GMU Celebrates 106th Anniversary of Maritime Education in Poland on University Celebration Day

On 17 June 2026, Gdynia Maritime University celebrated the 106th anniversary of maritime education in Poland commemorating the establishment of the Maritime School in Tczew. It was on 17 June 1920 that the Minister of Military Affairs, General Józef Leśniewski, signed the order establishing the first Polish maritime school. Its traditions are continued today by Gdynia Maritime University – the oldest maritime higher education institution in the country.

THE RAISING OF THE FLAG

The celebrations began at 8:00 am sharp with the traditional raising of the white and red flag of the Polish Merchant Navy on the main University building. The ceremony was attended by the GMU Guard of Honour and the Band of the Maritime Regional Unit of the Border Guard. A Holy Mass was subsequently celebrated in the Gdynia Maritime University chapel for the intentions of the University's staff, students, doctoral candidates, and graduates.

CEREMONIAL SESSION OF THE SENATE OF GDYNIA MARITIME UNIVERSITY

The main event of the celebrations was the ceremonial session of the Senate of Gdynia Maritime University in the Tadeusz Meissner Auditorium. In attendance were members of the Senate, members of the University Council, national and local government representatives, and many guests. The celebratory atmosphere of the session was enhanced by performances from the GMU Academic Choir.

The Rector of Gdynia Maritime University, Professor Adam Weintrit, addressed the gathering. In his address, the Rector recalled the events of a century ago that laid the foundations for the creation of Gdynia Maritime University:

Every year, we celebrate our University Celebration Day twice – on 17 June and 8 December. Both dates hold particular significance for our academic community as they commemorate events that took place 106 years ago, marking the birth of our Alma Mater. It was in 1920 that the Minister of Military Affairs, General Józef Leśniewski, signed the order to establish the Maritime School in Tczew, which gave rise to what is today Gdynia Maritime University. 

The Rector summarised the past six months, reflecting on the most significant recent events and achievements that have shaped the University's history. Among other highlights, he drew attention to the historic voyage currently being undertaken by the University's sail training frigate, the Dar Młodzieży:

On 16 April this year, shortly after 2:00 pm, the Dar Młodzieży departed on an extraordinary voyage to the United States of America – perhaps the last of these great, historic expeditions. [...] It was a special moment for many reasons. Above all, the current voyage of the Dar Młodzieży continues one of the finest traditions in Polish maritime education, echoing the legendary expedition of the Dar Pomorza half a century ago.  

Crucially, it was exactly on 16 April 1976 that the white-and-red frigate set sail on a voyage to mark the bicentenary of US Independence, writing one of the most significant chapters in the history of Polish maritime education.

Today, fifty years later, the Dar Młodzieży once again proudly carries the Polish flag across the Atlantic, serving as a reminder of the long-standing traditions of Polish maritime education and confirming that Gdynia Maritime University remains the guardian and continuator of this unique heritage. 

The Rector also outlined the key strategic directions for the development of Gdynia Maritime University. These include initiatives aimed at further internationalising the University and plans for constructing a successor to the Dar Młodzieży.

We have witnessed further milestone events that bring us closer to the construction of this new vessel. In March, the Minister of Infrastructure, Mr Dariusz Klimczak, and the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, Dr Arkadiusz Marchewka, personally informed us of the allocation of the first funding instalment to the University, amounting to over PLN 131 million, earmarked for the construction of the successor to the tall ship Dar Młodzieży. 

Less than a month later, another event of fundamental importance for the future of maritime education in Poland took place. On 23 April 2026, Gdynia Maritime University announced a tender for a strategic investment project: the construction of a new training ship – a three-masted tall ship that will eventually replace the Dar Młodzieży.

The Rector's address was followed by an address from the Deputy Governor of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, Emil Rojek, highlighting the significance of Gdynia Maritime University to the development of the Polish maritime economy and the region's energy transition: 

Two years ago, I had the pleasure of participating in a panel discussion dedicated to the emerging offshore wind sector. Even then, the University leaders recognised the vital need to train professionals and adapt the educational model to the demands of this new economic sector, establishing new specialisations and paths for development. [...] Today, Gdynia Maritime University successfully meets the demands of the industry and is fully equipped to deliver on 'local content' requirements, ensuring that new investments can become the driving force behind the development of the entire region.

