The ceremony of signing the foundation act for the construction of the STOS GUT IT center | Gdańsk University of Technology

The signing and laying of the foundation act is one of the most important elements of each construction investment, hence the ceremony at the construction site of the STOS GUT Competence Center (Smart and Transdisciplinary knOwledge Services) at Traugutta Street in Gdańsk was attended by representatives of the government, local authorities and the university management. Among the guests there were: Pomeranian Voivode Dariusz Drelich, Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodship Mieczysław Struk and Deputy Mayor of Gdańsk Alan Aleksandrowicz. The host of the ceremony was prof. Krzysztof Wilde, rector of GUT.

– Our academic community is very proud of the facility that is being built here - said Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, rector of GUT. – It will serve future generations of GUT students and scientists in developing their competences, will raise their scientific and research projects to a higher level, and will serve the society. It will also be 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 abbreviation of the project name: ‘STOS’. This word is associated with a large collection, and in this case it is about a collection of data - said prof. Henryk Krawczyk, former rector of GUT and initiator of the construction of CC STOS. – This type of data, from various fields, will be collected here and used to discover new, useful knowledge. CC STOS is a modern ‘gold mine’, open to ambitious and intelligent prospectors, and the modern technical and IT infrastructure installed in it will serve to reveal the hidden treasures of knowledge.

CC STOS for students, scientists, business and society

The STOS GUT Competence Center, which costs nearly PLN 156 million, and is being built on the university campus at Traugutta Street, was designed by the Arch Deco architectural studio from Gdynia, and the Sopot-based company NDI is responsible for the construction works.

– 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 we have many GUT graduates among our employees. I also belong to this group and for all of us the possibility of implementing a project for our alma mater is a unique distinction and a reason for satisfaction.

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

CC STOS will include the new seat of the Tri-City Academic Computer Network and will create conditions for the implementation of research projects for the academic community in Pomerania. It will also support companies and the socio-economic environment of the university in the implementation of large business ventures. In order to meet social needs, it will be used in scientific research in the field of physics, chemistry, astronomy, biotechnology or medicine, as well as for implementation research for the commercialization of science.

Construction of CC STOS according to schedule

Works on the construction site of CC STOS, despite unfavorable weather conditions, take place according to the adopted schedule.

– We are in the process of performing the so-called building shell – says Dominik Kardynał, construction manager from the NDI group. – We have completed the excavation support, we also make sanitary and electrical installations. The lower foundation slab of the ‘-2’ level is also ready, as well as the walls and ceilings above the ‘-1’ level, and now we are working on the ‘0’ level ceilings. This year winter does not help us, but we manage to implement almost all the planned works.

Currently, builders are working on the construction of the deepest part of the building, i.e. underground garages. In the coming weeks, the contractor plans to build the last ‘0’ ceiling above the garage part and will carry out further works planned in the construction schedule.

CC STOS is created thanks to funds from the EU

The cost of the investment, which will be completed in the first half of 2022, is PLN 155.7 million - 90.1 million of which was covered by an EU subsidy under the European Regional Development Fund. It was obtained thanks to the involvement of the Pomeranian Voivodeship Marshal's Office and Marshal Mieczysław Struk and the Pomeranian Development Agency. The remaining amount is covered almost entirely by the university from its own funds, generated mainly by the TASK GUT 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 cost of the project will exceed PLN 210 million - this is due to the need to equip CC STOS with additional, specialized devices (including a supercomputer), which the university will successively purchase and install in the facility.

About the STOS Competence Center:

Dariusz Drelich, Pomeranian Voivode: - The government of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki focuses on innovative economic projects, the implementation of which is possible thanks to the work of scientific staff and appropriate research infrastructure. Gdańsk University of Technology is a university that provides both staff and the best tools for science, business and economy. I am observing with satisfaction the implementation of this university project, which significantly increases its position, rank and competitiveness.

Mieczysław Struk, marshal of the Pomeranian voivodeship: - The priority goal of the voivodship self-government is the harmonious and dynamic development of the entire Pomeranian region, and the construction of the STOS Competence Center at Gdańsk University of Technology successfully fits in with this idea. The launch of this investment was a huge challenge for the university, which, however, was successfully overcome. I am convinced that CC STOS will bring a lot of new quality to Polish science and will contribute to building the image of Pomerania as a strong scientific and academic center.

Alan Aleksandrowicz, Deputy Mayor of Gdańsk: - The excellence of the university is demonstrated by its scientific achievements, research and teaching staff, as well as the level of knowledge and competence of students and graduates. For all these elements to be constantly developed, an appropriate scientific and research infrastructure is necessary. The STOS Center will certainly increase the competitiveness and attractiveness of GUT, which will translate into an increased interest in the university and an influx of young and talented people to Gdańsk, who, I hope, will be permanently connected with our city.

Mariusz Miler, Chancellor of t Gdańsk University of Technology: - The construction of the CC STOS is a reason to be proud of both our academic community, as well as Gdańsk and Pomerania. The center will distinguish our university not only on a national but also international scale. Moreover, it is only one of the many elements of the Gdańsk University of Technology investment offensive. Soon, the construction of the GUT Eco-innovation Center will begin, which will be the only facility of this type in Poland. Further plans include also the construction of a modern sports and entertainment hall and other facilities to support the development of Polish science.