We strive for the best. The 2021/2022 academic year is begun!

Date added: 2021-10-05

We strive for the best. The 2021/2022 academic year is begun!

prof. Krzysztof Wilde, rector of Gdańsk University of Technology and prof. Kazimierz Darowicki, who was awarded the title of "Personality of Gdańsk University of Technology"

In the picture: prof. Krzysztof Wilde, rector of Gdańsk University of Technology and prof. Kazimierz Darowicki, who was awarded the title of "Personality of Gdańsk University of Technology". Photo Krzysztof Krzempek / Gdańsk University of Technology

– Behind us there is the difficult time when you had to show great determination and creativity – so as to cope with unusual conditions for work and study. I hope that the new academic year will be easier for all of us, and you will be able to focus on your work and study here, within the walls of the University of Technology campus - said the rector, prof. Krzysztof Wilde at the beginning of the ceremonial session of the Senate of Gdańsk University of Technology inaugurating the academic year 2021/2022.

In his inaugural speech, which preceded the reading of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki's letter to the academic community, the rector emphasized that the last academic year was exceptional not only due to the unusual working and study conditions caused by the pandemic, but also due to the achievements of Gdańsk University of Technology, including the presence in the prestigious "Shanghai ranking" that lists 1000 of the best universities in the world, success in the Times Higher Education ranking and the highest position in the history of the university in the ranking of the "Perspektywy" foundation.

Referring to the implementation of the "Excellence Initiative - Research University" program, the rector spoke about the current and planned research programs, the activities of research centers, as well as two new research and implementation centers of Gdańsk Tech. He also reminded about the investments carried out by the university, including the construction of the STOS Competence Center and the Eco-innovation Center.

Prof. Krzysztof Wilde also spoke about the importance of developing the Fahrenheit Union of Universities together with the Medical University of Gdańsk and the University of Gdańsk.

– Thanks to the Association, we have a historic chance to be in the top three of the best and largest Polish universities: next to the Jagiellonian University and the University of Warsaw. This, in turn, will translate into higher recognition of academic Gdańsk both in Poland and abroad, as well as greater opportunities for development and obtaining funds – said the rector. - I would like to emphasize that the success of this project depends primarily on you and the common values that our academic communities represent.

The Rector also addressed directly the students to whom he appealed to vaccinate against Covid-19.

See the video

Medals and awards, matriculation of students

After the rector's speech, the Pomeranian Voivode Dariusz Drelich, on behalf of the President of the Republic of Poland, decorated Gdańsk Tech employees awarded with Medals for Long Service. The voivode also read the letter from Przemysław Czarnek, the minister of education and science, sharing the minister's wishes and wishing the students and employees of Gdańsk Tech success in the new academic year.

Then, the title of "Personality of Gdańsk University of Technology" was awarded to the distinguished scientist. This special distinction was given to prof. Kazimierz Darowicki "in recognition of the merits for the university in the field of progress, the development of science and technology, for outstanding and above-average scientific achievements in the field of corrosion and materials engineering, combined with extensive activity in the field of commercialization of scientific research results bringing tangible and significant effects in the economic field, as well as didactic activity serving the society. "

The interview with prof. Kazimierz Darowicki

In the next part of the ceremonial session of the GUT Senate, the deans' inaugural speeches in the form of a film were presented and students were matriculated. The oath was taken by the best newly admitted representatives of all eight faculties. Karolina Matuszewska, chairwoman of the Students' Self-Government of Gdańsk University of Technology, also took the floor. Then, the award for the best student of Gdańsk University of Technology was awarded to Marta Marszewska from the Faculty of Applied Physics and Mathematics.

Inaugural lecture entitled "Digital university management - between the utopia of freedom and the dystopia of power" was delivered by prof. Łukasz Sułkowski, head of the Department of Management of Higher Education Units at the Institute of Public Affairs of the Jagiellonian University and vice-rector for research and internationalization at the Social Academy of Sciences in Warsaw.

The musical side of the ceremony was taken care of by the Academic Choir of Gdańsk University of Technology under the direction of prof. Mariusz Mróz.