Together we can do more - the first debate | Gdańsk University of Technology

– This meeting shows that we want to cooperate and the debate shall help us answer the questions: where to and why? - said Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of Gdańsk University of Technology and Chairman of the Fahrenheit Union of Universities in his welcome speech. I am convinced of the values that join us and allow us to jointly change and shape the academic force of our region. Together we can do more: both in the sphere of values as well as in organizational terms. We wish to thank the Governor, the Marshal, and the Mayor, persons who manage our province and the city, both for the arrival and support of our idea.

Prof. Adriana Zeleska-Medynska from the University of Gdańsk, Director of the Fahrenheit Union of Universities, subsequently talked about the advantages resulting from the consolidation of the universities and about the initiatives that have already been started or are planned for the future as part of the Union work.

– The first year of activity of the Fahrenheit Union of Universities was very intensive, resulting in challenges and initiatives - said the Director of FarU. - I would like to remind you that the main goal of the Union is the consolidation of the three universities’ activities and preparation for possible federalization. Forming a federation means joint evaluation of our research units while maintaining complete autonomy of the federation members. It is a multistage process spread over a few years, and the consolidation will be successively implemented, in jointly defined areas.

Prof. Adriana Zaleska-Medynska also presented how the consolidation process will allow creating a strong academic center, recognizable in the country and the international arena.

– Based on expert analyses conducted by Elsevier, we already know that joining our activities would allow us to place the combined research unit in the third position in Poland as well as a high position in the group of 1000 best universities in the world. The prestige and higher position in rankings mean higher financing and better access to funds: e.g. grants based on algorithms, projects, and international funds, as well as better access to information or greater political influence through advisory bodies. It also denotes a higher level of attractiveness for the staff and the students - underlined the Union Director.

Joint projects implemented in the first year of the Union’s activity between the universities and in cooperation with local government authorities were also discussed during the debate. So far, an inventory of key research equipment and laboratories was conducted and currently, we are preparing a system that will make information about specialized equipment available to employees of our three universities, as well as external institutions. Additionally, the three universities and the Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway signed an agreement for developing analyses, expert opinions, and opinions for the purposes of the project titled "Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway - stage II". Under a common name, the Universities presented their scientific and research potential during the largest technology conference in Central and Eastern Europe - Infoshare.

Governor, Marshal and Vice-Mayor on the Fahrenheit University Union

In his speech, Dariusz Drelich, the Governor of Pomerania, addressed the academic community: Gdańsk University of Technology, the host of the meeting, the Medical University of Gdańsk and the University of Gdańsk, are the flagship of Pomerania. We are proud that these universities provide a high academic and didactic level. The Fahrenheit Universities Union project is an agreement of the Union, and our common intention is to look for solutions, activities and ideas that will further increase, strengthen and consolidate this common potential.

– The establishment of the Union is one of the most important events in the academic history of the city of Gdańsk, and it also opens the path to future federalization of the region's strongest universities – emphasized Mieczysław Struk, the Marshal of the Pomeranian Province. – I am convinced that thanks to such decisions, we will soon be able to compete with the best academic centers in Europe and in the world, whereas Pomerania will become an absolutely friendly and beautiful place for the younger and older to live in.

Alan Aleksandrowicz, the Vice-Mayor of Gdańsk, spoke about the benefits for the city resulting from the establishment and activities of the Union: – People and a dynamically developing economy are needed for the development of the agglomeration. The stronger the research center, the more we can visibly feel the positive effects. Metropolises currently compete fiercely both for employers and entrepreneurs, as well as for the inhabitants themselves. The combined forces of integrated universities will result in an influx of students as well as an increase in the transfer of knowledge and scientific achievements. This will affect the development of many important sectors of the economy. In this way, Gdańsk universities will have an impact on the entire socio-economic environment, as the world's largest universities do today.

Debate with the rectors of MUG, Gdańsk Tech and GU and the director of FarU.

In the second part of the meeting, the rectors of the three universities, Prof. Marcin Gruchała, Rector of MUG, Prof. Piotr Stepnowski, Rector of GU and Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of Gdańsk Tech, accompanied by Director of the Union, Prof. Adriana Zaleska-Medynska, participated in a debate conducted and moderated by Maciej Dzwonnik, spokesperson for Gdańsk Tech. They answered questions sent formerly in a special form by the representatives of the academic community and subsequently questions from the audience.

Earlier, the audience of the event were invited to an interactive quiz showing the moods and expectations regarding tightening of cooperation between universities. They were asked about the main expectations regarding the consolidation, but also about fears and types of tasks that should be carried out as priorities within the Union. The participants of the quiz considered, inter alia, the higher recognition of universities in the international arena and their ranking position as the greatest advantage. Loss of the identity of individual centers and the complexity of administrative procedures, however, were the concerns.

– Today, research is conducted in large multidisciplinary teams - emphasized Prof. Marcin Gruchała, Rector of MUG. –This is the only sensible direction for us and the consolidation process is therefore very much needed. The results of the survey that we have just conducted have shown us how important it is to create a strong, recognizable brand and integrate our activities. However, in order to create this strength, we must be together.

– We are reaching the point where the individual development of the university is simply getting exhausted - commented prof. Piotr Stepnowski, Rector of the University of Gdańsk. –Therefore, if we think about further development, this consolidation is simply necessary.

The Rectors also underlined that the academic community should not have concerns regarding losing identity and reduction of autonomy of individual universities. - It is our decision when and where we act as a Union, which does not influence our individual positions and autonomous self-determination - explains Prof. Piotr Stepnowski.

Future debates will take place at the Medical University of Gdańsk (18 November) and at the University of Gdańsk (9 December).