Gdańsk Tech’s growth starts with people. The 2026/2027 academic year is now under way.
On Friday, 2 October 2026, Gdańsk University of Technology held the official inauguration of the 2026/2027 academic year in the Main Building’s Assembly Hall. The ceremony brought together members of the University authorities and academic community, invited guests and students. One of the highlights was the conferral of an honorary doctorate by Gdańsk Tech on Prof. Gregory A. Worrell, a physician and physicist and Professor of Neurology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.
On Friday, 2 October 2026, Gdańsk University of Technology held the official inauguration of the 2026/2027 academic year in the Main Building’s Assembly Hall. The ceremony brought together members of the University authorities and academic community, invited guests and students. One of the highlights was the conferral of an honorary doctorate by Gdańsk Tech on Prof. Gregory A. Worrell, a physician and physicist and Professor of Neurology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.
The ceremonial meeting of the Senate of Gdańsk University of Technology marking the inauguration of the 2026/2027 academic year was held in the University’s Main Building, in the Gdańsk Tech Assembly Hall. The event was attended by members of the University authorities and academic community, students and invited guests, including Tomasz Szturo, adviser to the President of the Republic of Poland; Jacek Karnowski, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy; members of the Sejm 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 Employers of Pomerania, together with representatives of the regional business community serving on the Rector’s Economic Advisory Council; Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda, Metropolitan Archbishop of Gdańsk; and Zygmunt Choreń, a Gdańsk Tech alumnus and internationally renowned designer of sailing ships.
The ceremony opened with an address by the Rector, Prof. Krzysztof Wilde. He reflected on Gdańsk Tech’s most significant achievements of the past year, presenting them as examples of how scientific research, advanced technologies and collaboration across different sectors can deliver tangible results. Among the areas he highlighted were the University’s growing research into the human brain and its cooperation with Mayo Clinic, Gdańsk Tech’s presence in the space sector, the launch of the NATO DIANA Living Lab, and initiatives that draw on the University’s strong maritime identity.
“Filii maris sumus. We are children of the sea. For us, these words are far more than a decorative slogan. Gdańsk University of Technology has been closely connected with the sea from the very beginning of its Polish history,” said Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of Gdańsk Tech. “The University’s maritime identity did not begin with the #MorskaPG programme. Rather, the programme 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 the most of the fact that we are a university of technology located on the Baltic coast, with decades of expertise in maritime-related fields.”
In his address, the Rector also spoke more broadly about the challenges facing not only the University, but the entire region. He pointed to the development of nuclear power and offshore wind energy, the expansion of ports and energy networks, and the growing importance of artificial intelligence, data centres and the digitalisation of the economy. He stressed that the key challenge would be not simply to take part in major investment projects, but above all to build up the region’s own expertise, develop new technologies and ensure that knowledge generated at the University is effectively transferred to business. As he emphasised, Gdańsk Tech should play an active role in shaping the region’s technological transformation, rather than merely observing the changes taking place around it.
Another important theme of the speech was the future of the University itself. The Rector spoke about the importance of cooperation within the Fahrenheit Universities and the continued development of Gdańsk Tech as a research university. He also underlined the need to create the right conditions for young talent to thrive — among students, doctoral candidates and researchers alike.
“We talk about research into the human brain, space technologies, the Baltic Sea, security, new companies and major investments. These are very different stories, but there is a person behind every one of them. Someone had an idea, someone gave it a chance, and someone knew how to develop it further together with others. That is why the development of Gdańsk University of Technology begins with people — with our ability to recognise talent, place our trust in it and create an environment in which it can truly flourish,” said Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of Gdańsk Tech, during the ceremony. “I hereby declare the 2026/2027 academic year 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 centres of learning and research that educate engineers and researchers capable of taking on the most demanding technological challenges. The history of Gdańsk University of Technology shows that the advancement of Polish technical thought has always had an impact far beyond the University’s walls. It has supported the economy, strengthened Poland’s presence on the Baltic and helped build the country’s long-term potential. Today, that mission remains every bit as relevant,” wrote Karol Nawrocki, President of the Republic of Poland, in his letter.
Prof. Gregory A. Worrell awarded honorary doctorate by Gdańsk Tech
A particularly significant and memorable part of this year’s inauguration ceremony was the conferral of an honorary doctorate of Gdańsk University of Technology on Prof. Gregory A. Worrell, a physician and physicist and Professor of Neurology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.
The honorary degree ceremony began with a laudation delivered by Prof. Bożena Kostek, who served as the academic sponsor of the honorary doctorate. She presented Prof. Worrell’s academic career and scientific achievements.
“Prof. Gregory A. Worrell is one of the most distinguished contemporary neurologists and neurophysiologists, and one of those researchers who have succeeded in crossing traditional disciplinary boundaries to create a new quality at the intersection of medicine, biomedical engineering, computer science and brain research,” we heard in the laudation. “Of particular importance to the Gdańsk Tech community is Prof. Worrell’s long-standing collaboration with our University. A cornerstone of this cooperation was the establishment of the Brain and Mind Electrophysiology Laboratory within the Department of Multimedia Systems at the Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics. This marked the beginning of a sustained transfer of neurophysiological knowledge, methods and technologies to Poland, as well as the introduction of advanced techniques 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.
Student matriculation, medals and awards
Another important part of the 2026/2027 inauguration ceremony was the matriculation of new students. The top-performing first-year students from all eight faculties took the academic oath. Bartosz Chylmański, Chair of the Gdańsk Tech Students’ Union, also addressed the audience.
State decorations were also presented during the ceremonial meeting of the Gdańsk Tech Senate. Dr hab. inż. Jacek Marszal, Prof. at Gdańsk Tech, received the Gold Cross of Merit, while Dr inż. Jacek Lebiedź was awarded the Silver Cross of Merit. The decorations were presented by Tomasz Szturo, Adviser to the President of the Republic of Poland, in the presence of the Rector of Gdańsk University of Technology.
Rafał Geremek, Deputy Mayor of Gdynia, presented the Romuald Szczęsny Award for the best degree thesis completed at Gdańsk Tech. The award went to Jakub Olszewski, MSc Eng., while commendations were presented to Klaudia Gawin, MSc Eng., Wojciech Malottki, MSc Eng., and Zuzanna Milewczyk, MSc Eng.
The award for Gdańsk Tech’s best student was presented to Dominik Lau, MSc Eng. (Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics), while Aleksander Longa, MSc Eng. (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology), received a distinction. The Talent Scholarships were also formally presented during the ceremony.
As in previous years, the musical setting for the event was provided by the Gdańsk Tech Academic Choir, conducted by Prof. Mariusz Mróz.
