INTERVIEW
WITH THE RECTOR
Mr. Jóźwik, how do you, as
the Rector of Lodz University
of Technology, look back on
the whole experience of the
European Universities Games
2022?The experience of organizing
the European Universities
Games 2022 was great for Lodz
University of Technology. Firstly,
the EUG is a very big event, so it
was a time for development for
our staff, aided by cooperation
with the EUSA Office. We are
currently collaborating with
some members of the EUG
Team while implementing new
projects. An event like this is
also of an important in making
even more of our students
interested in academic sport. I
am convinced that interest in
sports units is going to soar in
the current academic year and
that we will benefit from the
experience of hosting the EUG
while organizing future events.
I am proud of Lodz University
of Technology and its staff for
organizing such a great event.What made the University to
decide to take the leading role
and to give big support in the
project, in cooperation with
other key partners?Lodz University of Technology
has a long-standing tradition
of supporting student athletes.
We have organized the Polish
Academic Championships or the
World University Championships
many times. The EUG was
another step in developing
our university’s organizational
potential. We have a very
good sports infrastructure
and a large accommodation
base. This constitutes a
good basis for being a leader
in the organization of the
EUG. I am very pleased with
exemplary cooperation with
the co-organizers, among
which the University Sports
Association and the City of
Lodz played a key role. I am
also really satisfied with close
collaboration with the University
of Lodz, the Marshal’s Office of
Lodz and the Ministry of Science
and Higher Education. Their
support was very strong. Good
cooperation is the key to state-
of-the-art organization of the
European Universities Games.We know that you were
present at the matches and
award ceremonies, how will
you describe the atmosphere
of it?The atmosphere was great.
For me, the factors that
created it were the high skills,
commitment, will to win
whilst respecting the opponent
and unadulterated joy of the
participants that I experienced
during all EUG competitions.
At the same time, there were
moments of student frenzy
and immense joy. There were
also tears of sadness after
defeat, but we must understand
that this is what the life of an
athlete is about. It was a great
honour for me to participate in
medal ceremonies. All in all, the
atmosphere was wonderful and
unique, I think.Did you have the chance to
attend other activities, like
workshops, educational
programmes?My goal was mainly to attend as
many sports events as possible
and I managed to cover almost
all the sport disciplines. Of
course, I also participated in side
events, such as the Erasmus
Run. We also held educational
events and workshops. I did
not have the opportunity to
participate in these, but I know
about activities on the campus
in which volunteers and athletes
participated. I am glad that the
European Universities Games
2022 were not only a sports
event, but also encompassed
a range of other interesting
activities that provided the
participants and volunteers with
an opportunity for development.Which elements of the Games
did you like the most?The most impressive thing for
me was the opening ceremony,
of course. The parade of all the
athletes was magnificent and
I will remember it for the rest
of my life. I think the artistic
programme combined with a
presentation of videos related
to Poland, higher education,
and academic sport, made an
impression on everyone present
at the opening ceremony. The
3x3 basketball competition willEUROPEAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS ASSOCIATION YEAR MAGAZINE 2022-23^56
- EUG BEYOND SPORT