Gdynia Maritime University GMU

On 8th December 2023, Gdynia Maritime University held its Celebration Day for the 103rd time. The ceremony began with the raising of the flag on the main building of GMU, followed by the ceremonial sitting of the Senate. The day’s events came to a close with a Remembrance Roll Call.

8:00 am - Raising the flag of the Polish Navy

The ceremony began on time at 8:00 a.m. with the traditional raising of the flag on the main University building. The University's oldest tradition began 103 years ago in Tczew, when young people, often participants in the Polish-Soviet war, as a symbol of the inauguration of Maritime School raised the Polish flag on the School's building since the School had no ship at the time.

The ceremony began with the introduction of the University banner and the white and red flag, accompanied by the GMU Guard of Honour and the Orchestra of the Marine Division of the Border Guard. At 08:00 hours, just a few moments after the rising of the sun on a cold December morning, the Polish merchant navy on the mast of the University's main building to the sound of 'Dąbrowski's Mazurek' - the Polish national anthem.

The ceremony also featured the handing over of the banner of the Gdynia Maritime University Guard of Honour, and ended with the march of the Marine Division of the Border Guard.

9:00 - Holy Mass

Another Gdynia Maritime University is a solemn Mass celebrated for the intentions of the staff, students, doctoral candidates and graduates of the University at the Redemptorist Church on Portowej Street in Gdynia. 

The Holy Mass, which began at 9:00 am, was celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Dr Wiesław Szlachetka and the Pastor of the People of the Sea and Gdynia Maritime University Chaplain, Father Edward Pracz.

An air of solemnity was provided for the occasion by the GMU Choir and Guard of Honour.

11:00 - Ceremonial Sitting of the Senate of GMU

The following events were held in the main Gdynia Maritime University buildings on Morska Street. Maritime Economy Affairs. At 11:00 am, an open sitting of the Senate was held in the T. Meissner Hall, attended by members of the Senate, representatives of the University Council, and guests.

After welcoming the participants and guests, HM Rector of Gdynia Maritime University Professor Adam Weintrit gave a speech for the occasion.

GMU Rector Professor highlighted the University's long history and its mission:

103 years ago, the white and red flag was ceremonially raised on the building of the Maritime School in Tczew. 8th December is a special day for Gdynia Maritime University and maritime education in Poland as a whole. Just as our frigate, Dar Młodzieży, continues the tradition of the Lwów and later Dar Pomorza, so we, as the community of Gdynia Maritime University, have the privilege and the honour of cultivating and continuing the mission that was began by lecturers and students, the pioneers of the Polish merchant fleet.

Emphasising the importance of tradition, which is nothing more than an intergenerational bridge between the past and the present, the Rector recalled this year's most important voyage of Dar Młodzieży in commemoration of the crossing of the equator in 1923 by the first ship flying the white and red flag - the training ship Lwów - during a training voyage to Brazil: 

[…] on 28 September, Dar Mlodzieży, captained by Rafał Szymanski, and with 2nd-year Faculty of Navigation students on board, crossed the equator about 200 miles from the coast of Brazil,  by paying tribute to the "cradle of navigators" - the nickname by which our first training ship, Lwów was known.

The Rector summarised the successes of the University's staff and the events of the past year, including soon-to-be-completed investments - the Centre for the Offshore Industry and the Sports and Recreation Centre. He proudly spoke of the award of an honorary doctorate to Professor Hans Rummel of Hochschule Bremerhaven in Germany and announced the award of a further doctorate honoris cause to Professor Bradford Parkinson of Stanford University, known as the father of GPS. The Rector also congratulated two GMU scientists who received professorship nominations this year - Professor Krzysztof Czaplewski and Professor Ireneusz Czarnowski.

Turning his attention to the future, the Rector spoke of a major challenge that lies ahead:

Today, we face another challenge and set ourselves another goal to achieve. Autonomous Shipping. Today, we face another challenge and set ourselves another goal to achieve. That goal is autonomous shipping. MASS (Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships) are already in operation. The challenge for the future, however, is autonomous shipping, a far wider matter which is still awaiting international standardisation in terms of its technology, but perhaps more noticeably in its legal aspects; economical, ecological and safety considerations to allow autonomous ships to move freely throughout the world's waters.

