crowning achievement of the greatest adventure of my life. Thank you all - she said.

In her lecture, she focused on the future:

- Our quarter-century jubilee and this unique moment in my life naturally lead to the question: what next? Where should WSEI University go from here?

She emphasised that the education of the future must rest on four pillars:

  1. Timeless competences.
  2. Learning how to learn.
  3. Combining technology with humanism.
  4. Shaping civic and ethical attitudes.

- In the age of algorithms, it might seem that the teacher’s role is diminishing. In fact, the opposite is true. A professor, educator, mentor - is no longer the only source of knowledge, but a witness to values. It is the mentor who, by example, shows that knowledge is not merely information but wisdom; that development is not only an individual success but also cooperation and shared achievement. Saint John Paul II once said to young people at Westerplatte: You must demand of yourselves, even when others do not demand it of you.’ The art lies in teaching that education and development do not end with the diploma, but -especially in today’s world - are a continuous need - noted President Bogacka.

She concluded her speech with the words:

- The education of the future will not happen on its own. We are creating it today – through our decisions, our values, our example. If we follow this path - outlined in this necessarily brief address - I am certain that we shall become a true University of Innovation. That is what I wish for all of you, and for myself.

Let us recall that WSEI University confers the title of Doctor Honoris Causa for only the second time. The first was awarded in June this year to Professor Leszek Balcerowicz.

 

 

 

 

 

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