History

The first institution of higher learning in Poznań, was founded in 1519 by Bishop Jan Lubrański. Another institution of higher learning in Poznań was the Jesuit College, founded in 1573. Its founder and first rector was the reverend Jakub Wujek, author of a well-known Polish translation of the Bible. On October 28th, 1611, King Sigismund III Vasa granted the Jesuit College the status of a university. In 1772, Russia, Prussia and Austria accomplished the First Partition of Poland. The Academia was closed in 1773, following the annulment of the Jesuit Order.

Throughout the 123 years of the Prussian Partition, the idea of creating an institution of higher education in the Wielkopolska region had never vanished. Shortly after Poland had regained independence, on May 7th, 1919, the University, initially named the Piast University, officially inaugurated its activities. Dr Heliodor Święcicki was elected its first Rector. In 1920, the University changed its name to the University of Poznań. The University was organised into five faculties and offered academic education in the following disciplines: law, economy, medicine, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, agriculture and forestry.

During World War II, the Poznań University was closed, however the teachers and researchers did not stop working and organised the Underground University of Western Lands in Warsaw. Owing to their devotion and heroism about 2,000 students graduated from the Underground University. As the war drew to a close in February 1945, and while Poznań was still the scene of heavy fighting, the University was re-opened. In December 1955, it was named after great Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz.

The year 1989, the end of communism and the rapid growth of Poland's economy offered a great chance to Polish HEI. The number of AMU students grew from 13,000 in 1989 to 51,000 in the year 2005.