The Fahrenheit Union of Universities will cooperate with PKM | Gdańsk University of Technology

The agreement concerns the cooperation of the Fahrenheit Union of Universities (FarU) with PKM SA in the field of developing analyzes, expert opinions and reports for the implementation of the project entitled "Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway Stage II: Development of transport infrastructure in the southern part of the Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area, in connection with the regional railway network of the Pomeranian Voivodeship" (in short: PKM South) and projects constituting a continuation of this undertaking.

The cooperation agreement covers four main areas:

• Technical - giving opinions on proposed solutions in the field of shaping public space, indicating modern, innovative engineering solutions, carrying out scientific research and development works on the subject of the project.
• Social - supporting the project preparation process in terms of sustainable development and cooperation in creating a positive image of urban mobility in the field of collective transport.
• Pro-environmental - promoting the use of public transport as part of the implementation of the strategy for sustainable development of urban transport and the European Green Deal and support in the implementation of the EU policy in this area.
• Other activities in which knowledge transfer takes place - expert cooperation in the development and publication of opinions of representatives of scientific circles in specific thematic scopes of the project.

– It is very important to use the potential of our local government company also in this way - says Leszek Bonna, Deputy Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship. – In addition to infrastructure management and the implementation of subsequent investments, it is also worth remembering that PKM SA can share its vast experience with students. In a few or more years they will be working on new projects, the beneficiaries of which will be the inhabitants of Pomerania.

– Each of the three universities that are part of the Fahrenheit Union of Universities works hard every day to ensure that our graduates support efficiently and competently the economic development of Pomerania - says prof. Krzysztof Wilde, rector of Gdańsk University of Technology and chairman of the Assembly of Fahrenheit Universities. – The agreement we signed will allow our scientists, PhD students and students to work in many ways on one of the most ambitious communication projects to be implemented in our region in the coming years. We intend to actively support this project and exchange knowledge and experience with PKM experts.

– Our ambition is for the Fahrenheit Union of Universities to become a binder and distinguishing feature not only of our city and our universities, but of the entire Pomeranian region. Universities are the driving force of economy based on specialist knowledge and rich experience of members of their communities – emphasizes prof. Adriana Zaleska-Medynska, director of the Union. – We will try to use this experience during the construction of a new railway line in the region – this should allow for the introduction of innovative and environmentally friendly solutions in this investment. The construction site may also turn out to be an interesting testing ground for environmental research.

– The new PKM South project we are preparing requires an interdisciplinary approach so that the solutions used in it are fully correlated with the current state of science, which in turn will allow for the optimization of individual areas of our activities – adds Grzegorz Mocarski, president of PKM SA. – The agreement signed today is an opportunity for a mutual exchange of experiences and opinions. Both sides will benefit from it. Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway will have the opportunity to listen to the opinions on the PKM South project from a wide group of experts in various fields, while students and academics will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge in practice.

The Daniel Fahrenheit Union of Universities in Gdańsk (FarU) was founded in 2020 on the initiative of the rectors of the three largest universities in Gdańsk. Its goal is to build the position of Gdańsk as a strong academic center in the national and international arena, and to actively cooperate with the universities' social and economic environment.