Meeting of the Council of Rectors of the Pomerania Voivodeship marked by the EU funds | Gdańsk University of Technology

The guests of the meeting were representatives of the Marshal's Office - Adam Mikołajczyk, director of the Department of Regional and Spatial Development, Stanisław Szultka, director of the Department of Economic Development, Ludwik Szakiel, his deputy, and Małgorzata Sobolew from the Department of Regional and Spatial Development. The meeting was also attended by prof. Adriana Zaleska-Medynska, director of the Daniel Fahrenheit Union of Universities in Gdańsk.

Director Adam Mikołajczyk presented the planned allocation of the European Funds for Pomerania (EFP) in the new 2021-2027 perspective, primarily as part of the Regional Operational Program. The new distribution of European subsidies focuses mainly on the development of the SME sector - small and medium-sized enterprises, especially those operating within Smart Specializations.

After the presentation, the areas of support under the European Funds and a limited offer that universities can use were discussed. The rectors made a number of suggestions regarding the correction of the distribution of EFP subsidies.

Then Ludwik Szakiel from DED summed up the implementation of the completed project "Study in Pomorskie" - which was carried out jointly with the Marshal's Office from 2017 to 2020 by eight Pomeranian universities, including Gdańsk University of Technology. Its aim was to support activities aimed at the internationalization of Pomeranian academic centers and improving the competitiveness of universities and the region. The joint action of the local government and universities contributed to increase the number of foreign students and students from outside the Pomeranian Voivodeship studying at Pomeranian universities, retaining Pomeranian secondary school graduates at regional universities, creating a joint, coordinated and effective promotion of Pomeranian universities in the field of teaching and non-teaching offer.

The Council of Rectors made a decision about the need to continue and intensify these activities and to obtain financial support for this purpose also from EU funds. A preliminary declaration was agreed on the establishment of an association that would include the local government and universities. The planned date of establishing such an association is May-June 2022.

The last part of the meeting was devoted to discussing current issues and joint activities in the new academic year.