Collegium Maius

Not all universities can trace their lineage back to an order by the King. Granted a charter in 1611 by the Polish King Sigismund III Vasa, the City of Poznań gained its first educational centre, starting a long tradition of academic excellence continued today by the Poznan University of Medical Sciences.

Though that first college closed in the 18th century, its legacy continued with the founding of a new university in 1919. Coinciding with the independence of Poland following World War I, the university became renowned under the work of Florian Znaniecki, who established the school’s sociology department and would go on to teach at American universities such as Columbia and the University of Illinois.

Following a brief hiatus during German occupation in World War II, the university would return in 1945 after professors had met with students in secret for almost 5 years. With growing numbers, the university decided to split its medical school away from the university in 1950, creating Poznan University of Medical Sciences as it is known today. Working with other universities across Europe and the globe, PUMS has become internationally recognized, and one of the top medical schools in Poland.

With the grand forum of the Collegium Maius as their backdrop, medical students at the university continue a tradition set in motion centuries ago from the proclamation of Sigismund. If running late for class, however, they probably won’t get the royal treatment.