A chance to be competitive. Second FarU debate | Gdańsk University of Technology

– It is impossible to carry out such a large project without the support of the entire academic community - began the Rector of the MUG, prof. Marcin Gruchała. – Our goal is to achieve federalization while maintaining the total autonomy of universities. Today we have a chance to be competitive and act together under one banner.

The FarU director prof. Adriana Zaleska-Medynska emphasized the involvement of a large number of employees in the activities of the Union, and presented the undertaken and planned initiatives, including training, cooperation with local authorities and an integration of key research equipment with the information sharing system. The professor also discussed cooperation with the Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway and the Gdańsk Economic Development Agency. She also presented the inter-university mail system which, as she emphasized, was created thanks to a simple adaptation of the already existing system.

– The main goal of the Fahrenheit Union of Universities is to prepare the member universities for federalization – said prof. Adriana Zaleska-Medynska, director of FarU. – A simple union would allow us to be among the 1000 best universities in the world. So far, 21 teams have been appointed to develop a correlated action program. In the last year, joint training sessions were held, which allows to reduce the costs of the Union's activities and strengthen cooperation between universities. We also had a successful conference debut and for the first time we showed our common potential at the largest technology conference in Central and Eastern Europe - Infoshare.

On behalf of the MUG, prof. Michał Markuszewski, who presented the processes of consolidation of various types of academic institutions carried out so far. The MUG's vice-rector for science discussed the consolidation process of three Gdańsk universities and the expectations related to such initiatives.

– Our universities are only a few kilometers apart and it seems natural to strengthen the existing cooperation. It has been well documented over the past 20 years. Scientists need it and want to work together - said Prof. Michał Markuszewski. – These activities can also bring didactic benefits, and can also be profitable for the local community – added the MUG Rector's Plenipotentiary for the Union of Universities in Gdańsk, discussing the creation of inter-university study programs.

Representatives of local authorities about the Fahrenheit Union of Universities

Leszek Bonna, Deputy Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship and PhD Jerzy Karpiński, Director of the Health Department of the Pomeranian Voivodeship Office presented the position of the local government authorities towards the establishment of FarU, declaring their readiness for further cooperation and implementation of various initiatives.

– I believe that the establishment of the Fahrenheit Union of Universities is the most important event of the last year on the academic map of not only Gdańsk, but the entire Pomerania. The last debate showed how strong is the expectation of creating a recognizable brand. In the 2021-2027 perspective, we want to stimulate innovative and research and development activities. We want to focus on a low-carbon economy based on green technologies, digitization, automation and artificial intelligence. I cannot imagine achieving the set goals without close cooperation with universities - said Leszek Bonna.

– On behalf of the Pomeranian Voivode, I express my deep gratitude for the initiative taken. The voivode appreciates the cooperation with universities and expresses admiration for the effort made - added Dr. Jerzy Karpiński.

Debate with Rectors of the MUG, Gdańsk Tech and UG and the Director of FarU

The second part of the meeting was devoted to answering questions asked by viewers - both those gathered in the room and those who sent them using the form prepared for this purpose. The answers were provided by the rectors of three universities: prof. Marcin Gruchała, rector of the MUG, prof. Piotr Stepnowski, Rector of the University of Gdańsk and prof. Krzysztof Wilde, rector of Gdańsk Tech, together with the director of the Union, prof. Adriana Zaleska-Medynska, and PhD Joanna Śliwińska, the MUG's spokesperson, chaired and moderated the debate. The interactive quiz, conducted as in the previous meeting, made it possible to show the unchanging expectations of members of the academic community towards university consolidation. However, compared to the meeting that took place at Gdańsk University of Technology, there was a visible change in the accompanying fears. The anxiety of the possible loss of identity of individual centers was replaced by the fear of high costs of financing the consolidation activities. The questions asked to the Union's authorities concerned, first of all, the future principles of the FarU's functioning and the activities of its centers for its benefit.

– What is happening, the fact that we meet more and more often and have the opportunity to interact, results in joint research projects and I am convinced that it will result in joint didactic activities as well. It is inevitable and it is only natural – pointed out prof. Marcin Gruchała, Rector of the MUG.

The rectors also emphasized that all institutions included in the target federation would retain their autonomy.

– A union is being established, which is a new entity and to which we can, but do not have to, delegate various competences. Everything will be done by consensus. The target model is to create an entity that will present three universities on the international market in the most effective way - explained rector Krzysztof Wilde.

– We have a huge logistic task ahead of us to detail the regulations – commented prof. Piotr Stepnowski, rector of the University of Gdańsk. – Another issue is inter-university cooperation. I will refer to the Inter-university Research Agendas, which would not exist without the significant cooperation with the MUG and Gdańsk Tech.