On 22 October, a ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation was held at Reduta Banku Polskiego in Warsaw, as one of the key events in this year’s centenary celebrations. The event brought together representatives of our business partners, public administration, the scientific community and participants of the IFAR Summit. Guests also included representatives of the Łukasiewicz Research Network and members of our Institute’s Council.
The ceremony opened with an address by Dr Habil. Eng. Cezary Szczepański, Director of Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation, who highlighted the significance of the centenary and the Institute’s longstanding contribution to the development of Poland’s aviation and space sectors. This was followed by a laudation delivered by Dr Hubert Cichocki, President of the Łukasiewicz Research Network, who reflected on the Institute’s century-long history and emphasised the importance of its achievements and the contributions of its employees.
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the presentation of the Honorary Badge of Merit for Civil Aviation to Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation. The distinction was presented by Dariusz Klimczak, Minister of Infrastructure, and accepted on behalf of the Institute by its Director, Dr Habil. Eng. Cezary Szczepański. Established in September 2026, the badge was awarded to the Institute as the first recipient.
Another significant moment of the evening was the reading of a letter from Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Minister of National Defence, by Lieutenant Colonel Dr Eng. Wojciech Prokopowicz. Representing Dr Eng. Marcin Kulasek, Minister of Science and Higher Education, Izabela Najda-Jędrzejewska, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, also addressed the audience. In her speech, she thanked the Institute’s employees for their dedication, emphasising that people — scientists, engineers and specialists — are the foundation of scientific progress and innovation.