The Head of the Political Cabinet of the Minister of National Education, Bartłomiej Plewczyński, then read out a letter from the Minister of Education, Barbara Nowacka, addressed to the academic community of Gdynia Maritime University. In the letter, the Minister emphasised the University's status as one of the largest maritime universities in Europe and the world, expressing her appreciation for its scientific, research, educational, and organisational achievements:

This special occasion is certainly a time to take pride in the vast organisational, research, academic, and public engagement milestones achieved by one of the world's and the European Union's largest maritime universities – an institution steeped in tradition that does great honour to the Polish flag. I extend my warmest congratulations on your achievements so far and wish you every success in educating the next generation of specialists for the global and domestic merchant fleets and the maritime economy.

Words of appreciation for Gdynia Maritime University and its contribution to the development of Polish maritime education were also shared by Dr Arkadiusz Marchewka, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure. His letter, which also referenced the ongoing voyage of the Dar Młodzieży to the United States and highlighted the current progress towards constructing a successor to the sail training frigate, was read out during the ceremony by Wojciech Gąsowski, Director of the Department of Maritime Education at the Ministry of Infrastructure:

On 16 April, exactly 50 years after its illustrious predecessor, the Dar Pomorza, the Dar Młodzieży set sail on a transatlantic voyage to the United States. The voyage marks its upcoming participation in the US 250th anniversary celebrations and the Sail 250 international maritime festival. These symbols of Poland's presence on global maritime routes will soon have a successor; work is underway on the multi-year programme 'Construction of Ships for Maritime Higher Education Institutions 2025–2029'. Three months ago, we signed an agreement establishing the financing rules for the programme in 2026, valued at 131 million PLN, and tasks are currently being carried out to select the shipbuilder for the successor to the Dar Młodzieży.

 

The ceremonial sitting of the Senate culminated in the presentation of medals, decorations, and awards granted by the University Senate and the Rector. These accolades were given in recognition of individuals whose daily work, scientific achievements, and organisational efforts contribute to the development of the University and the strengthening of its position both domestically and internationally.

‘MERITORIOUS’ MEDALS

Rector Professor Adam Weintrit awarded the ‘Meritorious Service to Maritime Education,’ ‘Meritorious Service to Gdynia Maritime University,’ and ‘Meritorious Gdynia Maritime University Staff’ medals to those who contributed to the development of the Gdynia Maritime University and maritime education.

The decoration ‘For Meritorious Service to Maritime Education’ was awarded to Sławomir Rybicki, and Wojciech Gąsowski.

Professor Maria Śmiechowska was honoured with the prestigious distinction ‘For Meritorious Service to Gdynia Maritime University’.

Master Mariner Stanisław Hinz and Mirosław Olendrzyński were presented with the decoration ‘Meritorious Gdynia Maritime Staff’.

SAILS OF SCIENCE

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

CERTIFICATES

The next item on the agenda was the presentation of certificates for the highest-scoring scientific articles published in 2025, awarded by the Deputy Rector for Science, Dr Dariusz Barbucha. The diplomas were awarded to Dr Jędrzej Charłampowicz and Associate Professor Dr Łukasz Janowski.

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. 

CAPTAIN KONSTANTYN MATYJEWICZ-MACIEJEWICZ AWARD FOR BEST GMU TEACHER. 

The award for the Best Academic Teacher at GMU in 2026, as recommended by the Student Parliament, was presented to Associate Professor Dr Monika Szyda of the Faculty of Management and Quality Science.

CONQUEROR OF SEAS AND OCEANS AWARD

The award for individuals who hold the highest degree maritime diploma and achieved significant success in connection with work at sea during the year 2025 was given to Master Mariner Leszek Górecki.

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, as well as the administration. 

HM The Rector also honoured members of staff for 45, 40, 35, 30 and 25 years of service to the University with jubilee awards. 

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MINISTRY OF INFRASTRUCTURE SCHOLARSHIPS

For their outstanding academic achievements, GMU students Filip Falkowski, Kamil Kaczmarek and Kacper Falkiewicz received scholarships awarded by the Minister of Infrastructure.

BADGES OF HONOUR

On the basis of Article 3(7) of the Regulations of the Gdynia Maritime University Guard of Honour of 17 January 2019, the Rector awarded the honorary badge to distinguished members of the Guard of Honour. 

The ceremony came to a close with the retreat of the University banner. The Rector thanked all present for taking part in celebrations of the 106th anniversary of the establishment of Maritime Education in Poland.   

Photos: Cezary Spigarski

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