Although the Nicolaus Copernicus University was founded in 1945, the scientific traditions in Toruń date back to the period of the Renaissance when an Academic Gymnasium was set up in our town. In 1945, thanks to the efforts of professors from the disestablished Polish universities in Vilnius and Lvov, the Nicolaus Copernicus University was in a position to inaugurate its activities with four faculties: the Faculty of Humanities, the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, the Faculty of Law and Economy, and the Faculty of Fine Arts. At that time the staff was composed of 60 professors and 69 service workers. Roughly 1,600 candidates enrolled for the first year of studies. The organiser and the first Rector of NCU was Professor Ludwik Kolankowski.
Nowadays, the academic community of the university comprises over 46,000 people. There are about 35,000 students studying in 15 faculties offering over 60 different courses of study and about 50 postgraduate studies. Among the 4,360 employees there are 2,170 academic teachers, of whom over 600 are professors and 1000 are PhDs. The granting of doctoral degrees is possible in 25 disciplines, whereas postdoctoral degrees may be conferred in 21 disciplines. Every year ca. 10,000 students are admited for studies at NCU. Until now the University has awarded over 100,000 diplomas in higher education.
In October 2004, a fusion of two universities: the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń and the Ludwik Rydygier Medical University in Bydgoszcz took place. Due to such union, one university with two campuses located in respective towns was founded.
The Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz has currently about 4,000 students who have access to the well-equipped student laboratories, Main Library, reading rooms, study rooms and a bookshop. This well-known centre for medical education provides courses at 3 faculties, 11 departments and 6 specialisations.
AUTHORITIES
The highest university authorities are:
- Rector Magnificus
- Vice-Rector for Education
- Vice-Rector for Research and International Relations
- Vice-Rector for Economics and Development
- Vice-Rector for Students Affairs
- Vice-Rector for Collegium Medicum
- The Senate
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
The Nicolaus Copernicus University has formed educational links with a great number of universities abroad. There are 45 bilateral agreements with universities in Western and Eastern Europe, as well as in the USA. Bilateral agreements, individual visits of foreign professors and students, academic trips of NCU staff members, as well as international academic publications are managed by the International Relations Office.
The NCU cooperates with about 200 partner institutions within the ERASMUS Programme, due to which every year more and more international students culturally enrich our academic community. ERASMUS activities are coordinated by the International Programmes Office.
DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL MOBILITY
Department of International Partnerships and Educational Mobility is the focal point for international activities at the Nicolaus Copernicus University. Its main task is to support its authorities in the development and improvement of international cooperation mainly by the participation in the European initiatives: educational programmes (ERASMUS+, LEONARDO da VINCI, TEMPUS).