PUEB rector signed Magna Charta Universitatum

On October 25, 2023, the rector of Poznań University of Business and Economics, Professor Maciej Żukowski, speaking on behalf of the academic community of our university, signed the Magna Charta Universitatum document. Representatives of 34 universities from home and abroad placed their signatures on the declaration. The host of the solemn renewal of the resolutions, formulated in 1988 on the occasion of the 900th anniversary of the University of Bologna, was the University of Lodz.

The Magna Charta Universitatum, a declaration and affirmation of the fundamental principles upon which the mission of universities should be based, was signed in 1988 on the occasion of the 900th anniversary of the University of Bologna. The first principle was independence: research and teaching must be intellectually and morally independent of all political influence and economic interests. The second was that teaching and research should be inseparable, with students engaged in the search for knowledge and greater understanding. The third principle identified the university as a site for free enquiry and debate, distinguished by its openness to dialogue and rejection of intolerance.

Intellectual and moral autonomy is the hallmark of any university and a precondition for the fulfilment of its responsibilities to society. That independence needs to be recognized and protected by governments and society at large, and defended vigorously by institutions themselves. As they create and disseminate knowledge, universities question dogmas and established doctrines and encourage critical thinking in all students and scholars. Academic freedom is their lifeblood; open enquiry and dialogue their nourishment. Universities embrace their duty to teach and undertake research ethically and with integrity, producing reliable, trustworthy and accessible results. The rector of PUEB also spoke as a representative of the signatories gathered at the ceremony.

The rector of PUEB also spoke as a representative of the signatories gathered at the ceremony.

‘I am proud that this ceremony is taking place in Poland, a country which has gone in recent three decades through an extremely successfull economic, political and societal transformation. Polish universities have contributed to this success to a large extent, through their research and education, proving the fullfilment of their role in society, their impact on economy, on political and social life’ – emphasized Professor Żukowski in his speech.

The principles set forth in Magna Charta Universitatum are as valid today as they were in 1988 and are an indispensable condition for the progress of mankind through inquiry, analysis and prudent action.

We are RESPONSIBLE for the quality of education and research and our environment.