In 2024, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University celebrates its 80th anniversary. Throughout the year, the university will organize numerous engaging and inspiring initiatives, with October serving as the culmination of the anniversary celebrations. During this month, particularly on October 21-22, one of the most anticipated events of the year – the Maria Curie-Skłodowska International Congress, titled "Innovation is a Woman: Science - Business - Education" – will take place.
To mark the occasion, a press conference was held on September 26 at the Lublin Conference Center, announcing the event. The conference was attended by the Rector of UMCS, Prof. Radosław Dobrowolski; Vice-Rector for Students and Quality of Education, Prof. Dorota Kołodyńska; Chair of the Committee for the Celebration of the 80th Anniversary of UMCS, Prof. Jan Pomorski; and the Director of the UMCS Academic Centre for Culture and Media, Chatka Żaka, Mrs. Izabela Pastuszko. The meeting was moderated by the university's spokesperson, Mrs. Aneta Adamska.
The Rector of UMCS, Prof. Radosław Dobrowolski, was the first to speak: "The culmination of the 80th-anniversary celebrations will occur in October, a time when several important events will take place, not only for the University but also for the city. Many of these events will have national, if not European, significance. On October 1, we will hold the Community Inauguration of the Academic Year. Another major event, on October 5, will be the Reunion of Alumni and Friends of UMCS, an important gathering for the entire academic community. Additionally, on October 21-22, we will host the International Maria Curie Congress, 'Innovation is a Woman: Science - Business - Education,' which will bring together distinguished figures from the realms of science, business, and education. Simultaneously, we will host the Conference of Rectors of Polish Universities, along with international guests from institutions associated with the ATHENA European Universities Consortium. We warmly invite everyone to join these celebrations."
Prof. Jan Pomorski provided a detailed overview of the Congress: "This year marks an important milestone for our university, and from the outset, we wanted to honor our patron, Maria Curie-Skłodowska, in a meaningful way by organizing an international congress on this occasion. The goal was to highlight the innovative contributions of women, which we aim to showcase through three thematic paths: science, business, and education.”
In the science panel, Prof. Jan Pomorski highlighted the focus on female university leaders: "We invited female rectors from Poland and Europe to reflect on the female face of a university. The panel will be chaired by Prof. Ewa Solska and will feature prominent figures such as Prof. Bogumiła Kaniewska, Chair of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland and Rector of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, as well as Prof. Katarzyna Chałasińska-Macukow from the University of Warsaw, the first female rector in Poland."
The focus on women extends throughout the business path as well. "The first panel, featuring remarkable women who have built Polish brands recognized globally, will be moderated by Magda Mołek. Notable participants include Dr. Irena Eris, Dominika Kulczyk, and Sylwia Mokrysz, co-founder of Mokate. Additionally, we have included a local perspective, with Sylwia Dołęgowska from the Żagiel Group joining the discussion," emphasized Prof. Pomorski, Chair of the Committee for the Celebration of the 80th Anniversary.
The event will also feature an immersive interaction with an avatar of Maria Curie-Skłodowska and an exceptional poster session showcasing the research of fifteen UMCS doctoral students. Prof. Pomorski stressed: "We aim not only to enhance the global recognition of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska brand but also to position Lublin as a place where women can excel in all domains."
The congress will be inaugurated by Barbara Nowacka, the Minister of National Education, who will also participate in a panel discussion titled "Education in the World of Meta: What Do Schools and Universities Offer Generation Alpha?" The panel will be led by Prof. Dorota Kołodyńska, Vice-Rector for Students and Quality of Education at UMCS.
Prof. Kołodyńska expressed her enthusiasm: "I am pleased that the Congress program includes a panel dedicated to education. The Meta generation, which engages with the metaverse daily, will soon enter universities. Therefore, we must consider how to engage, communicate with, and educate this generation. To explore these issues, we have assembled a distinguished group of panelists, including Barbara Nowacka, Minister of Education; Katarzyna Lubnauer, State Secretary at the Ministry of National Education; Robert Firmhofer, director of the Copernicus Science Center; Prof. Marlena Plebańska, President of the STEAM Polska Foundation; and Katarzyna Olejnik, Principal of the Paderewski International Primary School in Lublin. I encourage active participation in the Congress and hope for engaging discussions as these will be very interesting. The voices of women in education are crucial.”
The event program will also feature a cultural component. Izabela Pastuszko provided insights into the artistic events accompanying the Congress: "The performance ’Elements of Life’ is a project born out of the creative needs of both the Chatka Żaka team and the students, who became inspired by the life of Maria Curie-Skłodowska, an extraordinary woman and scientist. While we often view her life through the lens of success, this project presents a more nuanced portrayal, highlighting both her achievements and the challenges she faced." She added, "The University has also invited the Polish Radio Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Agnieszka Duczmal, to perform on the second day of the Congress. I guess there is nothing more to say at this point, except that the program will feature exceptional arrangements of works by Ludwig van Beethoven and Edward Elgar."
The International Maria Curie-Skłodowska Congress "Innovation is a Woman: Science – Business – Education" will gather representatives from the fields of business, science, education, as well as government officials.
Over the two days of the Congress, participants can expect panel discussions featuring successful women and advocates for science and innovation, an immersive experience with an interactive avatar of Maria Curie-Skłodowska, and the inaugural edition of the innovative project ’Maria Curie Exploratorium’. A letter of intent to advance this investment project will be signed by the Rector of UMCS Prof. Radosław Dobrowolski, the Marshal of the Lublin Voivodeship Jarosław Stawiarski, and the Mayor of Lublin Dr. Krzysztof Żuk.
Maria Curie-Skłodowska, the University's patron, was an exceptional scientist and a two-time Nobel Prize laureate. Her legacy obliges us to promote the achievements and essential contributions of women in science. Women constitute over half of the global population, and history has repeatedly demonstrated their passion for education and their desire to advance science. At Maria Curie-Skłodowska University alone, we employ 61% female staff and educate 67% of female students. During the Congress, experts from various international fields will engage in discussions inspired by the theme "Innovation is a Woman," focusing on entrepreneurship, development, education, science, and culture.
Registration for the Congress and accompanying artistic performances is available online at www.kongres.umcs.pl, though space is limited. Those unable to attend in person can follow the event via live streams on the UMCS Facebook and YouTube channels.
Strategic partner: City of Lublin. Event partner: Lublin Voivodeship.
The Congress has received honorary patronage from: Marshal of the Sejm Szymon Hołownia, Minister of Science Dariusz Wieczorek, State Secretary in the Ministry of National Education Joanna Mucha, Lublin Governor Krzysztof Komorski, and Marshal of the Lublin Voivodeship Jarosław Stawiarski.
Sponsors include: Inter Broker, Elpar Cable Factory, Mokate, Skarbiec TFI, and the Żagiel Group.
Media patronage: Academic Forum, Perspektywy, PAP Nauka w Polsce, Gazeta Wyborcza, TVP3 Lublin, Radio Zet, Radio Lublin, Academic Radio Centrum, and TV UMCS.
Photo: Michał Piłat, Bartosz Proll
