Polish Nuclear Power Plants and FarU will educate staff for the nuclear power engineering sector | Gdańsk University of Technology

– Pomerania is the region where the first nuclear power plant in Poland will be built. Due to the size and importance of this strategic project, specialists from the Pomeranian region will find employment in it, both during the construction and subsequent operation of the power plant. Therefore, already at this stage of the investment project, the company is developing cooperation with key universities in Gdańsk, said Tomasz Stępień, president of Polish Nuclear Power Plants.

The signed agreement defines the framework for cooperation between Fahrenheit Universities (FarU) and Polish Nuclear Power Plants. It concerns such areas as, for example: development of fields of study related to nuclear energy, preparing students and graduates to enter the labor market in the power engineering sector, conducting selected educational classes for students by PEJ employees and co-organizing communication and information events and meetings for the development of a social dialogue platform.

– We are aware of the amount of work required to build and operate a nuclear power plant. Nuclear energy brings numerous benefits that should be created and used responsibly for the common benefit and broadly understood safety – said prof. Marcin Gruchała, PhD DSc, chairman of the Fahrenheit Union of Universities Assembly, rector of the Medical University of Gdańsk. – The knowledge and competences of specialists representing FarU member universities will provide the necessary support at every stage of this project which is so important for our region.

Competency hub

The nuclear power plant construction project is a long-term process involving many specialists and experts from various disciplines. Fahrenheit Universities have nearly 42,000 students and 3,800 academic staff. And the demand for high-class specialists in this sector will only grow - especially in the Pomeranian region due to the planned investment.

– Gdańsk University of Technology has many years of experience in educating personnel for the nuclear industry, hence we are now returning to the field of study called ‘nuclear energy’ – emphasized prof. Krzysztof Wilde, PhD, DSc, Eng., rector of Gdańsk University of Technology. – We also regularly open new research centers where our scientists carry out projects and expert opinions for companies from various industries, e.g. Offshore Wind Energy Center or Center for Hydrogen Technologies. We are currently preparing to open the GUT Nuclear Energy Center, thanks to which we will have an even greater impact on the economic development of our region.

As noted by Prof. Piotr Stepnowski, PhD, DSc, rector of the University of Gdańsk: - Modern nuclear energy is a low-emission, stable and safe source of energy. In the face of the global energy crisis, its presence, together with renewable energy sources, in the so-called energy mix becomes indispensable. However, introducing this type of power plant to our energy market requires thorough and responsible preparation. The fact that scientists and students from three FarU universities are involved in this project also demonstrates the growing importance of our cooperation within the Union of Fahrenheit Universities.

Fahrenheit Universities were established to make the best use of the resources and potential of the three universities that make it up. The main activities of the Union focus on developing solutions supporting joint scientific research and development work, as well as preparing recommendations for consolidation in order to create in the Pomerania region one of the strongest academic centers in the country.

– As Fahrenheit Universities, we have proven that integration on many levels is possible and brings many benefits. We want to do this also in this case - noted Marcin Jaskólski, PhD, Eng., deputy director of the Nuclear Energy Center of Gdańsk University of Technology, who gave a presentation on the potential of FarU as a partner supporting the project of building the first nuclear power plant in Poland.