Vivat Academia, Vivant Professores! 81st Anniversary of UniLodz, Distinctions for Staff Members and an Honorary Doctorate for Prof. Jerzy Hausner

The University of Lodz is a diverse community. It is a community built on respect, curiosity and the courage to seek the truth. This year, we are celebrating the 81st anniversary of the establishment of our university. Although the official anniversary falls on 24 May, it was today that we met for a formal meeting of the Senate of #UniLodz, together with invited guests: academics and authorities of other higher education institutions in Lodz, representatives of local government, politicians and representatives of social organisations.

Opublikowano: 25 May 2026

The University of Lodz has entered its ninth decade. If it were an eighty-one-year-old man or woman, I believe it would be quite satisfied with such a birthday. These are celebrations with kind people around and celebrations of someone who also gives a great deal of themselves. Our university celebrates together with its family, with our outstanding partners from the broadly understood external environment. It also honours and recognises others – today, among others, Prof. Katharina Lorenz from the University of Giessen (our long-standing, loyal and supportive partner) as well as Prof. Jerzy Hausner, who today joins the group of honorary doctors of the University of Lodz – said the Rector of the University of Lodz, Prof. dr hab. Rafał Matera, in his opening address to the formal meeting of the Senate. The Rector emphasised that the community of the University of Lodz – the Humane University, which he has been striving to build over the past two years – is inclusive, diverse and boldly moving forward, facing the ever‑new challenges of our times.

I fully support the initiative of allocating 3% of GDP to science – the current level of public expenditure on the higher education system, oscillating around one per cent of GDP, keeps universities in a state of lethargy and an illusion of stability and progress. If we want research to reach increasingly higher levels, if we want to set new directions in science, if we want to become increasingly international institutions, an increase in funding  – a strategic increase – is essential. Regardless of who is in power, they must realise that science is not an exotic item in the state budget, but one of the pillars of the economy, culture and civic society. It is the foundation of a strong state – added the Rector, referring to the economic situation of Polish science.

Awarding of the Honorary Doctorate to Prof. Jerzy Hausner

The first part of the celebrations was devoted to awarding the honorary doctorate of the University of Lodz to Prof. Jerzy Hausner – a Professor of Economic Sciences, a long-standing member of staff at the Krakow University of Economics, author of over 700 scientific publications, co-author of public reforms and one of the key figures in the Polish debate on the economy and public administration.

In a short speech after receiving the honorary doctorate, Prof. Jerzy Hausner expressed his gratitude to the distinguished academics of the University of Lodz with whom he had the pleasure of collaborating throughout his academic career and public service in state administration. In his lecture on the main contemporary and historical economic mechanisms, he emphasised the role of credibility, trust and responsibility of public institutions for a properly functioning economy. He did not conceal his critical view of the political internal conflict taking place in Poland, which – in his opinion – significantly weakens the credibility of the state.

The full text of Prof. Hausner’s lecture delivered during the ceremony will be available on our YouTube channel [link coming soon].

Distinctions for the #UniLodz community

The 81st anniversary of #UniLodz is an opportunity to honour the individuals who shape our community. It is a moment when, gathered together in a ceremonial atmosphere, we recognised the long-standing scientific and research efforts of those who have permanently influenced the development and perception of science.

“Universitatis Lodziensis Amico” (Friend of the University of Lodz) Medals 

  • Prof. Andrzej Mania – Jagiellonian UniversityProf. Bolesław Niemierko – SWPS UniversityKrzysztof Pietraszkiewicz – Polish Academic‑Economic Forum
  • Prof. Krzysztof Szot – University of Silesia
  • Aleksander Julian Szymański – President of the National Council of Notaries
  • Łódź Special Economic Zone S.A.
  • Justus Liebig University Giessen

"Universitas Lodziensis Merentibus” Medals

“University of Lodz in Service to Society and Science” Medals

Gold Badge of the University of Lodz

Published: Agnieszka Woś-Moder

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Funduszepleu
Projekt Multiportalu UŁ współfinansowany z funduszy Unii Europejskiej w ramach konkursu NCBR