A solemn meeting of the Rector’s Council and the NCU Senate and the presentation of the first Laurus Aesculapii statuettes will mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Medical University in Bydgoszcz, the 20th anniversary of its incorporation into the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń and the establishment of the NCU Collegium Medicum.
The history of medicine in Bydgoszcz dates back to 1984, when the Ludwik Rydygier Medical University in Bydgoszcz was established on the basis of the Branch Faculty of Medicine of the Medical Academy of Gdańsk. Two decades later, on 24 November 2004, it joined forces with the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, and the NCU’s Collegium Medicum was formed by law.
Almost exactly 20 years later – on 25 November 2024 at the Pomeranian Philharmonic Hall in Bydgoszcz – the university community will celebrate both medical jubilees. The celebrations will begin at 9:30 a.m. The programme – in addition to commemorative speeches by prof. dr habil. Andrzej Tretyn, NCU Rector, and prof. dr habil. Dariusz Grzanka, Vice-Rector for the NCU Collegium Medicum – will also include a lecture by Dr Krzysztof Nierzwicki entitled ’From the history of the academic teaching of medicine in Bydgoszcz’. Guests will also have the opportunity to listen to a joint performance by both university choirs: the NCU Academic Choir and the Choir of the Collegium Medicum.
The gala meeting of the Rector’s Council and the Senate will also be an opportunity to honour people of particular merit for the development of the Collegium Medicum and medical education at the NCU. For the first time, the statuettes will be presented. The award, created in the Year of Jubilees on the initiative of the Rectors’ authorities, is intended to honour those who develop scientific research and the university infrastructure, support the development of the academic staff, build international relations and co-operate with the social and business circles, and by their actions contribute to popularising the achievements of the Collegium Medicum both at home and abroad.
The statuette consists of two transparent glass blocks that contain symbolism related to the history of the Collegium Medicum and the NCU. The statuette was designed and made by Toruń-based artist prof. dr habil. Alicja Majewska from the NCU Faculty of Fine Arts The jubilee celebrations at the Pomeranian Philharmonic will close with a concert by the Krzysztof Herdzin Trio.
Just to remind you – in the 2024/2025 academic year, the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń is celebrating three important anniversaries: The 20th anniversary of the University’s merger with the Medical Academy in Bydgoszcz and the establishment of the Collegium Medicum from NCU, the 40th anniversary of the Medical Academy in Bydgoszcz and the 80th anniversary of the University.
Important dates:
21st July 1984 – Act on the Establishment of the Ludwik Rydygier Medical Academy in Bydgoszcz on the basis of the Branch Faculty of Medicine of the Medical Academy of Gdańsk
24th November 2004 – merger of the NCU and the Medical University of Bydgoszcz
24th August 1945 – Decree of the Council of Ministers (approved on 11th September by the National Council) on the Establishment of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. The university was initially made up of two faculties: the humanities (with a fine arts section) and the mathematical-natural sciences. The Rector and de facto organiser of the university was then Professor Ludwik Kolankowski.
5th January 1946 – formal inauguration of the first academic year at the NCU in the Collegium Maius. The inaugural lectures were given by historian Professor Kazimierz Hartleb and astronomer Professor Władysław Dziewulski. A total of 1605 students received their student cards.
On the occasion of the jubilees celebrated by the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń and Bydgoszcz this academic year, murals referring to the celebrated anniversaries are being created. The first of these can already be seen on the wall of the NCU Collegium Medicum building at 24 Karłowicza. Later this year, work will begin on a mural in Toruń, which will cover more than 130 square metres of the eastern wall of a high-rise building at 120-126 Gagarina, which will be seen from the Rectorate.
Photo captions:
The statuette consists of two glass blocks – one referring to the period of the Medical Academy in Bydgoszcz since its foundation in 1984, the other with a blue colour accent taken from the NCU visual code refers to the activities of the Collegium Medicum within the University.
The history of medicine in Bydgoszcz dates back to 1984, when the Ludwik Rydygier Medical Academy in Bydgoszcz was established. Two decades later, on 24 November 2004, it joined forces with the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.