Gdynia Maritime University GMU

On 17 June 2024, Gdynia Maritime University celebrated 104 years of maritime education in Poland. The traditionally celebrated University celebration day began with the ceremonial raising of the Polish Merchant Navy flag on the University's main building.

The June Gdynia Maritime University Celebration Day marks events that took place more than 100 years ago, when General Józef Leśniewski signed an order on 17th June 1920 to establish a Maritime School in Tczew. It is these events that began the history of Gdynia Maritime University, the successor of the Maritime School in Tczew.

CEREMONIAL RAISING OF THE FLAG

The red and white fag of the Polish Merchant Navy was raised on the main university building punctually at 8:00 am.

The tradition of raising the flag on the University building is a distinctive honour for Gdynia Maritime University. In this way, we continue a tradition that began in 1920 when a flag was raised exceptionally on the building of the newly inaugurated Maritime School in Tczew, as the school did not yet have its own sail training ship In 1930, the beginning of education was inaugurated at the School's new campus in Gdynia, the location of today's Gdynia Maritime University.

Each June, during University Celebration Day, GMU continues the beautiful tradition of the Maritime School in Tczew, paying its respects to the Polish flag. This year's event also saw the University Senate staff, students, and alumni gather today in front of the main entrance to the University. The University banner was led in in the company of the GMU Guard of Honour and the Polish Navy Orchestra, which during the raising of the flag played the Polish National Anthem.

LAYING FLOWERS UNDER THE MEMORIAL TABLET

In connection with the 80th anniversary of the landing of allied forces in Normandy - the biggest landing operation during the Second World, HM The Rector of GMU, Professor Adam Weintrit, was accompanied by Rear Admiral Professor Tomasz Szubrycht, the Rector of the Polish Naval Academy in Gdynia, in laying flowers underneath the memorial tablet at the University in remembrance of the crews of Polish merchant ships who defended the Polish coast during World War II.

MASS FOR THE INTENTIONS OF GMU STAFF, STUDENTS, AND DOCTORAL CANDIDATES

A traditional part of the University's June celebration is a solemn Mass celebrated for the intentions of the staff, students, doctoral candidates and graduates of the University at 9:00 am at the Redemptorist Church in Gdynia. An air of solemnity was provided for the occasion by the GMU Choir and Guard of Honour.

CEREMONIAL SITTING OF THE SENATE OF GMU

At 11:00 am, the celebration of the 103rd anniversary of Maritime Education moved to the T. Meissner auditorium, the main hall in the central building of the University. The ceremonial open sitting of the Senate was preceded by the breaking of glasses in the University's main lobby. The Ceremonial Opening of the GMU Senatorial Sitting took place and was attended by the members of the Senate, representatives of the University Council, as well as guests. The Ceremony was accompanied by performances of the GMU Academic Choir.

A speech prepared for the occasion was given by HM The Rector, Professor Adam Weintrit, summing up the most important events of the past six months. Before focusing on the University's achievements, the Rector took the opportunity to express his thanks:

I am coming to the end of my fourth year as Rector of Gdynia Maritime University. Elections for the post of the Rector took place in April. I am honoured that the academic community at Gdynia Maritime University has entrusted me with overseeing our Alma Mater for a further four years. I would like to thank you once again for your continued trust, but also for your cooperation, your openness to dialogue and your dedication to the development of Gdynia Maritime University.

The Rector then gave an overview of the successes of recent months, connected in particular with the two highly important investments in the University's infrastructure - the Centre for the Offshore Industry, and the GMU Sports and Recreation Centre:

The construction and opening of the Centre for the Offshore Industry in Gdańsk undoubtedly testifies to Gdynia Maritime University's position as a leader in the Polish offshore market, particularly concerning offshore wind. It is there, in this new facility, that the GMU Maritime Institute and the Offshore Wind Energy Centre are now based.   

