Prof. Edmund Wittbrodt holds an honorary honoris causa doctorate from the University of Gdańsk | Gdańsk University of Technology

The honorary honoris causa doctorate, as part of the 50th anniversary of the University of Gdańsk, was awarded to the first democratically elected rectors of Gdańsk universities after the 1989 political changes in Poland: prof. Edmund Wittbrodt, rector of GUT in 1990-1996, prof. Stefan Angielski, rector of the Medical Academy in 1990-1993 and prof. Zbigniew Grzonka, rector of the University of Gdańsk in 1990-1996. As emphasized by the authorities of the University of Gdańsk, the act of granting honorary dignities to Senior Rectors has a symbolic dimension, related to the construction of a strong, integrated and competitive European academic center in Gdańsk.

Let us remind you that the Senate of the University of Gdańsk made the resolution on granting prof. Edmund Wittbrodt PhD, DSc, Eng. with the title of doctor honoris causa of the University of Gdańsk ‘for many years of public activity for Polish education and science and for undertaking activities integrating the Gdańsk academic community’ on 27 February 2020.

Clearly positive reviews in the procedure for awarding prof. Wittbrodt with the title of doctor honoris causa of the University of Gdańsk were prepared by prof. Michał Kleiber, prof. Józef Borzyszkowski and prof. Henryk Krawczyk.

The reviewers summarized, among others rich experience and achievements of the professor in the field of organization of science and higher education (including the position of rector of Gdańsk University of Technology for two terms, vice-chairman of the Central Council of Higher Education, minister of national education, co-founder of the National Accreditation Commission, chairman of the Conference of Rectors of Polish Technical Universities, expert of the Polish Space Agency, co-initiator and chairman of the Space Sciences Commission of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdańsk branch). They also emphasized the role of prof. Wittbrodt in integrating the Gdańsk academic community, which led, among others, to the creation of the Tri-City Academic Computer Network. They reminded his achievements for the University of Gdańsk. They also emphasized the achievements for Poland's membership in the European Union, including active participation in environmental debates preceding the referendum on Poland's accession to the European Union.

The reviewers also referred to the extensive public activity of prof. Wittbrodt (among others holding the position of a senator of the Republic of Poland for five terms, being a Member of the European Parliament, member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe), including many achievements for the city and the region (among others being the chairman of the Program Council of the Committee for the 1000th anniversary of the City of Gdańsk, president of the Kashubian-Pomeranian Association in 2016-2019).

The reviewers also pointed to the rich scientific achievements of prof. Wittbrodt (including 30 monographs and scripts, over 260 other original scientific publications and 115 scientific and research studies and expert opinions, participation in many national and international research projects), emphasizing that his rank is demonstrated, among others, by granting the professor the Jan Hevelius Scientific Award of the City of Gdańsk and many other awards.

Prof. Edmund Wittbrodt was awarded, among others: the Gold Medal of Merit for Gdańsk University of Technology, the Gold Medal of the University of Gdańsk, the Medal of the National Education Commission, the Gold Cross of Merit, the Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, the Grand Cross of Merit of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Middle Cross of the Hungarian Order.

Let us add that at Gdańsk University of Technology, prof. Edmund Wittbrodt is currently a professor at the Department of Mechanics and Mechatronics at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. He is also the rector's plenipotentiary for cooperation with ESA and POLSA. The professor's scientific profile can be found on the MOST Wiedzy website [here].

Recording of the broadcast of the celebration