We have just experienced one of the most beautiful events in the academic calendar! On 3 July 2026, the Catalogue Hall of the University of Warsaw Library (BUW) was filled with graduates of the Faculty of Law and Administration (WPiA UW) from the 2025/2026 cohort!
On 3 July 2026, the Catalogue Hall of the University of Warsaw Library hosted the solemn Graduation Ceremony for the Alumni of the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Warsaw from the 2025/2026 cohort. The ceremony marked the culmination of many years of diligent study and symbolically opened a new chapter in the professional lives of young lawyers and administrators. The graduates were accompanied on this day by their proud parents and loved ones, and the event was also graced by the presence of distinguished friends and partners of the Faculty.
The ceremony commenced with the solemn entrance into the Hall of the procession of graduates, robed in gowns and mortarboards. They were followed by the Faculty Council, the Dean's College of WPiA UW, and the University's Rectoral Authorities, along with the Special Guest of the ceremony.
At 10:30 a.m., the official part began. The Academic Choir performed the national anthem, followed by "Ode to Joy". After the musical interlude, it was time for speeches – each speaker wished to bid a dignified farewell to the students embarking on a new path in life.
The first to speak was the Dean of the Faculty, dr hab. Sławomir Żółtek, prof. ucz. He congratulated the freshly graduated alumni on completing their studies and, with sentiment, referred to the years spent together – devoted to learning, examinations, but also experiences that will forever remain a part of their academic journey. Subsequently, His Magnificence the Rector of the University of Warsaw, prof. dr hab. Alojzy Nowak, addressed the alumni, reminding them of the mission they should fulfil in their adult lives – to bring about positive change, always with mindfulness of others. The next speaker, the Director General of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Marcin Iskra, reminisced about his own student days – as he emphasised, he himself graduated from the Faculty exactly 25 years ago – and wished all alumni a successful professional career. This part of the ceremony concluded with the speech of the Special Guest, the Dean of the Regional Chamber of Legal Advisers in Warsaw, r. pr. Anna Sękowska, who wished the alumni every success in their further professional endeavours.
Subsequently, the Head of Studies, dr Valeri Vachev, was invited to the podium. After congratulating those assembled, he officially commenced the most important part of the event – the diploma awarding ceremony. This year's cohort boasts an exceptionally high number of diplomas with distinction – among the graduates of all specialisations present at the ceremony, there were as many as 81, out of a total of 274 graduates participating in the ceremony. It was a special moment: a moment when years of hard work received official confirmation, and the alumni could proudly stand before their peers, families, and lecturers – as young individuals full of potential with excellent prospects for the future. In honour of those gathered in the Hall, the solemn anthem "Gaude Mater Polonia" resonated.
After the diploma award ceremony, it was time for the closing speeches. Mr Jan Wagner – an alumnus who graduated with the highest average, 5.00 – stood before the podium. In his speech, he emphasised that although the adventure of studying at the Faculty had concluded, it is worth continuously setting new goals – so that in a few years, everyone will be where they aspire to be. The last speech was delivered by the President of the WPiA UW Alumni Club ALUMNI, Mateusz Komorowski, who reminded everyone that there is no need to bid a final farewell to the Faculty and encouraged participation in fostering its intergenerational community within the Club.
The official part culminated in the traditional, joyful tossing of mortarboards and the singing of "Gaudeamus igitur" by the Choir. The celebrations then moved to the BUW Gardens, where a specially organised graduation picnic awaited the alumni and their loved ones – an opportunity for commemorative photographs, conversations, and collective celebration of this unique day.
Once again, heartfelt congratulations to the 2025/2026 Cohort! We wish you success on your further professional and personal journeys!