At the end of his speech, Professor Rector Adam Weintrit expressed his gratitude to the University's staff present at the ceremony:

Once again, I congratulate all those who will be honoured, decorated and awarded in just a moment. Thank you for your support and commitment. Together, we can do great things. I wish you further success.    

In the next part of the ceremony, a speech was given by the Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure Grzegorz Witkowski, who proudly showed the Cross of Merit of the Association of Piłsudski, which he was decorated within the Basilica of the Most Holy Virgin Mary of the Queen of Poland in Gdynia, and which he received from the former Rector of Gdynia Maritime University, Professor Daniel Duda, GMU Honorary Doctor and previous captain of Dar Młodzieży, Captain Ireneusz Lewandowski. 

In his speech, Minister Grzegorz Witkowski drew attention to the challenges faced by the University in the near future:

As well as the tradition beautifully spoken of by His Magnificence The Rector, Gdynia Maritime University is also its people, its history, its achievements, and its future. The future unfolding before you all is both inspiring and far-reaching. But what is most important: it is before you Thanks to government funding, the University has been able to carry out the investment projects mentioned by HM The Rector, in particular the Centre for Offshore Industry. The Centre is a massive undertaking and a giant leap forward. With Polish ports again recording record import-export volumes this year - a total of 130 million tonnes of transshipped goods - the Centre will play an important part in the education and training of much-needed personnel. I'm sure we would all agree that this progress is thanks to University graduates, including those from Gdynia Maritime University. We ask that you please do more. Not only does this provide real money for the state budget, but it also gives us extensive business experience, which gains us more business and markets. This puts us in a good position on the world stage. The GMU Centre for the Offshore Industry, which will educate personnel for the offshore wind energy industry, is what Poland, Polish businesses and the market need.

The Under-secretary in the Ministry for Infrastructure Grzegorz Witkowski concluded his speech with thanks and congratulations:

I would like to thank you all. Congratulations, I wish you another year of success in your teaching, scientific research and publications. Thank you very much.

The ceremony also provided an opportunity for the presentation of awards and decorations. These included a Minister of Education and Science Silver Medal "For Meritorious Contribution to Polish Science Sapientia et Veritas" for outstanding contributions to higher education and science, including outstanding achievements in research, education, and organisation and the National Education Commission Medal for outstanding contributions to education and Education Commission for special service for education and training. Also presented was a Minister of Infrastructure "Meritorious Maritime Worker" Honorary badge.  

Medals and badges awarded to Gdynia Maritime University staff were presented by Rector Professor Adam Weintrit and Deputy Secretary of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure Grzegorz Witkowski.

His Magnificence, Rector Professor Adam Weintrit, awarded the decorations "Meritorious Service to Gdynia Maritime University," and "Meritorious Worker of Gdynia Maritime University" to those who contributed to the development of the Gdynia Maritime University and maritime education.

Jubilee awards for GMU staff for 50, 45 and 40 years of service were also presented.

The Captain Konstantyn Matyjewicz-Maciejewicz award for the best academic teacher at Gdynia Maritime University as chosen by GMU students was presented to Dr Mirosław Nowakowski.

The next highlight of the celebrations was the presentation of diplomas confirming the award of doctoral and post-doctoral degrees by Rector Professor Adam Weintrit.

As is tradition, awards were also presented to students with outstanding academic achievements and for social work for the benefit of the academic community, as well as a doctoral candidate award granted for outstanding scientific achievements.

The Rector presented three "Gdynia Maritime University Graduate Medals" for outstanding academic results and outstanding activities for the benefit of the academic community.

For their activity and social work for the benefit of the academic community, the Rector's award was also awarded to members of the Students' Parliament.

His Magnificence, The Rector, also presented awards to students for their significant achievements in sports at a national or international level.

HM Rector Professor Adam Weintrit congratulated all those who had received awards and distinctions and thanked them for their involvement.

