On November 15, 2023, Przemysław Czarnek, the minister of Education and Science, presented the “Sapientia et Veritas” medals. The medals are awarded for special contributions to higher education and science, including outstanding scientific, teaching, or organizational achievements. This year, during the ceremony in the Ministry of Education and Science headquarters, the Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing was honored with a Golden Medal “Sapientia et Veritas – wisdom and truth.”
— It was customary for the Commission of National Education Medal to be awarded not only to people from the education field but also to scientists. This medal has always been and still is of great value, and we will not cease to present it. However, we decided to establish a new award recognizing special contributions to Polish science, hence the Medal “Sapientia et Veritas – wisdom and truth.”. Because the pursuit of the truth is what lies at the core of science. If science were to be something that does not lead to the truth or get in the way of discovering it, it would be no science at all — said the minister during the ceremony.
The Minister of Education and Science noted that the awardees are prominent scientists and specialists from different fields. — Today, we have among us many eminent representatives of the scientific community who have widely contributed to helping society discover the truth. Your scientific achievements aim precisely at this goal and fulfill this task — added the minister.
It is worth mentioning that this medal, awarded for outstanding scientific, teaching, or organizational achievements, is yet another one granted to our representatives by the Ministry. This year, during a “Science for the Society” Congress, professor Henryk Skarżyński was given a Golden Medal, and professor Piotr H. Skarżyński – a Silver one.
The “Sapientia et Veritas” Medal for great contributions to Polish science comes in three levels – a golden, silver, and bronze one, allowing one to honor the candidate according to their merits or achievements. It can be awarded to people of merit in science and higher education, including those without Polish citizenship, universities, foundations, research institutes, and associations.