Then Poznań University of Life Sciences (Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Poznaniu) is a leading university of life sciences in Poland. It may boast of rich traditions, as its beginnings date back to the year 1870 and are connected with the activity of an outstanding philosopher, a patron of agricultural science and education, August Cieszkowski. When the University of Poznań was established in 1919 after Poland regained its independence following First World War, the university comprised also the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, based partly on the traditions and scientific output of the Higher School of Agriculture in Żabikowo near Poznań.