University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn

The University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (UWM) was founded on 1 September 1999. The establishment resulted from merging three institutions of higher education in Olsztyn, i.e. the Academy of Agriculture and Technology, the Higher School of Pedagogy, and Warmian Theological Institute.

At first, in 1999, there were 12 faculties, 32 branches of study, and 24.500 students at UWM. The University also had a right to grant doctoral degrees in 13 scientific disciplines, and postdoctoral degrees in 6 branches. According to the University’s Act of Establishment, the position of the first Rector of UWM was taken by Prof. Ryszard Górecki, Ph.D. The University has been settled in Kortowo – an academic campus that used to belong to the Academy of A&T.

UWM has undergone an intense transformation since its beginnings. Achieving such progress would not be possible without funds of the European Union. Educational and scientific bases of the University have been significantly reinforced, for example by purchasing high-tech laboratory equipment.

Over the years, the UWM offer was extended to new branches of study, and consequently, new faculties were established. Currently, there are 17 faculties at UWM, 11 of which have full academic rights, namely the right to grant post-doctoral degrees (in 13 disciplines). Furthermore, the doctoral degree can be granted at 16 faculties, within 24 disciplines.

In the Academic Year 2020/2021, there are 18.000 students that are educated at 17 faculties, and 65 branches of study, within either full-time or part-time studies. Additionally, there are also 600 doctoral candidates and 1000 post-graduate students.

/ ©University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn

©University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn

Student-friendly university

The Student Parliament of the Republic of Poland awarded UWM the title of a student-friendly university twice already, in 2004 and 2008. Seventy universities were competing for this honorable title.

What influenced the Parliament to make such a decision? Students' active participation in the work of the university senate and recruitment committees, facilitating communication with the faculties' authorities and the manner of dealing with disagreements. The Student Parliament also took into account the possibility of individualizing the course of studies, teaching foreign languages free of charge, number of students per one professor, protecting dissertations against plagiarism, the general conditions for studying and relaxing, and, finally, possibilities of developing students' interests. Other things taken into account where the number of places in student accommodations (UWM has around 4300 such places), their standard and accessibility for the disabled, the library's collection, support for students' work, financial support for the 150 scientific societies and student organizations. The Parliament appreciated the university's radio station UWM FM, Kortowo Television and magazines, Song and Dance Folklore Group 'Kortowo', university choir 'Wawrzyczki', student festival 'Kortowiada' and, lastly, students' sports achievements.

/ ©University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn

©University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn

Mission

The mission of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn is to carry out diverse activities with the aim of educating highly qualified graduates and scientific staff, to carry out scientific research responding to the needs of the region’s economy and to enrich the national culture.

Strategic Goals

• To implement and observe high standards of education, suited to the needs of society, taking into special account the region of Warmia and Mazury.
• To pursue the development of high-quality scientific research, especially for an innovative economy, for example, by participation in research programs in Poland and abroad.
• To allow the University to pursue its educational and research activities on an international scale.
• To have the leading faculties of the University achieve the status of research centers.
• To ensure the financial stability of the University, especially by a considerable reduction of its debt.

Areas of Priority Activities

• Educating students, taking into account the needs of the labor market.
• Education and development of the academic staff.
• Scientific research.
• Human resource issues.
• Managing the University, with an emphasis put on its computerization.
• Financial management.
• The infrastructure of the University.
• Promotion of the University.