LET'S EXPERIENCE IT AGAIN, 2024 THROUGH LENS OF UNIVERSITY PHOTOJOURNALISTS

Undoubtedly, the year 2024 went down in the history of Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa as a time of development, increasing achievements, setting new directions and implementing innovative solutions related to management and organisation. It was a year of changes – the academic community elected a new Rector in democratic elections. Prof. Anna Wypych-Gawrońska, who held this position since 2016, was replaced by Prof. Janusz Kapuśniak (since 1 September 2024). New vice-rectors were appointed, elections of members of the JDU Senate took place, and at the end of the year, a new composition of the University Council for the years 2025-2028 was elected. These are just some of the changes...

2024 also brought successes on the national and international arena. Let us briefly note some of them: the admission of the University to the group forming the Conference of Rectors of Polish Universities (KRUP), awarding the title of Doctor Honoris Causa to Prof. Jerzy Buzek during the University Day, opening new laboratories – e.g. the Centre for Medical Simulations of Emergency Medical Services, or modernising the Senate Hall of JDU. The university community also recorded many successes. Let's focus (subjectively!) on noting one of them – winning the gold medal in the final of the Polish Academic Men's Football Championship. The team showed power and will to fight.

We should not forget about the celebrations organised by the faculties related to the farewell of the graduates, which took place for the first time in the history of the University. The events were characterised by momentum and solemnity, they were full of emotions for the graduates and their relatives and will undoubtedly remain in their memory for years. At this point, it is also worth noting the extremely successful recruitment. The recognition of the University is evidenced by the fact that nearly 8200 candidates from all over Poland declared their willingness to study!

The academic community cannot function without international exchange: staff, thoughts, ideas, achievements of other centres, offering its own results and achievements in return. In this field, the implementation of the COLOURS project and cooperation with eight universities from Europe (from 1 January 2024) should be mentioned in particular. The experience gained determined to look for new partners and make new friends. To facilitate this process, the Welcome Centre was launched in the spring of 2024, which with its work deepens internationalisation and places JDU in the ranks of universities that count on the European arena!

To conclude the summary of 2024 (it was supposed to be short, but it turned out to be longer than expected), it is appropriate to ask the question – what will 2025 be like? – without risking much, you can say that it will be "hardworking"!

In 2025, the University's staff will implement projects for which they have obtained funding. They will certainly apply for more funds. We strongly believe that it will be possible to implement numerous investment plans and increase cooperation with partners in Poland and abroad. It will be necessary to face the difficulties resulting from the demographic decline, convincing candidates to take up education at JDU for first- and second-cycle studies, as well as at the Doctoral School. It will also be a year bringing us closer to the 55th anniversary of the University – the best proof of this will be the inauguration (already 55th) of the academic year scheduled for October 2, 2025.

However, before this happens, we would like to wish all members of the academic community health and strength for further work for the entire year 2025! In addition to the traditional "Until the next year", we wish you scientific and professional promotions, the implementation of your own plans, and at the same time courage in making decisions, on which the development and future of our academic centre often depends. We have been associated with it for a longer or shorter time, but we should always remember that this is "our University"!

Below, a short photo coverage that is a summary of the passing 2024!