Poland’s Presidential Office mistakenly granted the title of professor to Maciej Chałubiński, a renowned allergist who died in August 2025, in February 2026.
Presidential Office Error: Title Awarded to Deceased Professor
The Presidential Office awarded the title of professor to Maciej Chałubiński, a respected allergist. The appointment was published in the “Monitor Polski” on February 18, 2026. However, Professor Chałubiński passed away in August 2025.
Decision Regarding Professorships in Medical Sciences
The decision concerned the awarding of professorships in medical sciences and health sciences. Maciej Chałubiński was among those honored, despite his death having been previously confirmed by the medical community and the Medical University of Łódź.
Posthumous Titles Prohibited
Current regulations prohibit the posthumous awarding of professorships. Therefore, the publication of such a decision constitutes a procedural error at some stage of the process.
Procedure for Awarding Professorships and Institutional Roles
The application for the title was submitted to the Presidential Office in 2025 by the Science Excellence Council. This body is responsible for evaluating the scientific achievements of candidates and recommending them for promotion.
Lack of Information Regarding Professor’s Death
The Presidential Office stated that it was not informed of Maciej Chałubiński’s death during the proceedings – neither by the Science Excellence Council nor by other institutions. Information about his death reached the office only after the decision was signed by the head of state.
Information Flow Issues Between Institutions
The case revealed a problem with the flow of information between institutions responsible for awarding scientific titles. The procedure, which often takes many months, requires continuous updating of candidate data. In this case, there was no effective verification mechanism at the final stage.
Unclear Responsibility for Death Notification
It is also not clearly defined which institution should formally communicate the death of a candidate and at what stage it should be considered.
Maciej Chałubiński’s Contributions to Allergology
Maciej Chałubiński was a recognized specialist in the field of allergology, internal medicine, and clinical immunology. He headed the Clinic of Immunology and Allergology at the Medical University of Łódź and was a member of the board of the Polish Allergological Society.
Corrective Actions and Potential Systemic Changes
The Presidential Office announced that it would take steps to correct the situation within the existing procedures. This practically means the need for a formal change or annulment of part of the decision. The case may have broader consequences for the entire system of awarding scientific titles, and additional control mechanisms may be necessary to avoid similar errors in the future.
