On 7 October 2025, Collegium Da Vinci held a Inauguration of the Academic Year 2025/2026.
The event gathered numerous guests, students, staff, and graduates of the university, who celebrated the beginning of the new academic year together. At the very beginning of the ceremony, we thanked the people without whom we would not be able to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Collegium Da Vinci, namely the former Rectors and Chancellors of CDV:
- prof. dr hab. Waldemar Łazuga
Rector of CDV in 2002-2008 - prof. dr hab. Karol Olejnik
Rector of CDV in 2008-2012 - dr inż. Krzysztof Nowakowski
Rector of CDV in 2012-2022 - Małgorzata Wróblewska
Chancellor of CDV in 2004–2013 - Joanna Mihułka – Petru
Chancellor of CDV in 2013–2015
This year’s inauguration of the academic year is particularly important for our university, as it marks the 30th anniversary of Collegium Da Vinci. On this occasion, a refreshed visual identity for CDV was presented during the ceremony. You can read more about the changes here.
Next, the audience gathered in the Aula Artis listened to a speech by the Rector of Collegium Da Vinci, Marek Zieliński, PhD, professor at CDV. In his speech, he summarised the past academic year, emphasising the importance of courage in the development of the university, the community and each of us.
The ceremony also included an immatriculation ceremony, during which new students were officially accepted into the academic community of Collegium Da Vinci. It was a moment that symbolised the beginning of a new stage in their lives.
During the inauguration ceremony, awards were presented to outstanding administrative and teaching staff in recognition of their work to date. This year, the Rector’s Awards were also presented to CDV students.
Partner companies also received honours in gratitude for their cooperation and contribution to the development of the university. The award ceremony was an opportunity to thank them for their invaluable contribution to building the friendly and dynamic atmosphere that characterises Collegium Da Vinci.
Jubilee awards were also presented to employees in gratitude for their many years of commitment to the university.
The next point on the programme was a speech by Tomasz Berlak, a student of Digital Marketing (second-cycle studies), who shared his experiences related to both his studies and personal development. In his speech, he emphasised the importance of courage in action, choices and searching for one’s own career path.
His speech showed that the value of courage, which is one of the qualities of Collegium Da Vinci, has a real impact on the activities of the academic community.
The inaugural lecture entitled ‘Why do we need courage?’ was given by Dorota Masłowska – writer, playwright, essayist and performer. She is the author of texts that shook Polish literature at the beginning of the 21st century and remain one of the most important voices commenting on our everyday life. Her language is not only a tool, but also an artistic medium – original, expressive and uncompromising. She is the winner of the most important Polish literary awards and the creator of plays staged from Romania to New York. She is known for her courage in tackling social, cultural and identity issues – and for her courage in their form.
In her speech, she drew attention to the complexity of defining the very word “courage”. She pointed out how the meaning of this word has evolved over the years and through social change.
Among the speakers that day was also Piotr Voelkel, founder of Collegium Da Vinci, who congratulated the academic community on its successes in recent years and emphasised the role of courage in action.
At the end of the ceremony, the Dysonans Chamber Choir performed Gaudeamus Igitur, emphasising the academic nature of the event and symbolically sealing the new beginning of the academic year.
This year’s inauguration ceremony was also accompanied by the opening of an exhibition in the gallery in the foyer of the Aula Artis entitled ‘My heart has always been a hidden bomb’, curated by Prof. Marta Smolińska. The exhibition presents a selection of works from the Voelkel family collection and the Wielkopolska Zachęta, showcasing the diverse creative attitudes and emotional tensions present in 20th and 21st century art.
