Ceremony of Signing and Laying the Foundation Stone for the Construction of the CK STOS Building

The signing and embedding of the foundation deed is one of the most important elements of any construction investment. Therefore, representatives of the government, local authorities, and university leadership took part in the ceremony at the construction site of the STOS PG Competence Center (Smart and Transdisciplinary knOwledge Services) on Traugutta Street in Gdańsk. Among the guests were, among others, the Pomeranian Voivode Dariusz Drelich, the Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship Mieczysław Struk, and the Vice President of Gdańsk Alan Aleksandrowicz. The host of the ceremony was Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of Gdańsk Tech.

– Our academic community is very proud of the facility being built here – said Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of Gdańsk Tech, during the ceremony. – It will serve future generations of Gdańsk Tech students and researchers in developing their competencies, elevate their scientific and research projects to a higher level, as well as benefit society and become a showcase of the dynamic development of Gdańsk and Pomerania. It will be one of the most modern IT centers in this part of Europe – he added.

– The importance of this ceremony is reflected in the acronym of the project: “STOS”. This word is associated with a large collection, and in this case, it refers to a data set – said Prof. Henryk Krawczyk, former Rector of Gdańsk Tech and initiator of the CK STOS construction. – Such data, from various fields, will be collected here and used to discover new, useful knowledge. CK STOS is a modern “gold mine”, open to ambitious and intelligent seekers, and the modern technical and IT infrastructure installed will serve to extract the hidden treasures of knowledge.

CK STOS for students, researchers, business, and society

The STOS PG Competence Center, being built on the university campus on Traugutta Street at a cost of nearly PLN 156 million, was designed by the Arch Deco architectural studio from Gdynia, and the construction works are carried out by the NDI company from Sopot.

– We are very pleased with the implementation of this investment – said Małgorzata Winiarek-Gajewska, President of the NDI Group. – We are a company from Pomerania and have many Gdańsk Tech graduates among our employees. I also belong to this group, and for all of us, the opportunity to carry out a project for our alma mater is a special honor and a source of satisfaction.

The CK STOS building will be an intelligent facility equipped with the latest generation of technical and network infrastructure. The most important element of the center will be the “bunker”, i.e., the server room, which is to meet the highest data security standards and will be equipped, among others, with a supercomputer.

CK STOS will be, among others, the new headquarters of the Tri-City Academic Computer Network and will create conditions for conducting research projects for the academic community in Pomerania. It will also assist companies and the socio-economic environment of the university in implementing large business undertakings. Responding to social needs, it will be used in scientific research in fields such as physics, chemistry, astronomy, biotechnology, or medicine, as well as in applied research aimed at the commercialization of science.

Construction of CK STOS on schedule

Despite unfavorable weather conditions, work at the CK STOS construction site is proceeding according to the adopted schedule.

– We are currently in the process of completing the building’s so-called shell – said Dominik Kardynał, construction manager from the NDI Group. – We have completed the excavation support structure and are installing sanitary and electrical systems. The lower foundation slab at level “-2”, walls, and ceilings above level “-1” are also completed, and we are currently constructing the ceilings at level “0”. This winter has not been kind to us, but despite that, we are managing to carry out almost all the planned work.

Currently, the builders are working on the structure of the deepest part of the building, i.e., the underground garages. In the coming weeks, the contractor plans to complete the last ceiling “0” over the garage section and will conduct further works planned in the construction schedule.

CK STOS built with EU funds

The investment, scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2022, costs PLN 155.7 million, of which PLN 90.1 million was covered by an EU grant under the European Regional Development Fund. It was obtained thanks to the involvement of the Marshal’s Office of the Pomeranian Voivodeship and Marshal Mieczysław Struk, as well as the Pomerania Development Agency. The university covers the remaining part almost entirely from its own funds, mainly generated by the TASK PG IT Center. The investment was also supported by additional funds from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (currently: Ministry of Education and Science).

The total project cost will exceed PLN 210 million – this results from the need to equip CK STOS with additional specialized equipment (including a supercomputer), which the university will gradually purchase and install in the facility.

About the STOS Competence Center:

Dariusz Drelich, Pomeranian Voivode: – The government led by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki focuses on innovative economic projects, whose implementation is possible thanks to the work of scientific staff and appropriate research infrastructure. The university that provides both personnel and the best tools for science, business, and the economy is Gdańsk Tech. I observe with satisfaction the implementation of this university project, which significantly raises its position, rank, and competitiveness.

Mieczysław Struk, Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship: – The priority goal of the regional government is the harmonious and dynamic development of the entire Pomerania region, and the construction of the STOS Competence Center at Gdańsk Tech aligns well with this idea. Launching this investment was a huge challenge for the university, which it managed to meet. I am convinced that CK STOS will bring a lot of new quality to Polish science and contribute to building Pomerania’s image as a strong scientific and academic center.

Alan Aleksandrowicz, Vice President of Gdańsk: – The excellence of a university is evidenced by its scientific achievements, academic staff, as well as the level of knowledge and competencies of its students and graduates. To continuously develop all these elements, appropriate scientific and research infrastructure is essential. The STOS Center will certainly enhance Gdańsk Tech’s competitiveness and attractiveness, which will translate into increased interest in the university and the influx of young and talented people to Gdańsk who, I hope, will connect permanently with our city.

Mariusz Miler, Chancellor of Gdańsk Tech: – The construction of CK STOS is a source of pride both for our academic community and for Gdańsk and Pomerania. The center will distinguish our university not only nationally but also internationally. Moreover, this is just one element of Gdańsk Tech’s investment offensive. Soon, construction will begin on the PG Eco-Innovation Center, which will be the only facility of its kind in Poland, and further plans include building a modern sports and entertainment hall and other facilities whose creation will support the development of Polish science.