Doctoral Students' Government of Gdańsk Tech awarded in the ProDok 2024 competition
The gala of the ProDok 2024 Doctoral Environment Competition, which awards the best pre-doctoral initiatives, has concluded. Among the laureates was also Gdańsk Tech. The doctoral student government of our university won in the category "Open to the World".
The gala of the ProDok 2024 Doctoral Environment Competition, which awards the best pre-doctoral initiatives, has concluded. Among the laureates was also Gdańsk Tech. The doctoral student government of our university won in the category "Open to the World".
The ProDok 2024 Doctoral Community Competition – organized by the National Representation of Doctoral Students – aims to foster a collegial, pro-development rivalry among doctoral student governments from universities across the country. The event also provides an opportunity to review community initiatives and to recognize inspiring activities.
Almost 100 diverse initiatives were submitted for this year’s edition of the competition. The best of these – in seven categories – were chosen through voting by members of doctoral student governments from all over Poland.
The laureates included representatives from our university as well. The Doctoral Student Government of Gdańsk Tech was recognized in the “Open to the World” category, which evaluates the extent of support for mobility and internationalization at the university running the doctoral school.
At the Doctoral Schools of Gdańsk Tech, 450 people are enrolled, of whom one-third are international doctoral candidates.
– Achieving such a level of internationalization was made possible, among other things, by offering education in English, attractive scholarship programs, and high-standard dormitory accommodations – says M.Sc. Eng. Ignacy Rogoń, Chair of the Doctoral Student Government at Gdańsk Tech. – The cultural diversity of our government members creates numerous opportunities while also bringing many new challenges. Together we form one community, care for each other, and support one another. Our university runs many programs supporting internationalization. Visiting scholars from top universities are invited for study visits, international research teams are formed, and activities aimed at obtaining international patent protection are supported – he adds.
Integration and Multidimensional Support
The PhD Student Council (SDPG) conducts its meetings in English and actively collaborates with international doctoral candidates. In the 2024-2026 term, eight foreigners sit on the council. They actively engage in university life, supporting newly admitted doctoral students and participating in the organization of events such as PhD Open at Gdańsk Tech, Winter Poster Session, Christmas Party, and Cultural Day. Gdańsk Tech doctoral students also represent the university internationally at top research centers. The best international doctoral candidates graduating from the Gdańsk Tech Doctoral School have the opportunity to obtain employment at the university, a benefit they eagerly take advantage of.
The student government council also has a grant program for scientific events. In the 2023/2024 academic year, more than PLN 150,000 was allocated thanks to these initiatives, enabling over 80 individuals to attend scientific conferences. The Gdańsk Tech Doctoral School regularly obtains funding from the NAWA agency. Under the STER program – “Gdańsk Tech Doctoral School Closer to Europe” – 20 individuals were awarded six-month scholarships amounting to PLN 3,000 per month. Additionally, nine individuals received three-month mobility scholarships covering travel and living expenses based on lump sum rates, as well as a fixed amount of PLN 5,000 for settlement costs.
University Supporting Doctoral Candidates
As a Research University, Gdańsk Tech offers numerous programs supporting internationalization. The Polonium program aims to increase the university’s effectiveness in attracting the most talented candidates from outside Poland to study at Gdańsk Tech Doctoral School—all first-year doctoral candidates receive an additional scholarship of PLN 2,500. Thanks to the Einsteinium program, scholars from leading universities are invited for study visits. The Aurum program promotes the formation of new research teams led by Gdańsk Tech scientists, involving foreign researchers. Also worth mentioning are the Titanium and Molybdenum programs. The former provides funding to cover activities aimed at obtaining or extending international legal protection for inventions. The latter program supports academic entrepreneurship, particularly initiatives based on research results.
Furthermore, Gdańsk Tech secured nearly PLN 1.7 million from FERS for the development of teaching staff and doctoral students’ competencies.
The Welcome Office university committee also supports the development of third-cycle students – it is a center providing comprehensive services for employees, guests, doctoral students, and international students. In addition, as a result of cooperation between SDPG and the university’s Foreign Language Center, international doctoral candidates can benefit from free Polish language courses.