Research in service of practice

The Polish Society of Veterinary Science organizes its congresses every four years and the events are hosted by various veterinary faculties all over Poland. This time, it was the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences that had the privilege to be the host of this year's edition of the Congress of the Polish Society of Veterinary Science - for the second time, after 16 years. The event was taken under the honorary patronage of Professor Roman Kołacz, Rector of the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences.

The motto of the 14th edition of the Congress was: “research in service of practice”, and the main purpose of the event was to familiarize the veterinary practitioners, animal breeders, veterinary companies, students and scientists of various specializations with the achievements of the UPWr researchers. The Congress provided a strong platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience. It also created an opportunity for novice researchers to present the results of their work to a wider audience.

“The opportunity to organize such a large-scale scientific event is undoubtedly a great honour for our unit, but most of all it is a real test of our professional competences and organizational skills,” said the chairman of the organizational committee, who not so long ago as dean of the UPWr collected a prize awarded to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine by the State Accreditation Committee.

Gathered together with other guests in the John Paul II Auditorium or the UPWr Research and Education Centre, Professor Jan Twardoń - the chairman of the organizational committee - wished everyone to have a wonderful time in Wrocław, especially at the University, and to use the opportunity to engage in a stimulating intellectual dialogue. President of the Polish Society of Veterinary Science, Professor Andrzej koncicki, joining the wishes expressed by Professor Twardoń, welcomed all the participants.

Among the guests who graced the special opening gala with their presence were the authorities of the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences together with Rector Professor Roman Kołacz and the representatives of the UPWr faculty and administrative authorities. State MPs were represented by dr Dorota Niedziela, who graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Wrocław, and the Polish Accreditation Committee was represented by Professor Stanisław kondracki. We also welcomed many members of the Polish Academy of Sciences, directors of research institutes, deans of veterinary faculties from other Polish universities, presidents of veterinary chambers and directors of veterinary inspectorates from across Poland, as well as numerous representatives of various business enterprises. President of the Polish Society of Veterinary Science welcomed the chief editor of the Medycyna Weterynaryjna monthly, Professor Elżbieta Pełczyńska, and dr Janusz Związek, the Chief Veterinary Officer. Among the participants there were also numerous international guests from Austria, Germany, Belgium and Ireland, such as Professors Walter Baumgartner, Thomas Wittek, Cornelia Metges, John Mee, Jorg Hartung, karsten Faige, Bernard Ohnsorge and Tom Risselaere-Gent.

Also Professors from Lviv visited Wrocław on this occasion. These were Vasyl Vlizlo, Luba Slivinska, Volodymer Stybel, Roman khomyk, Igor Maksimovich and Vasyl Stefanyk.

Professor Andrzej koncicki extended cordial greetings to all the gathered members of the scientific community, veterinary inspectorates and most of all to the veterinary practitioners.

The president of the Polish Society of Veterinary Science thanked the organizational committee for all the efforts and engagement in setting up this large and log isti- cally demanding event so professionally. He also extended his gratitude to the sponsors, especially to the general sponsor - the Mediwet company, which proudly celebrated its 20th anniversary.

The 14th Congress was also coupled with the 60th anniversary of the Polish Society of Veterinary Science. Professor Andrzej koncicki familiarized the participants with the highlights of Society’s history and expressed gratitude to all the distinguished individuals who contributed to its development and excellent reputation.

“Today we may proudly say that the importance of the congresses of the Polish Society of Veterinary Science is constantly growing. For us, veterinary practitioners, this event presents a unique opportunity to enrich our knowledge, which is the most valuable element of our profession. Today, we are all aware that advancements in the field of animal disease diagnostics, modern immunology and animal biophysical processes are very dynamic and we must constantly update our knowledge. That is why the Congress, which fosters education of veterinary practitioners in the area of latest veterinary developments, enjoys an ever growing interest. The Congress of the Polish Society of Veterinary Science is also aiming, like no other such event, to strengthen the bonds among the members of veterinary community,” summed up Andrzej koncicki.

Special congress gala was a wonderful occasion to distribute the honorary decorations and awards of the Polish Society of Veterinary Science to the distinguished persons.

Honorary decorations Pro Scientia Veterinaria Polona for outstanding lifelong scientific achievements contributing to raising the importance and prestige of Polish veterinary science were awarded to: Marek Niemiałakowski, Jacek Osek, Andrzej Posyniak, Józef Szarek and Bolesław Woytoń. Decorations for social and organizational activity for the benefit of the Polish Society of Veterinary Science were collected by: Roman kołacz,

Jan Twardoń and Marian Binek, and Doctors: Anna Bronicka, krystyna Lisowska, Agnieszka Świtalska, Andrzej Czerniawski, Andrzej Juchniewicz and Lesław Szabłowski. Decorations were also presented to the authors of three excellent books: Podstawy epidemiologii weterynaryjnej, Lekarze weterynarii podczas II wojny światowej and Mikologia weterynaryjna (The Basics of Veterinary Epidemiology, Veterinary Practitioners and World War II and Veterinary Mycology). Impressive was the number of awards and distinctions awarded for outstanding achievements in research.

Janusz Związek, the Chief Veterinary Officer, presented the awards of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to Professors Roman kołacz, Alina Wieliczko and Jan Twardoń. The badge for extraordinary contributions to the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences was presented by Rector Professor Roman kołacz to Professors Andrzej Koncicki and Stanisław Kondracki.

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The official opening was crowned with the screening of a movie about the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences and the lecture of an eminent Polish linguist Professor Jan Miodek entitled “The Animal in the Polish Language”. Then the audience enjoyed the performance of an operetta gala with soloists Monika Gruszczyńska, Łukasz Gaj and Witold Matuńka accompanied the Wrocław Chamber orchestra conducted by Alan Urbanek.

The total number of speeches delivered during the congress plenary meetings by numerous researchers from Poland and abroad was 700 (in 15 sections). The guests could also participate in several poster sessions.

on the opening day, the organizers wished the participants to engage in meritorious discussions providing inspiration for further research and interdisciplinary projects. What was especially highlighted was the fact that paying attention to the opinions of veterinary practitioners should be an absolute priority during the Congress, and that no questions communicated by them should be left unaddressed.

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