The PKA 20th Anniversary Gala

Wishing to properly celebrate this year’s anniversary, the Committee decided to organize the PKA 20th Anniversary Gala on October 26, 2022. The event was held in the building of the former University of Warsaw Library. The Gala was opened by the President of the Polish Accreditation Committee – Prof. dr hab. Stanisław Wrzosek,  who in his speech referred to the Committee’s 20-year achievements and the role of PKA in the higher education sector. Among the invited guests present was dr. hab. Przemysław Czarnek – Minister of Education and Science, who emphasized the commitment and consistency of the Polish Accreditation Committee. The Minister thanked the Polish Accreditation Committee for its contribution to the development of higher education, improving the quality of education and taking measures to increase the competitiveness of Polish universities. The gathered guests at the walls of the University of Warsaw – on behalf of His Magnificence the Rector – were welcomed by prof. dr hab. Ewa Krogulec, – Vice Rector of the University of Warsaw for Development, who in her speech referred to the special role of PKA in the system of ensuring the quality of education in higher education, while emphasizing the essence of the Committee’s relationship with universities.

An important highlight of the Gala was the presentation of awards to the leadership of the Committee of previous terms, as well as to distinguished and long-standing members of the Committee, its external experts and the staff of the PKA Bureau. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary, the President of the Polish Accreditation Committee awarded distinctions and presented medals as a token of appreciation for long and extremely fruitful work for the Committee, as well as for involvement in numerous activities aimed at ensuring and improving the quality of education, as well as building a culture of quality at Polish universities.

The inaugural lecture entitled Quality and Ethics was delivered by Rev. Prof. Tomasz Barankiewicz – Head of the Department of Theory and Philosophy of Law at the Faculty of Law, Canon Law and Administration of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin.

The PKA 20th Anniversary Gala was honored with a recital by Dr. Marcin Jablonski – a graduate of the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice in the accordion class of Prof. dr. hab. Joachim Pichura and dr. hab. Piotr Chołłowicz.

Another highlight of the Gala was the screening of a film prepared for the 20th anniversary of the Polish Accreditation Committee. The film presented key information about PKA’s activities, including the mission and values that guide the Committee in its work. The film also presented the tasks carried out and the effects of the activities undertaken.

The event provided a unique opportunity to bring together PKA members and experts, as well as colleagues who have been associated with the Committee over the 20 years of its operation. Among the invited guests were representatives of the former leadership of the Committee. This provided an unusual opportunity to organize a debate entitled “The Polish Accreditation Committee in the system of higher education in Poland in the perspective of the 20 years of its activity (2002-2022),” to which the President of the PKA of previous terms were invited. The debate created a unique opportunity to discuss and exchange valuable experiences resulting from the leadership of the Committee, taking into account the historical and legal background characteristic of the successive stages in the development of the Commission. The debate was attended by dr hab. Andrzej Jamiołkowski, President of PKA for the first term, Prof. dr hab. Zbigniew Marciniak, President of PKA for the second term, Prof. dr hab. Marek Rocki, President of PKA for the third and fourth terms, and – as moderator of the debate – Prof.dr hab. Stanisław Wrzosek, President of PKA for the sixth term.

The Gala of the 20th anniversary of the Polish Accreditation Committee was accompanied by an exhibition presenting the work of artists from among PKA members and experts. Invited guests were able to view works by Prof. dr. hab. Andrzej Banachowicz, dr hab. Tadeusz Boruta, Barbara Jura, Prof. Paulina Komorowska-Birger, Prof. Adam Romaniuk, Prof. Janina Rudnicka, Prof.dr hab. Andrzej Sapia, and Prof. Urszula Ślusarczyk.

The PKA 20th Anniversary Gala was held under the honorary patronage of the Minister of Education and Science.