The development of Gdańsk Tech starts with people. We have just had the inauguration of the 2026/2027 academic year.
On Friday, October 2, 2026, the solemn inauguration of the 2026/2027 academic year took place in the Aula of the Main Building of Gdańsk Tech. The event was attended by representatives of the university authorities, the academic community, invited guests, and students. One of the most important moments of the ceremony was the awarding of the honorary doctorate of Gdańsk Tech to Professor Gregory A. Worrell, a physician and physicist, Professor of Neurology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.
On Friday, October 2, 2026, the solemn inauguration of the 2026/2027 academic year took place in the Aula of the Main Building of Gdańsk Tech. The event was attended by representatives of the university authorities, the academic community, invited guests, and students. One of the most important moments of the ceremony was the awarding of the honorary doctorate of Gdańsk Tech to Professor Gregory A. Worrell, a physician and physicist, Professor of Neurology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.
The ceremonial meeting of the Senate of Gdańsk Tech on the occasion of the inauguration of the 2026/2027 academic year took place in the Main Building of the university, in the Gdańsk Tech Aula. The event was attended by representatives of the university authorities, the academic community, students, and invited guests, including among others: Tomasz Szturo, advisor to the President of Poland, Jacek Karnowski, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy, members of the Polish Parliament and Senate, Mieczysław Struk, Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, Magdalena Czarzyńska-Jachim, Mayor of Sopot, Piotr Grzelak, Deputy Mayor of Gdańsk, Rafał Geremek, Deputy Mayor of Gdynia, Zbigniew Canowiecki, President of Pomeranian Employers, and representatives of the regional business environment, members of the Economic Advisory Team to the Rector of Gdańsk Tech, Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda, Metropolitan of Gdańsk, and Zygmunt Choreń, alumnus of Gdańsk Tech and world-renowned sailing ship designer.
The solemn inauguration of the academic year was opened by the speech of the university Rector, Prof. Krzysztof Wilde. The Rector summarized the most important achievements of Gdańsk Tech from the past year, presenting them as examples of how scientific research, modern technologies, and collaboration between various environments can translate into tangible results. He pointed, among others, to the development of research on the human brain and cooperation with the Mayo Clinic, the university’s presence in the space sector, the launch of the NATO DIANA Living Lab, as well as initiatives reflecting the maritime character of Gdańsk Tech.
– Filii maris sumus. We are children of the sea. This sentence is not just a decorative motto for us. Gdańsk Tech has been connected with the sea since the beginning of its Polish history – said Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of Gdańsk Tech. – The maritime character of Gdańsk Tech did not begin with the #MorskaPG program. This program reminds us of our roots and gives them a contemporary dimension. Today, we combine maritime education for students with research, technological projects, academic sailing, and cooperation with industry. We want to make good use of the fact that we are a technical university located on the Baltic Sea and have had maritime competencies for decades – he added.
In his speech, the Rector also addressed the challenges faced not only by the university but by the entire region. He mentioned, among others, the development of nuclear energy and offshore wind energy, the expansion of ports and energy networks, as well as the growing importance of artificial intelligence, data centers, and the digitalization of the economy. He emphasized that the key will not only be the region’s participation in large investments but, above all, building its own competences, developing technologies, and effectively transferring knowledge from the university to enterprises. As he noted, Gdańsk Tech’s role should be to actively co-create the region’s technological transformation, rather than merely observe the changes taking place around it.
An important part of the speech was also the future of the university itself. The Rector spoke about the significance of cooperation within the Fahrenheit Universities Alliance and the further development of Gdańsk Tech as a research university. He also underlined the necessity of creating the right conditions for the development of young talents, students, PhD candidates, and researchers.
– We are talking about research on the human brain, space technologies, the Baltic Sea, security, new companies, and major investments. These are very different stories, but behind each of them is a person. Someone had an idea, someone gave them a chance, someone was then able to develop it together with others. That is why the development of Gdańsk Tech begins with people. It depends on whether we are able to recognize talent, trust it, and create a place where it can truly grow. – said Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of Gdańsk Tech, during the inauguration. – I hereby declare the academic year 2026/2027 open!