During the latter part of the ceremony, several guests also took to the floor. The first to speak was Magdalena Adamowicz, MEP,  who expressed her sincerest congratulations to HM The Rector and paid tribute to the University on its Celebration Day for over 100 years of history and tradition. In her speech, Magdalena Adamowicz highlighted the importance of the University:

The University is widely recognised throughout the world - a sure leader. So I'm very glad that I could be here with you today. I know that work at sea is changing rapidly. The University must stay ahead of the tide of the times. It does so with exceptional quality, novelty, innovation and what is important from the point of view of a representative of the European Parliament - the University undertakes many projects - education projects, research projects, and projects connected with business.

Also taking to the floor was Dorota Arciszewska-Mielewczyk, a graduate of the University, who said:

I would like to thank you for keeping up with the spirit of time. The University is taking advantage of all possibilities of cooperation with ship operators, with all kinds of companies operating within maritime, for producing graduates who can contribute to the development of ports and are capable of meeting the challenges posed by modern technologies and are therefore highly required in today's industry. I would like to thank you for your commitment to the education of maritime personnel, and for the fact that today we can be proud that we have such a great university here in the Tricity.

Next to speak was Robert Nowicki, the President of Orlen Neptune, who highlighted the future that is the new energy paradigm:

Today in Poland, the epicentre of the energy industry is relocating to the North. It is indeed a huge responsibility for business, in which we must have smart, educated, and courageous people in addition to the element of technology. It is human capital that is the most important aspect of every project, and hence the reason I am very happy to work with Gdynia Maritime University.

Also saying a few words was the Deputy Major of Gdynia, Bartosz Bartoszewicz, who extended best wishes on behalf of the local authorities and government, and himself:

Best wishes on the occasion of Gdynia Maritime University Celebration Day. An occasion which has developed together with the city. The development of Gdynia has been made possible thanks to the development of the University, and the development of the University thanks to the development of Gdynia. Today, young people come here to gain an education not only from our city but throughout the region and even the whole country. People who gain knowledge that allows them to reach their potential, and achieve many wonderful things, but also those who decide to spread their wings beyond our country, often bringing new experiences with them on their return.

Dr Marek Dzida, a professor at the Gdansk University of Technology, read a letter sent to HM The Rector of GMU by Krzysztof Wilde. The letter included the following words addressed to the GMU academic community:

On behalf of myself and the entire academic community of Gdansk University of Technology, I would like to congratulate you most sincerely on the anniversary of Gdynia Maritime University. This is an exceptional time that reminds us of the difficulties, challenges and successes associated with the development of knowledge and skills for the maritime industry. I wish the Maritime University further achievements in education and research. Gdynia Maritime University Celebration Day is an excellent opportunity to reflect on achievements so far and to take an optimistic look into a future full of new challenges and success, which I sincerely wish the entire academic community at the Maritime University.

The ceremonial sitting of the Senate also saw the launch of the book "The Biographical Dictionary of the Graduates of the State Maritime School in Exile in England, 1940-1945", by Małgorzata Sokołowska and Joanna Stasiak. The book's godmother was Maria Prucińska, an ex-Radio Gdansk journalist, and the wife of Kazimierz Loroch, a graduate of the Maritime School in Southampton.

The event was given a celebratory air by the University's Academic Choir, conducted by Dr Karol Hilla. 

The celebrations of the 102nd anniversary of Gdynia Maritime University wouldn't be complete with the traditional roast goose dinner. The dinner was reminiscent of the events of 1920 when, after the inauguration of the first year at the Tczew Maritime School, guests sat down for a festive meal with roast goose served as the main course.

University Celebration Day 2023 came to a close with a Remembrance Roll Call in front of the University's main building, during which the University remembers those who left an indelible mark its its history and thanks to whom, we can be part of an academic community today and citizens of a free and independent country. With the solemn symbolic act, GMU remember directors, lecturers, employees, students and graduates of the Tczew Maritime School and Gdynia Maritime University, who left for the eternal watch, having died in the field of glory, or at sea

We would like to thank all guests, students, doctoral candidates and staff for their participation in Gdynia Maritime University Celebration Day          

Photos by Cezary Spigarski