Long live science! 14 local universities celebrated the beginning of the academic year together | Gdańsk University of Technology

Long live science! event,  initiated by Fahrenheit Universities and organized together with the City of Gdańsk. gathered several hundred researchers, university staff and students. Among the guests of the march were the Pomeranian Voivode - Dariusz Drelich and Mayor of Gdańsk - Aleksandra Dulkiewicz. The purpose of the ceremonial parade down Długa Street was to manifest the unity of the academic community and show that cooperation between universities and researchers can produce many valuable results for the entire society, as well as promote Gdańsk as an academic city.

The parade was attended by representatives of 14 public and private universities from Gdańsk. Fahrenheit  Universities - the Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk University of Technology and the University of Gdańsk, were joined by representatives of Jędrzej Śniadecki Academy of Physical Education and Sport, the Academy of Fine Arts, Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music, WSB Universities, the Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management, College of Health, the Ateneum University, the Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology, the Social Economic Higher School, the Higher School of Safety and Gdańsk Theological Seminary.

Prof. Marcin Gruchała, the president of the Fahrenheit Union of Universities, the Rector of the Medical University of Gdańsk, spoke on behalf of the academic community.

– We want to manifest freedom and solidarity together, among the academic communities of Gdańsk universities, relatives and friends, as well as residents of Gdańsk, values like no other that are part of the beautiful tradition of our city. This synergy is extremely important. There is no truly academic city without strong universities, just as there are no strong universities without the support of the city and regional authorities – said Prof. Marcin Gruchała –The development of science is one of the foundations testifying to the international importance of Gdańsk. As representatives of the academic community, with the support of local authorities, we will make every effort to make the best use of our potential, knowledge, resources, and opportunities, and propose solutions to support joint scientific research and development work, serving not only the present but also future generations..

Scientists want to make Gdańsk attractive to researchers

One of the important points of the ceremony was the reading of the Gdańsk Declaration of Science in front of the Main City Hall.  The document was signed by 14 representatives of Gdańsk universities and proclaims, among others:

"We want to strive together to strengthen Gdansk’s position as one of the leading scientific centers in Europe and the world. We want to effectively use the research potential to achieve increasingly higher positions in international rankings, implement socially important research projects, and attract ambitious people of science from all over the world, who will find here the right conditions for further scientific development" 

Challenges for scientists

The academic community identified the following as key challenges for science: combating civilization diseases, developing modern technologies, supporting human development in all important areas, including effective assistance in strengthening democratic values.

We pledge to continue working to improve the living conditions of current and future generations, including by actively participating in the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the European Green Deal – we can read in the Gdańsk Declaration of Science.

According to the authorities of Gdańsk universities, these goals cannot be achieved without freedom of scientific research, not subject to ideological or administrative restrictions.

Gdańsk, named a city of freedom and solidarity, is a guarantor of the pursuit of truth for the scientific community – wrote the Rectors of the most important academic centers in the Declaration.

The Pomeranian voivode, Dariusz Drelich, who joined the parade, sent best wishes for the new academic year to the community of Gdańsk universities.

– The Medical University of Gdańsk, the University of Gdańsk and Gdańsk University of Technology that constitute the Fahrenheit Union of Universities are a community of great opportunities and scientific potential. Together and separately, they are excellent universities - research centers that face the present challenges, educate highly qualified staff, actively participate in the economic development of the region and, importantly, play a very important social and cultural role – underlined Dariusz Drelich. – Today, accompanied by the sound of "Gaudeamus igitur", we celebrate the beginning of the academic year together. I wish all students, lecturers and researchers to find answers to the questions posed by today's world. I hope new solutions and discoveries serve the general public. I am convinced that Poland will owe a lot to Fahrenheit Universities. Long live science!

Meeting of the Senates and Faculty Councils at ECS

The second part of the event was opened by the performance of the academic hymn Gaudeamus igitur, sung jointly by representatives of the choirs of the Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk University of Technology and the University of Gdańsk.

Meeting of the Senates and Faculty Councils of 14 universities in Gdańsk was an important point of the ceremony.

– Our voivodeship is one of the most dynamically developing regions in Poland - said Wiesław Byczkowski, Deputy Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship.–  We owe this dynamics to a large extent to Pomeranian universities, which regularly supply local companies and industry with properly educated and competent employees. However, we realize that this development must be even faster if we want to keep pace with the best. Therefore, we support the idea of federalizing the Fahrenheit University so that Pomerania will become a closely integrated, strong and internationally recognized academic center in the future.

The Mayor of Gdańsk drew attention to the growing role of Gdańsk among academic cities.

– Gdańsk is a sea of possibilities and one of the best places to live in Poland in all renowned rankings. Graduates of various fields of study offered by Gdańsk universities have the opportunity to take up a satisfactory job in recognized international corporations, and they can also spread their wings by starting their own business – said Mayor of Gdańsk, Aleksandra Dulkiewicz. – The local knowledge-based economy is the future. Therefore, I am very happy that our city is considered invariably popular among students, not only from Poland, but also from around the world. Simultaneously, Gdańsk is not only a great place for studying, but also for spending free time in, which is equally important for young people. Therefore, let us look forward to the upcoming new academic year!

The role of science in the life of the individual and the society was emphasized by Prof. Adriana Zaleska-Medynska, head of the Fahrenheit Union of Universities.

– On the threshold of the new academic year, it is worth remembering that the mission of science and universities is to serve the society. Scientific discoveries serve both our life needs, e.g. through the development of medicine or modern technologies, but also our cognitive and aesthetic needs, which are an expression of the creative side of every human being. The current challenges of modern science and education involve considering several different perspectives in this process: including external relations of the university, responsible, sustainable development and social inclusion – underlined Prof. Adriana Zaleska-Medynskahead of the Fahrenheit Union of Universities. – Today's opening of the academic year is a beautiful quintessence of our hitherto cooperation, as well as proof that we can create great things together and implement ambitious projects jointly,  bringing benefits to both the city of Gdańsk and the entire Pomeranian region..

Prof. Szymon Malinowski, director of the Institute of Geophysics at the University of Warsaw delivered an inspirational lecture entitled Climate crisis, planetary crisis. The ceremony was broadcasted and is available at www.gdansk.pl portal.

The ceremony was organized by Fahrenheit Universities together with the City of Gdańsk.

The event was held under the patronage: of the Mayor of the City of Gdańsk Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, the Governor of Pomerania Dariusz Drelich, and the Marshal of Pomorskie Voivodeship Mieczysław Struk. .

The organizers sincerely thank the Gdańsk Museum, the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk, and the Gdańsk City Guard for their cooperation.