The community of the Medical University of Gdańsk honoured one of the most distinguished representatives of Polish pharmaceutical science. Prof. Piotr Szefer, former Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, long-standing Head of the Department of Bromatology, researcher and academic teacher, received the dignity of Honorary Professor of the Medical University of Gdańsk. The event was also of particular significance due to the presentation of the MUG 80th Anniversary Medals to distinguished employees of the Faculty of Pharmacy.
The ceremony, held on 16th June 2026, brought together representatives of the University authorities, the Senate, faculty councils, former Rectors, employees, students and numerous guests associated with Professor Szefer’s work. Prof. Piotr Szefer was also accompanied by his closest family: his wife, daughter, son-in-law and grandson.
The event was opened by the Rector of the Medical University of Gdańsk, Prof. Michał Markuszewski. – Today’s ceremony is of particular significance for the Medical University of Gdańsk. We confer upon Professor Piotr Szefer the dignity of Honorary Professor of the Medical University of Gdańsk – a distinction awarded to individuals who, through their achievements, attitude and many years of service, have contributed to building the authority of our University. For me, this is also a deeply personal ceremony. I have known Professor Szefer for over 30 years. That is long enough not only to follow someone’s scientific path, but also to come to know their way of thinking, temperament, sense of humour, loyalty to the institution and that form of quiet consistency which, in academia, is often more valuable than the most impressive declarations. We thank you for science that brings together the environment, food and human health. We thank you for interdisciplinarity before it became a fashionable word. We thank you for years of work for the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Medical University of Gdańsk. Finally, we thank you for the students, colleagues and pupils to whom you have passed on not only knowledge, but also the ethos of reliability. We thank you for your presence – calm, strong, kind and unmistakably your own.
The course of the proceedings leading to the conferment of the dignity of Honorary Professor was presented by the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Danuta Siluk. The reviewers involved in the evaluation of the candidacy were Prof. Ryszard Kocjan from the Medical University of Lublin, Prof. Ryszard Łobiński from the Warsaw University of Technology and Prof. Bogusław Buszewski from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.
The next part of the ceremony was devoted to the presentation of Professor Szefer’s scientific, teaching and organisational achievements. The laudation was delivered by Prof. Krzysztof Cal from the Department of Applied Pharmacy, who emphasised Prof. Piotr Szefer’s long-standing contribution to the development of pharmaceutical sciences, the education of successive generations of specialists, and the strengthening of the position of the Medical University of Gdańsk in Poland and abroad. – Professor Piotr Szefer is an outstanding figure in the world of science. His scientific and professional career has for many years been inseparably connected with the Medical University of Gdańsk, of which he is an alumnus. (…) He has made a fundamental contribution to the development of Polish environmental chemistry and bromatology. In both his research and the methods he applied, he was repeatedly ahead of his time. As a teacher and mentor, he has served as a model for many generations, passing on not only knowledge, but also the ethos of scientific work based on integrity and respect for facts.
Following the reading of the Latin text of the diploma by Prof. Danuta Siluk, the ceremonial act of conferment took place. Rector Prof. Michał Markuszewski announced the admission of Prof. Piotr Szefer to the group of Honorary Professors of the Medical University of Gdańsk and subsequently presented him with the diploma and commemorative gifts.
The artistic setting of the event was provided by musicians from the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk. Participants also listened to a recital performed by the duo Ewa Nizielska and Mateusz Warzecha.
A congratulatory letter addressed to Prof. Piotr Szefer on behalf of Magdalena Kołodziejczak, Member of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, was read by Filip Borawski, Director of the MP’s Offices. – This exceptional distinction is not only the formal culmination of an impressive professional path, but above all an expression of the deepest recognition of the academic community for your outstanding scientific, teaching and organisational achievements. Having passed through all stages of an academic career – from a young assistant at the Department of Analytical Chemistry, through the positions of Vice-Dean and Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, to many years as Head of the Department of Bromatology – you have become an unsurpassed model of research reliability and academic ethos. (…) On this special day, on my own behalf and on behalf of the entire community, I extend my warmest congratulations to Professor Szefer. I wish you unfailing health, enduring satisfaction with the fruits of your immense work, and continued joy in sharing knowledge.
An excerpt from a congratulatory letter from the Minister of Health, Jolanta Sobierańska-Grenda, was also read during the ceremony.
One of the most important moments of the ceremony was the address delivered by Prof. Piotr Szefer, who thanked the University for the distinction and shared reflections on his many years of scientific work. – I am very grateful for the appreciation of my many years of work and achievements in this field. Above all, I would like to thank the University and Faculty authorities, as well as the employees of my home University and Faculty, for recognising my effort and work, which, on the other hand, is, has been and, I hope, will continue to be my mission. I feel this calling, and I believe that I may still be able to do something valuable in the future. Prof. Szefer then delivered a lecture entitled From Analytics to Chemometrics in the Quality Control of Nutrition in Innovative Pharmacy.
The second part of the event was devoted to the 80th anniversary of MUG. The Rector presented the University 80th Anniversary Medals to employees of the Faculty of Pharmacy whose scientific, teaching and organisational activity has become a lasting part of the history of the Medical University of Gdańsk.
Before presenting the distinctions, Prof. Michał Markuszewski recalled the significance of the jubilee medal, designed by Prof. Jan Szczypka from the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk. The symbolism of the design refers to the individuality of members of the academic community and to the continuity of tradition that builds the identity of the University.
The MUG 80th Anniversary Medals were awarded to:
- Prof. Tomasz Bączek
- Prof. Krzysztof Cal
- Prof. Wojciech Czarnowski
- Prof. Zenon Ganowiak
- Prof. Jerzy Klimek
- Prof. Mirosława Krauze-Baranowska
- Prof. Renata Ochocka
- Anastasis Pacanis, Ph.D., D.Sc.
- Prof. Ryszard Piękoś
- Prof. Apolonia Rybczyńska
- Prof. Wiesław Sawicki
- Prof. Piotr Szefer
- Prof. Małgorzata Sznitowska
- Prof. Marek Wesołowski
- Assoc. Prof. Bartosz Wielgomas, Pharm.D., D.Sc.
- Jan Wutkowski
The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of Prof. Piotr Szefer’s name on the plaque commemorating the Honorary Professors of the Medical University of Gdańsk. The act was performed in the presence of the participants by Rector Prof. Michał Markuszewski and the newly appointed Honorary Professor.
After the official part of the ceremony, guests had the opportunity to sign the Commemorative Book and attend a reception.