In relation to the completion of the Sports and Recreation Centre, the Rector commented that:

One of the most important projects of this term of office was the construction of the Sports and Recreation centre. The project was safely completed a few weeks ago. The newly developed building is the first phase of the development of a sports and student accommodation complex planned for this area of the University campus.

The Rector also referred to the conferral of the honorary title of Doctor honoris causa on Stanford University Scholar, Professor Bradford Parkinson, the Father of GPS.

Continuing his speech, Professor Weintrit informed guests of two cooperation agreements signed by the university and representatives from business and academic communities. He also reminded those gathered of the sitting of the International Executive Board (IEB) of the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) which was held in April at Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, MA in the USA,over which, as Chair of the Association, he had the honour of presiding.

The Rector also referred to the successes of members of the University staff, including the award of the Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta to Professor Lech Murawski, and the Commander's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta to GMU Honorary Doctor Professor Janusz Mindykowski.

He also mentioned recent events, including current voyages of the Dar Młodzieży and the expedition of the Horyzont II to Spitsbergen. Concerning the white frigate, the Rector reminded informed those gathered that the sailing ship will set off from its home port on Tuesday 25 June on its next voyage:

I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to come out to see the departure of our sailing ship Dar Młodzieży and its crew at 9:00 am on 25 June. I would also like to take this opportunity to invite you all to an Open Day on board the Dar Młodzieży which will be held on Sunday 23 June between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm as part of the city's Maritime Days Festival. The event will also see the doors opened to the A. Ledochowski planetarium at the Faculty of Navigation building, where additionally, it will be possible for the visitors to test their skills on the radio and navigation simulator.

At the end of his speech, HM The Rector, Professor Adam Weintrit, thanked the guests and members of staff gathered in the T. Meissner hall for attending University Celebration Day and extended his congratulations to those who were to be presented with awards, medals and certificates.

Following the Rector's speech, the host of the ceremony, Aleksander Gosk, read a letter addressed to HM The Rector fron the Minister for Education Barbara Nowacka, in which the Minister highlighted the University's success:

I am unfailingly impressed with the extraordinary achievements of Gdynia Maritime University in its over a century-long history. Today it successfully continues the rich traditions of maritime education, the fundaments of which were laid in 1920 by its predecessor, the Maritime Academy in Tczew. I appreciate that this commendable institution bravely goes forward to meet the challenges of the contemporary world, unceasingly raising the quality of offered education by adjusting its programmes to the current demands of the labour market and constantly drawing from its untapped scientific and research potential. I have no doubt that through tight cooperation with businesses and international institutions, the University shall duly prepare its students to be mindful and, above all, responsible in their service to building the national and global economy.

Another letter presented at the ceremony was that of the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Dr Arkadiusz Marchewka. The letter was read by the Director of the Maritime Education Department in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Wojciech Gąsowski. In his letter, the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure wrote that:

Today's celebrations are an excellent opportunity to honour the historic foundation of the Maritime School in Tczew in 1920. Since then, the University has developed a rich tradition. The University's consistent efforts to maintain a high and innovative level of education result in a wide range of study programmes adapted to meet the needs of the modern world. It contributes to the education of well-prepared engineering, management and officer personnel through the creative and innovative transfer of knowledge and the highest level of education based on close cooperation with numerous academic centres in Europe and around the world.

In expressing his thanks for the invitation to take part in University Celebration Day, Deputy Minister Marchewka ensured that:

The priority of the Ministry of Infrastructure is the further development of the potential of the University and the strengthening of its position. I hope that our further cooperation will enhance the University's image as a renowned academic centre for the training of personnel, providing invaluable support for the continually developing maritime industry.

DISTINCTIONS OF THE PRESIDENT OF POLAND

The latter part of the open sitting of the Senate focused on the presentation of distinctions and awards. Distinctions granted by the President of Poland were awarded at the request of the Ministry for Infrastructure.

