Gdynia Maritime University GMU

Japan is currently hosting EXPO 2025. The global exhibition is being held on the man-made island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay. Taking part in the event are members of staff from the Gdynia Maritime University.

As part of the exhibition, during Poland Sea Day, organised on 21 July 2025, a conference entitled 'One Voice for the Sea' took place with the participation of experts from Poland, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Portugal.

The conference was opened by Arkadiusz Marchewka, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure, who in his opening address emphasised that "the sea knows no limits. It is our shared heritage and shared responsibility".  

GMU Maritime Institute staff gave the following presentations:

• Planning the Baltic Future: Sectors, Conflicts, and Priorities - Magdalena Matczak, Economics and Spatial Policy Department
• Baltic Sea Research and Protection - Anna Barańska, Water Ecology Department
• Offshore Wind in Poland: Potential and Environmental Responsibility - Juliusz Gajewski, Operational Oceanography Department

Two members of staff, Agnieszka Kalbarczyk and Piotr Treichel, also presented academic papers.

During the conference, there were also discussion panels led by Olga Sarna (Fundacja Mare). The panellists were: Tiago Pitta e Cunhra (Portugal), Yusuke Saraya (Japan), Hamed Albalawi (Saudi Arabia).

Workshops were also held, and among the attractions worth mentioning were a virtual tour of the University of Gdańsk's research vessel R/V Oceanograf and a photo exhibition on board the STS Generał Zaruski. University of Gdańsk students also led a debate entitled 'The Sea in Science – the Past which is the Future'.

In the EXPO 2025 pavilion, a cooperation agreement was signed between Gdynia Maritime University and the Faculty of Maritime Studies at Kobe University. This partnership will enable closer international cooperation in scientific research and education in the marine sciences. The agreement also envisages the exchange of students and researchers.

The agreement was signed by the Dean of the Faculty of Maritime Studies, Professor Katsutoshi Hirayama, and on behalf of HM The Rector of Gdynia Maritime University, Professor Krzysztof Czaplewski, Director of the GMU Maritime Institute.

Also taking part in the signing were Arkadiusz Marchewka, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure; Paweł Milewski, Polish Ambassador to Japan; Marcin Grabowski, Director General in the Ministry of Infrastructure; and the Ministry of Infrastructure delegation attending EXPO 2025.

Kobe University was represented by Professor Matthew John Rooks, Director of the Social Outreach International Affairs Committee. Also taking part in the event was Marta Zielińska – Deputy Commissioner General of the Polish Section of EXPO 2025, Osaka, Kansai.

'Poland Sea Day' closed with a concert by the Maritime University of Technology choir.