Gdynia Maritime University GMU

On 25 March 2024, the 2nd edition of the Gdynia I Days - Academic Gdynia Innovation Days conference took place in the University's T. Meissner Auditorium in the main University building. The conference was organised by the GMU Technology Transfer Office.

The event was opened by HM The President of Gdynia Maritime University, Professor Adam Weintrit, the Deputy Rector for Cooperation and Development, Professor Tomasz Tarasiuk, and the Director of the Technology Transfer Office, Dr Magdalena Kukowska-Kaszuba. The Conference provided a venue for industry leaders, innovators, scientists, and science enthusiasts to meet and share their knowledge and experience. The event included many presentations, discussion panels, practical workshops, and networking, which allowed participants to make valuable contacts and provided a new perspective on contemporary challenges in business and technology.

Performing at the Conference was the GMU Academic Choir, conducted by Dr Karol Hilla. 

During the first day, GMU scientists presented examples of innovation in practice carried out by the University in cooperation with business. Solutions were presented by representatives from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering - Dr Monika Rybczak (Ship Automation Department), Dr Mariusz Górniak (Department of Ship Electric Power), Dr Przemysław Ptak (Department of Maritime Electronics), and Professor Ireneusz Czarnowski of the Faculty of Management and Quality Science (Department of Information Systems). 

There were also three expert panels on the significance of innovation. The topics of the panels included the protection of intellectual property, the value of cooperation between science and business, the role played by the social and economic environment and conditions favouring the commercialisation of solutions developed by academia based on R&D outcomes. Taking part in the first panel were guests from the Polish patent office, the Polish Chamber of Patent Attorneys, and the legal and patent office. As part of the "Development of an Innovation Support Network and Academic Entrepreneurship" panel, representatives of entities involved in the development of the regional innovation ecosystem, i.e., Experiment Science Centre, the Pomeranian Science and Technology Park, the Pomeranian Special Economic Zone, and the Interizon Foundation, discussed the most important areas of development in innovation. During the panel entitled "Benefitting from academic innovation - commercialisation" representatives of the Technology Transfer Centres of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Gdansk University of Technology, Warsaw University of Technology and the Military Technical Academy, discussed their daily activities and good practices.

During the panels, guests from institutions and companies supporting innovation exchanged thoughts on intellectual property rights, the value of cooperation between science and business, and conditions supporting the commercialisation of R&D outcomes of higher education institutions. 

During the second day of the Conference, speeches were given by representatives of the Pomeranian Marshall's Office, the Polish Agency for the Development of Business, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, and the Agreement Council of Technology Transfer Centres, who outlined the role of financial institutions in the competitiveness of the Polish economy.

Participants also took part in engaging panels during which companies   Domat Consulting, Remontowa Electrical Solution, REDD, Transition Technologies-Software, PGE Energia Ciepła, and the Polish Register of Shipping expressed their views on cooperation between science and business, presented their outlook on cooperation between science and business. 

Representatives of some of the University's partner companies, Startowa.pl, Univentum Labs, and Excento, together with a representative of the Agreement Council of Technology Transfer Centres, discussed the role and significance of indirect commercialisation and favourable conditions for this type of academic entrepreneurship. 

The Conference also hosted a competition, the "Gold Star for Innovation". The winners, a team from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering for their "Electric power quality analyser and integrated modelling and planning system" were voted on by Conference participants and awarded with a voucher for patent protection valid at the Polish Patent Office. The runners-up were a team from the Faculty of Management and Quality Science with their invention "High-satiety bread with enhanced health benefits".  Congratulations to the winners!

Also singled out for praise were representatives of the companies Domat Consulting, Remontowa Electrical Solution, and the Port of Gdańsk Authority, for their unconventional thinking in anticipation of world trends, pioneering projects, new initiatives, and unique solutions based on knowledge developed through partnerships between science and business. The staff of these companies were presented with specially made pin badges with the words "Ambassador for Innovation". 

We would like to thank all those who took part in the Academic Gdynia Innovation Days.