The Bronze Cross For the Development of Science was awarded to:

• Dr Adam Muc
• Dr Millena Ruszkowska

For exceptional and honourable performance of professional duties, Gold Medals for Long Service were awarded to:

• Dr Dariusz Barbucha,
• Ms Małgorzata Bielska
• Ms Ewa Drożęcka
• Dr Grzegorz Hajdukiewicz
• Dr Piotr Jankowski
• Ms Ewa Kudela
• Dr Hanna Mackiewicz
• Professor Andrzej Miszczak
• Ms Małgorzata Rudzińska
• Dr Violetta Skrodzka
• Mr Wiesław Suchocki
• Ms Ewa Zdanowicz
• Silver Medals for Long Service were awarded to:
• Dr Marcin Frycz
• Dr Aleksandra Grobelna
• Mr Krzysztof Nieradko
• Dr Tomasz Nowak
• Dr/Captain Grzegorz Rutkowski
• Dr Anetta Waśniewska
• Dr Joanna Wierzowiecka
• Dr Aleksandra Wilczyńska
• Ms Magdalena Wołowiec

Bronze Medals for Long Service were awarded to:

• Ms Anna Dudziak

Following the presentation of distinctions, the GMU Academic Choir, conducted by Dr Karol Hilla, performed the “Anthem of the Maritime School”, composed by Michała Hłaski, a graduate of the Maritime School in Tczew.

As part of the ceremony, Gdynia Maritime University staff were presented with medals, awards and distinctions awarded by the Senate of GMU and HM The Rector.

“MERITORIOUS” MEDALS

His Magnificence awarded the "Meritorious Service to Maritime Education," "Meritorious Service to Gdynia Maritime University" and "Meritorious Gdynia Maritime University Employee” medals to those who contributed to the development of the Gdynia Maritime University and maritime education.

SAILS OF SCIENCE

The Rector also presented awards for outstanding scientific achievements: "Sails of Science for academic lecturers with outstanding achievements and renown in academic or industry".

Next was the presentation of diplomas for the best scientific monograph published in 2023 and the scientific paper with the highest h-index in 2023

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

An individual award was presented to Mr Tomasz Maracewicz for the popularisation of maritime tradition in the book “Independence Sail - Logbook. The Voyage of Dar Młodzięzy Around the World 2018-2019

CAPTAIN KONSTANTYN MATYJEWICZ-MACIEJEWICZ BEST ACADEMIC TEACHER AWARD

The award for the Best Academic Teacher at GMU in 2023, as recommended by the Student Parliament, was presented to Associate Professor Dr Magdalena Bogalecka.

CONQUEROR OF SEAS AND OCEANS

The award for individuals who hold the highest degree maritime diploma and achieved significant success in connection with work at sea during the year 2023 was given to Captain Marek Czapczyk.

GDYNIA MARITIME UNIVERSITY STAFF AWARDS

Towards the end of the ceremony, Rector awards were also presented to both members of the University’s academic teaching staff, and the administration.

HM The Rector also honoured members of staff for 50, 40, 35, 30 and 25 years of service to the University.

PHOTO GALLERY 

Following the presentation of awards, host of the Ceremonial sitting of the Senate, Aleksander Gosk read a letter from the President of PGE Baltica Bartosz Fedurka, which highlighted the role of the University in the education of future maritime personnel:

As the continuer of the tradition of the Maritime School in Tczew, Gdynia Maritime University has played and continues to play a key role in producing highly qualified maritime personnel who contribute to the development of the maritime industry. In the dynamically developing offshore industry, in particular renewable energy, Gdynia Maritime University is of invaluable importance; one example of this is the opening of the Centre for the Offshore Industry in March - the new headquarters of the GMU Maritime Institute and the GMU Offshore Wind Energy Centre.

The ceremony came to a close with a performance by the GMU Academic Choir. The Rector thanked all present for taking part in celebrations of the 104th anniversary of the establishment of Maritime Education in Poland.