Fahrenheit University Association. Virtual meeting of rectors with the minister | Gdańsk University of Technology

In the fall of last year, the Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk University of Technology and the University of Gdańsk established the Daniel Fahrenheit Association of Universities in Gdańsk. The main goal of its creation is the joint building of the leading position of Gdańsk as an academic center in Poland and abroad, and the initiators of the creation of the Association, i.e. the rectors of the above-mentioned academic centers, emphasized after establishing the cooperation that the Association opens the way to the future federalization of the strongest universities in the region.

– Through joint activities, we could belong to the strongest academic centers in Poland in the future - said prof. Krzysztof Wilde, rector of GUT and chairman of the University Association. - This would allow us to significantly increase the attractiveness and academic recognition of Gdańsk, as well as enable dynamic development and more effective acquisition of funds for research and teaching activities.

On Friday, Minister of Education and Science Przemysław Czarnek got acquainted with the vision of the development of the University Association and the closest activities in this area. The minister talked about it via a teleconference with the rectors: prof. Marcin Gruchała (MUG), prof. Krzysztof Wilde (GUT) and prof. Piotr Stepnowski (UG).

The Minister on the University Association: An ambitious and necessary undertaking

During the conversation, Minister Przemysław Czarnek and rectors of the leading universities in Pomerania discussed the assumptions of the Association's activities and the development prospects of the universities united in it. He also virtually handed over to the rectors a check confirming the co-financing of the Association's activities in the amount of PLN 2.98 million, which was obtained under the project ‘Supporting universities consolidation processes’ co-financed by the European Social Fund, implemented under the operational program ‘Knowledge, Education, Development’.

– Establishment of the Fahrenheit University Association in Gdańsk is an ambitious and necessary undertaking - said Minister Przemysław Czarnek during the meeting. - We intend to support the rectors of the MUG, GUT and UG in their pursuit of the main goal, which is the federalisation of the region's strongest universities. I am convinced that the establishment of the Association and close cooperation of three Gdańsk academic centers will translate into an improvement in the quality of Polish science and higher education.

– Establishing the Association of Universities with the largest academic centers in Pomerania is another important step on the way to strengthening the long-term, successful cooperation between UG, GUT and the MUG. - said prof. Marcin Gruchała, rector of the MUG. - I am convinced that by using our mutual potential more intensively and more effectively, we will soon be able to successfully compete with the best universities in Europe and around the world. We want to create an attractive place to work and study in Pomerania, offering scientists at every stage of their career friendly conditions for the development and implementation of their own aspirations.

– Plans for the development of cooperation between universities within the Association are wide and are going to touch upon many aspects - emphasized prof. Krzysztof Wilde, rector of GUT. - Our most important, common mission is to build a strong academic center in Gdańsk. We want to strengthen relations with industry and business, build the economic strength of Pomerania, help in solving the social problems of the region, and make the most talented high school graduates and young scientists choose Gdańsk as a suitable place to study and build a professional career.

– The conversation with the minister allows us to assume that the way in which Gdańsk universities carry out consolidation activities within the Association of Universities is not only approved by the ministry, but also aroused real interest - said prof. Piotr Stepnowski, rector of the University of Gdańsk. - I believe that the relationship created by our universities will be a model project for other universities in Poland.