Next, Tomasz Szturo, advisor to the President of the Republic of Poland, read aloud the letter from the head of state addressed to the rector of the university and the participants of the ceremony.
– We need scientific centers that educate engineers and researchers capable of tackling the most challenging technological issues. The history of Gdańsk Tech shows that the development of Polish technical thought has always had significance beyond the university walls. It served the economy, strengthened Poland’s presence on the Baltic Sea, and built the potential of the Republic of Poland. Today, this mission remains just as relevant – wrote Karol Nawrocki, President of the Republic of Poland, in a letter.
Prof. Gregory A. Worrell awarded honorary doctorate by Gdańsk Tech
An important and exceptional moment of this year’s formal academic year inauguration was the awarding of the honorary doctorate degree of Gdańsk Tech to Prof. Gregory A. Worrell, a physician and physicist, professor of neurology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.
The ceremonial part began with a laudation delivered by Prof. Bożena Kostek, the honorary doctorate supervisor, who presented the profile and scientific achievements of the distinguished professor.
– Prof. Gregory A. Worrell is among the most outstanding contemporary neurologists and neurophysiologists, and at the same time one of the researchers who have successfully crossed traditional disciplinary boundaries, creating a new quality at the intersection of medicine, biomedical engineering, computer science, and brain sciences – we heard in the laudation. – Of particular significance to the Gdańsk Tech community is Professor Worrell’s long-term collaboration with our university. The foundation of this cooperation was the establishment of the Laboratory of Brain and Mind Electrophysiology at the Department of Multimedia Systems in the Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics, which initiated a lasting transfer of knowledge, methods, and neurophysiological technologies to Poland as well as the implementation of advanced methods for recording brain activity, including stereo-electroencephalography.
Then the Rector of Gdańsk Tech awarded Prof. Worrell the honorary doctorate (doctor honoris causa) of Gdańsk Tech.
– I feel particularly honored to receive the title of Doctor Honoris Causa from the hands of the Rector of Gdańsk Tech as well as from my colleagues and friends at this university. Delivering the lecture inaugurating the new academic year is also a great distinction. I am very grateful for this – said Prof. Gregory A. Worrell.
The scientist delivered the inaugural lecture of the academic year entitled “Brain Engineering: from Seizures to Sleep, Memory, and Consciousness,” in which he presented his research to date.
After the ceremony in the Main Building, Prof. Worrell’s name was unveiled on the plaque dedicated to all honorary doctorate recipients of Gdańsk Tech.
Matriculation of Students, Presentation of Medals and Awards
An important highlight of the ceremonial inauguration of the 2026/2027 academic year was the matriculation of students. The oath was taken by the best newly admitted representatives of all eight faculties. Bartosz Chylmański, Chairperson of the Gdańsk Tech Student Government, also spoke.
During the formal session of the Gdańsk Tech Senate, State Medals were also awarded. The Gold Cross of Merit was awarded to PhD hab. Eng. Jacek Marszal, Prof. PG, while the Silver Cross of Merit was awarded to PhD Eng. Jacek Lebiedź. The medals were presented by Tomasz Szturo, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Poland, in the presence of the Rector of Gdańsk Tech.
A representative of the City of Gdynia, Vice-President Rafał Geremek, presented the Romuald Szczęsny Award for the best diploma thesis prepared at Gdańsk Tech. It was awarded to MSc Eng. Jakub Olszewski, with distinctions granted to MSc Eng. Klaudia Gawin, MSc Eng. Wojciech Malottki, and MSc Eng. Zuzanna Milewczyk.
The award for the best Gdańsk Tech student was also presented. It was received by MSc Eng. Dominik Lau (Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics). A distinction was awarded to MSc Eng. Aleksander Longa (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology). Talent Scholarships were also solemnly presented.
The musical accompaniment of the ceremony was traditionally provided by the Academic Choir of Gdańsk Tech under the direction of Prof. Mariusz Mróz.
