Report on the Jubilee Inauguration of the Academic Year 2024/2025

The inauguration of the 2024/2025 academic year at the Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology was held on October 3. This year had a special anniversary significance for us, as we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of our Academy. Thus, we began another fourth decade of activity.

The ceremony was opened by His Magnificence Dr. Jerzy Paweł Nowacki, who also welcomed all the distinguished guests. Then we listened to the anthems of Poland and Japan, which were performed by the SGGW choir under the direction of Dr. Pawel Choina.

Distinguished guests enriched the ceremony with their presence:

• His Excellency Akio Miyajima - Ambassador of Japan to Poland,
• Dr. Shinichi Kitaoka - former President of JICA,
• Ms. Barbara Nowacka - Minister of Education,
• Prof. Dr. Marek Konarzewski - President of the Polish Academy of Sciences,
• Directors and deputy directors of scientific institutions and museums, company presidents, representatives of flagship partners PJAIT, representatives of the PASONA Group,
• Rectors and pro-rectors of friendly universities, 

as well as friends of the Academy, continuously supporting its activities since its inception.

Rector PJAIT, Dr. Jerzy Pawel Nowacki in his speech referred to the history of the Academy and recalled its beginnings. He recalled that at the time of the founding of the Polish-Japanese Institute of Information Technology in 1994, academy offered only computer science studies, which were started by only 90 students. Over these 30 years, academy has expanded its educational offerings to include Faculty of New Media Arts, Faculty of Culture of Japan and Faculty of Information Management, with more than 2,100 students from as many as 78 different countries beginning their studies in 2024. The rector also emphasized the mission PJAIT has pursued since its inception, and congratulated the students and teaching staff for their impressive achievements. 

The floor was then taken by the Japanese Ambassador to Poland, Mr. Miyajima Akio, who spoke about his cooperation with PJAIT and noted the importance of nurturing Polish-Japanese relations. This was followed by a speech by Dr. Shinichi Kitaoka, former President of JICA, who expressed the hope that PJAIT will always remain a living symbol of friendship between Poland and Japan. Barbara Nowacka, Minister of Education, recalled the beginnings of PJAIT 30 years ago and noted:

"I am convinced that thanks to the great contribution of the Academy, as well as the many other universities represented by the guests present here, we are able to prepare the society of the future in such a way that Poland becomes a center of new technology development for the world. We also want the young people who choose to study to be as prepared as possible for the development of these technologies, while at the same time gaining resilience to the risks associated with them."

Representatives of students and doctoral students also spoke. We then listened to the keynote lecture "Between Utopia and AI dystopia", which was delivered by Prof. Dr. Marek Konarzewski, President of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

This event could not have taken place without the students, beginning their educational journey within the walls of the Polish-Japanese Academy. Those present at the ceremony proudly took the oath, symbolizing their acceptance into the community of our university. We wish them that their studies will be an unforgettable moment in their lives.

So let's enter the new academic year with an open head, courage and joy!