Gryf Pomorski (Pomeranian Griffin) for prof. Edmund Wittbrodt | Gdańsk University of Technology

The statuette commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Pomeranian Voivodeship Self-Government, which changed Pomerania and its importance in Poland and the united Europe. The prizewinner received it from Mieczysław Struk, Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, and Jan Kleinszmidt, chairman of the Pomeranian Voivodeship Assembly.

The award was presented during the jubilee gala on the occasion of the quarter-century of the voivodeship's government, which took place on 14 October at the Baltic Opera. It was also an opportunity to judge the eighth edition of the "Pomeranian Teacher of the Year 2023" competition.

Gryf Pomorski was awarded to 41 people, including former ministers of national education. Apart from prof. Edmund Wittbrodt awards were also given to Katarzyna Hall and Franciszek Potulski.

– These are people with extremely rich professional achievements. People who made an outstanding contribution to shaping the state's educational policy, to the transformation of the school system and to shaping educational pluralism. Thus, they contributed to the unprecedented success of local government education. These are also people who, as directors and teachers, have inextricably linked their profession with fulfilling a special social mission, i.e. preparing the young generation who will be able to consciously take responsibility for the future of our region and our country - said Marshal Mieczysław Struk during the gala.

Prof. Edmund Wittbrodt is Honorary Professor Emeritus at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology. He was vice-dean for education (1984-1987) and dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (1987-1990), and then for two terms, rector of Gdańsk University of Technology (1990-1996). He chaired the council of rectors of Pomeranian universities (1990-1996) and the Conference of Rectors of Polish Technical Universities (1993-1996). He was vice-chairman of the Central Council of Higher Education (1996-1999). In the government of Jerzy Buzek, he served as Minister of National Education (2000-2001). He was a senator of the Republic of Poland for five terms (1997-2015). He was also a member of the European Convention preparing the Lisbon Treaty (2002-2003).

He chaired the Chapter for Honorary Titles of Professor of Education operating at the Minister of National Education (2008-2014).