“I am pleased to be able to celebrate with you this particularly solemn day in the life of the university in the company of excellent scholars,” said President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda at the inauguration ceremony of the 2024/2025 academic year at Nicolaus Copernicus Superior School. 

President Andrzej Duda offered thanks to the Rector of the Nicolaus Copernicus Superior School, Prof. Gertruda Uścińska: “I would like to pay special tribute to Rector Gertruda Uścińska, whose long experience in leading public institutions and academic activities has been invaluable in shaping the new university, which is the Nicolaus Copernicus Superior School.”  

“As in many academic institutions in Poland, here too the university community is returning to hard work, taking on new challenges and setting ambitious goals for the coming academic year. However, each new stage involves reflection on the educational path chosen and on how to effectively continue education and expand knowledge. I wish all of you – both lecturers and students – that you walk through the coming months along clearly defined paths. And that the next stage of the journey through the world of science will bear excellent fruit for all of you and the university,” added the President. 

He recalled that it was on his initiative that the Nicolaus Copernicus Superior School was founded. “When, in March 2022, I came up with the legislative initiative that launched this whole Copernican project, I had the conviction that this was a great opportunity for our science and education. And this conviction remains as strong in me today as it was then. The Nicolaus Copernicus Superior School is still at an early stage of development, yet already boasts achievements. I congratulate you on your successful cooperation with more than a hundred scientists, lecturers and specialists from all over the world.” 

SGMK Rector Prof. Gertruda Uścińska stressed the importance of the interdisciplinary and international character of the university, thanking everyone for co-creating a unique academic environment. She paid special tribute to the academic staff and students, wishing them courage in their research and tenacity in their pursuit of discovering the mysteries of the world. 

The SGMK doctoral candidates with the best entry results took their oath on behalf of all new doctoral students. 

The inaugural lecture entitled “Cancer prevention in the genomic era” was delivered by Prof. Dr. Krystian Jażdżewski, Professor of medicine, a prominent geneticist and endocrinologist, head of the Laboratory of Human Cancer Genetics at the University of Warsaw. He is a Founder of Warsaw Genomics, a diagnostic institution creating unique genomic tests that enable personalized anti-cancer prevention. He has received numerous awards for his activities and scientific discoveries.