Vilnius branch of the University of Białystok inaugurated new academic year

Together with 102 new students in its ranks, Vilnius Faculty of Economics and Computer Science – branch of the University of Białystok – inaugurated the seventh year of its existence.

The inauguration ceremony of the new academic year traditionally took place on Saturday, 5 October at The Houe of Polish Culture in Vilnius.

Students and distinguished guests were welcomed by professor Jarosław Wołkonowski, dean of the Vilnius branch of the University of Białystok. He briefly submitted the university’s successes.

– Six years of intensive work have passed. Our ‘output’ of 304 graduates, 2 Doctors of economy and lots of reaserches and scientific papers enabled us to receive a ‘B’ grade in the process of evaluation led by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Last year we were one level lower – said professor Jarosław  Wołkonowski.

Dean of the university’s branch in Vilno was glad that most of the graduates work in Vilnius Region as financiers or accountants at the municipalities and local governments and some of them run their own businesses. Pretty many of the graduates continue the education at Polish and Lithuanian universities.

Currently there are 450 students at the Faculty of Economics and Computer Science at the Vilnius University’s branch. 102 of them are the first-year students.

– Unfortunately, there are less new students than in the past years. Therefore, we also have to deal with the baby bust and increased youth’s emigration problems present throughout the Europe – stressed Jarosław Wołkonowski.

Professor Wołkonowski also mentioned the problem of the lack of university’s own premises what has been the main problem since the beginnings of the Vilnius branch of the university.

– Present accomodation is not big enough and we can hardly manage to function properly. The rectorial authorities of the University of Białystok and the authorities of our faculty put great effort into solving this problem.

Without our own building it will be hard to develop and we intend to do so – said the dean.

Then, professor Jerzy Halicki, Vice-Rector for Students and Teaching Affairs of the University of Białystok, took the floor. Apart from the greetings he also stated his acknowledgement to professor Wołkonowski for maintaining the academic traditions.

– The traditions seem to disappear in the majority of European universities and I find it sad. The Doctor’s diploma, for example, can be received via the Internet, without the proper ceremony. The ceremonies are very important and such events should have a proper setting. I would like to thank the Dean that he always cares about the important ceremonies – said Halicki.

Edyta Tamošiūnaitė, deputy minister of education, also greeted the university’s community, congratulating everyone connected with education, on the occasion of the Teacher’s Day.

– I would like to congratulate you on choosing the good university since this is a dynamic faculty with perspectives. In the field of economics and IT there is practically no unemployment. There is a bright future  ahead of you, then – she said to the students – first of all I want to congratulate you choosing Polish faculty where you will be able to cultivate your values.

Students themselves were happy to chose the faculty, too.

– We graduated from Polish schools so it seems natural for us to study at the Polish university too. We are happy to have the opportunity to study in Polish without leaving the city and our families – the students said to the “Kurier”.

The most important part of the Saturday’s ceremony was the students’ matriculation – the ceremony during which the students commencing their studies are officially enrolled to the University and say their pledge.

Having said the pledge the students were given congratulation letters and student cards. In honour of the newly welcomed members of the academic society the song “Gaude Mater Polonia” was sung.

After the ceremony, according to the tradition, the inaugural lecture was delivered by the professor Jerzy Halicki. Amusing and charismatic lecture titled “Enterprise – way to riches and happiness” was rewarded with loud applause .

The Saturday’s ceremony was ended with a 200-year-old student’s anthem in Latin, “Gaudeamus igitur, iuvenes dum sumus” which means “Let’s rejoice then while we stay young”.

Source: http://kurierwilenski.lt/2013/10/07/filia-uwb-rozpoczela-nowy-rok-akademicki/

Tłumaczenie by Elżbieta Szafarz w ramach praktyk w Europejskiej Fundacji Praw Człowieka, www.efhr.eu. Translated by Elżbieta Szafarz within the framework of a traineeship programme of the European Foundation of Human Rights, www.efhr.eu.