On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, the management of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice ceremoniously opened the academic year 2025/2026 in the Auditorium of the Faculty of Medicine of UPJŠ in Košice. As is tradition, the program began, with a ceremonial speech by Prof. MUDr. Daniel Pella, PhD., Rector of UPJŠ, in which he emphasized the role of university education in the age of artificial intelligence and modern technologies. The program continued with the presentation of the Rector’s Awards in several categories.
Three laureates received the Rector’s Award for scientific contribution:
- RNDr. Martin Gmitra, PhD., university associate professor, for scientific contribution in the field of condensed matter theory and significant publishing activity,
- prof. Ing. Mária Mareková, CSc. for long-term excellent scientific and publishing activity in the field of research into biomarkers usable in clinical-biochemical diagnosis of diseases,
- doc. JUDr. Erik Štenpien, PhD. . for reconciling the views of legal historians from Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland in the field of interpreting the application and validity of controversial peace treaties from 1919–1920, particularly the Treaty of Trianon.
The Rector’s Award for Pedagogical Activity was presented to Prof. MUDr. Ingrid Hodorová, PhD. for her exceptional contribution in the field of higher education and continuing education..
Laureates awarded in the Doctoral Students category:
- MUDr. Tomáš Koky, PhD. for his significant publishing activity and active presentation of results at international scientific events for doctoral students,
- Mgr. Arina Skok, PhD. for her significant contribution to scientific research in the field of analytical chemistry and extensive publishing activity in renowned international journals,
- Mgr. Daniela Szabóová, PhD. for her extraordinary tenacity, precision, determination, and willingness to work and improve in modern techniques and methodology, as well as in the demanding educational part of her research.
A total of three teams were awarded in the Significant Media Achievement category:
- the staff of the UPJŠ Botanical Garden for their significant contribution to raising the profile of the UPJŠ Botanical Garden as part of the university in connection with promotional activities for its 75th anniversary,
- the team of the Student Legal Advice Center for the residents of Košice for significant media coverage of the center’s activities in digital and online media, which contributed to spreading the good name of UPJŠ among the residents of Košice,
- the editorial staff of Univerzál magazine for strengthening professionalism in print media, consolidating student life, and significantly representing UPJŠ in university magazine competitions.
For the third time in the history of UPJŠ, the Faiga Senderovitch Award was presented for a thesis contributing to the fight against anti-Semitism, Holocaust distortion, and right-wing extremism. The award went to Mgr. Tomáš Šeďo, PhD. for his dissertation on “Social factors of youth radicalization and the possibilities of social work in deradicalization.”
The deans also wished those present a successful academic year in their speeches. The program concluded with a performance by the university mixed choir Chorus Universitatis Šafarikianae, which enhanced the festive atmosphere with its artistic performance.
We wholeheartedly congratulate all the award winners. We wish the entire academic community every success in the new academic year 2025/2026!
