Poland's science minister suspends UKEN rector Piotr Borek after court reversal

Ministerial suspension and court ruling

Poland's Minister of Science and Higher Education Marcin Kulasek suspended Professor Piotr Borek from his duties as rector of the University of the National Education Commission in Krakow on 30 September 2026. The suspension followed a decision by the Voivodship Administrative Court in Warsaw on 29 September 2026 that overturned the minister's earlier dismissal of Borek. In its oral motives, the court stated that regulatory violations had occurred but classified them as ordinary rather than severe breaches. The science ministry announced the supervisory suspension on social media platform X after submitting a formal request to the university's electoral college. Ministry officials stated that the intervention was required to maintain operational stability and undisturbed governance at the Krakow institution while the ruling remains subject to appeal.

Legal dispute over labor violations

The conflict originated in November 2025 when Kulasek removed Borek from office following allegations of labor law violations, including the termination of employment contracts while staff members were on statutory leave. The ministry supported its initial disciplinary action with evaluations from the General Council for Science and Higher Education and the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland. The ministry continues to reject the administrative court's assessment regarding the severity of the infractions.

The minister consistently maintains that the established violations of legal provisions committed by Professor Borek as rector of UKEN were gross and persistent.

Professor Borek rejected all accusations and maintained that the staff terminations formed part of a lawful structural reorganisation. Speaking after the court overturned his removal, Borek described the three-judge panel's legal reasoning as decisive against the ministry's claims.

The court clearly stated that during the restructuring and the 5% staff reduction over approximately a year and a half, I did not commit persistent and gross violations of labor law.

University administration and interim leadership

Following the suspension order, the science ministry confirmed that dr hab. Wojciech Bąk will continue as acting rector of UKEN. Bąk, the eldest member of the university senate, previously assumed leadership duties in November 2025 after Borek's initial dismissal. The ministry stated that supervisory oversight remains in effect regardless of future appeals until the court judgment becomes legally binding. Borek noted that the contested administrative measures involved 81 employment termination decisions during restructuring and several subsequent compensation payments ordered by labor courts.

Campus divisions and legal actions

The governance dispute has divided academic personnel and trade union representatives at the Krakow institution. Members of the Inicjatywa Pracownicza trade union accused Borek of harsh management practices and pointed to the dismissal of more than 100 staff members during his prior term, alongside allegations of political subservience to the United Right coalition. Several former employees secured favorable rulings in Polish labor courts following wrongful dismissal claims. In contrast, members of the university's rectoral college supported Borek and praised his financial management during university difficulties. Borek stated that his legal advisors have encouraged him to prepare a civil lawsuit against Kulasek alleging discrimination and unequal treatment throughout the disciplinary process.