The official inauguration of the International Security and Development (ISAD) programme took place in Collegium Maius on 11th October 2018. ISAD is an international MA programme run at the Institute of Political Science and International Relations (IPS&IR) since the 2018/2019 academic year, thanks to the financial support of the European Union (Operational Programme Knowledge, Education, Development).

The official inauguration of the International Security and Development (ISAD) programme took place in Collegium Maius on 11th October 2018. ISAD is an international MA programme run at the Institute of Political Science and International Relations (IPS&IR) since the 2018/2019 academic year, thanks to the financial support of the European Union (Operational Programme Knowledge, Education, Development).

The Ceremony was opened by Marcin Grabowski, PhD, Director of the MA in ISAD Programme. He welcomed Professor Stanisław Kistryn, PhD, Vice-Rector for Research and Structural Funds of the Jagiellonian University, Prof. Andrzej Mania, PhD, Chairman of the ISAD Programme Board, Professor Paweł Laidler, PhD, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of International and Political Studies for Educational Affairs, Professor Robert Klosowicz, PhD, Director of the Institute of Political Science and International Relations, ISAD lecturers and numerous students of the programme.

Afterwards, short speeches were delivered by the Vice-Rector, the Chairman of the ISAD Council and the Vice-Dean authorities. They welcomed ISAD students at the Jagiellonian University, wishing them much success and joy during their time spent at the oldest university in Poland.

The official part of the ceremony was concluded by an inaugural lecture entitled The Influence of Special Operations on International Relations delivered by Colonel Piotr Gąstał, former commander of the Special Military Unit GROM. The topic of the lecture was well adapted to the overall focus of the ISAD programme, emphasizing links between military security and development. After the lecture, a question-and-answer session took place.

The second part of the inauguration was of an informative and integrating character. Firstly, a short presentation was given by a representative of the JU’s Association of International and Area Studies (AIAS), who invited ISAD students to cooperate and become involved in common projects. The meeting concluded with a Q&A session conducted by Marcin Grabowski, PhD.

International Security and Development is an international MA programme aimed at educating specialists in the field of global security and developmental cooperation. It responds to the need for in-depth reflection on the complexities of the interrelation between security and development. This programme proved attractive, as evidenced by over 100 applications from candidates from more than 30 countries. Among them, 46 have started their studies at the Jagiellonian University.

Photos by Samuel Marcourt & Anna Wojnar.