Gdańsk Tech Awarded in the "Safe University" Competition,
Gdańsk Tech is among seven laureates of the nationwide "Safe University" competition, which recognizes universities for effective solutions in preventing bullying and discrimination. The support system at Gdańsk Tech, the development of employee competencies, as well as regular monitoring of undesirable phenomena and the use of research results to improve university procedures were particularly appreciated.
Gdańsk Tech is among seven laureates of the nationwide "Safe University" competition, which recognizes universities for effective solutions in preventing bullying and discrimination. The support system at Gdańsk Tech, the development of employee competencies, as well as regular monitoring of undesirable phenomena and the use of research results to improve university procedures were particularly appreciated.
Prof. Joanna Żukowska, Ombudsperson for Rights and Academic Values, and Anna Miler, coordinator of the Office for Rights, Academic Values and Equal Treatment, accepted the award during the project’s closing conference, held on 25 September 2026 at the Faculty of History of the University of Warsaw. The distinction was presented by Maria Mrówczyńska, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education, and Prof. Jacek Męcina, head of the project.
The project “University – a safe space free from bullying and discrimination – actions to support anti-bullying policy and counteract undesirable behaviours at Polish universities” is a nationwide initiative supporting higher education institutions in creating effective mechanisms to prevent bullying and discrimination. Implemented since 2025, the project included diagnosing the situation in the academic environment, analysing solutions applied, and developing a catalog of good practices.
Among the laureates were seven universities that, according to the Monitoring Committee, have built effective systems to counteract undesirable phenomena.
Gdańsk Tech was recognized, among other things, for systemic solutions, including developing staff competencies through the Staff Development Academy, as well as for an extensive support system. This system includes, among others, the Academic Rights and Values Ombudsperson, the Equal Treatment Ombudsperson, the Office for Rights, Academic Values, and Equal Treatment, and the Anti-Bullying and Anti-Discrimination Commission.
Also appreciated was the monitoring of bullying, discrimination, and sexual harassment phenomena, as well as using research results to further develop and improve the adopted solutions.
– We are pleased with this distinction primarily because it draws attention to a subject that has so far been spoken about too rarely in the academic environment. We are fully aware of how much is still ahead of us. Every report we receive reminds us that bullying and discrimination are real problems, and our actions will never be definitively “completed.” No award means we have done enough already. We want this information to reach the academic community and remind them that the university has people and structures to turn to in difficult situations. The activities of the Ombudsperson and the Office are based on dialogue, mediation, and jointly seeking the best solutions for those reporting their problems. Changes in the Labour Code and increasing awareness of employee rights show that further development of these actions is necessary. Increasingly, high standards of communication and team management are also expected. We treat this success as a commitment, not as a final point. We want to meet these expectations and continue to strengthen the safety of our academic community – says Prof. Joanna Żukowska.
Materials prepared under the programme are available on the project website “Safe University.” A digital version of the collection of good practices, including descriptions of solutions applied at Gdańsk Tech, will soon also be published there.
Individuals needing support in difficult situations can contact the Academic Rights and Values Ombudsperson or use other procedures in force at the university. Detailed information is available on the PG intranet.