Development Strategy for Gdynia Maritime University 2024-2028

Motto: "The sea is the answer to your dreams". — Ernest Hemingway

Mission

Gdynia Maritime University is an institution with 100 years of tradition. The University's development over the years has enabled the creation of a distinctive research centre and expert base, which actively influences the socio-economic environment, conducting scientific research, providing top-level education, and supporting the creation of an innovation-based economy, particularly in the broadly understood maritime sector, well-prepared to face the challenges of the digital and green transformation.

In response to the economic needs of the country and the region, GMU fosters among its students, doctoral candidates, and staff attitudes characterised by entrepreneurship and respect for the principles of sustainable development, taking into account economic, social, and environmental aspects. The University plays an advisory role in educational affairs, the maritime economy, and the training of maritime personnel.

The University's fundamental values are truth and honesty in science and education, the close link of the education process with the needs of the socio-economic environment, innovativeness and openness to the needs of individual entities and society.

In its activities, GMU is guided by universal human values: the dignity and freedom of the individual, social equality, solidarity, and tolerance, all of which support academic development and a culture of collaboration.

The University's Main Strategic Goals

Education

Further development of a unique educational profile for the training of professionals for the maritime economy, aimed at shaping the country's future intellectual elite, through the cultivation of maritime traditions and respect for GMU's values. This includes the strong integration of education with the University's socio-economic environment, technological progress, the principles of sustainable development, and current socio-economic needs, as well as the developmental priorities of Poland and the European Union - particularly in the areas of maritime transport and offshore renewable energy. It also aligns with the priorities of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU), and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in addressing global challenges related to safe, modern, and low-emission shipping.

Scientific Research

GMU is committed to continuously enhancing the quality of scientific research in priority areas that underpin its national and international recognition. This includes strengthening and developing research teams, expanding research infrastructure, increasing the effectiveness of securing external funding for research, and supporting the academic development of both academic staff and doctoral candidates through a system of quality-enhancing measures.

Internationalisation

Continuation and intensification of the process of internationalisation of the University, including further internationalisation of education and development of cooperation with international universities. Strengthening efforts aimed at maintaining GMU's position as a global leader among maritime universities. This includes active participation in the work of maritime organisations and associations such as the IMO, EMSA, and IAMU, as well as involvement in international research and educational projects and initiatives supporting the maritime economy.

Social and Economic Cooperation

The continuous development of the University as a centre for R&D teams and expert resources capable of meeting the challenges of the socio-economic environment - particularly the broadly defined maritime economy - as well as the advancement of the University's technological capital, ultimately increasing its role in knowledge transfer to the economy and the commercialisation of research results.

The University's strategic objectives are pursued at the local, national, and international levels, with both regional and global scope.

Areas in which the principal strategic objectives are realised

Education

1. Direct educational objectives:

1.1. PExpanding the range of education programmes offered in both Polish and English, using modern teaching methods, formats, and tools that respond to the needs and demands of a rapidly changing world and labour market - including those driven by digital transformation - while taking into account regional and global challenges, as well as processes related to the energy transition and sustainable development.

1.2. Further improvement in the quality and effectiveness of teaching.

1.3. Integrating teaching with scientific research, innovation, and expert activities undertaken by the academic faculty.

1.4. Improving the level of interest of international candidates in education programmes offered by GMU at every academic level, including within the Doctoral School.

Direct educational objectives are implemented through specific actions, including operational tasks defined by the Rector and heads of organisational units, which include:

See the list of actions:

1.1.1. Achieving positive programme evaluations from the Polish Accreditation Committee (PKA).

1.1.2. Training maritime professionals at the operational and management levels in accordance with the STCW convention, as well as training higher-level personnel for the land-based sector of the maritime economy, taking into account processes resulting from the energy transition both domestically and internationally, as well as new technological, organisational, and legal challenges.

1.1.3. Intensifying efforts to expand the offer of English-language programmes across all University faculties, particularly in maritime-related fields and the Doctoral School.

1.1.4. Launching first-cycle engineering degrees and second-cycle degree programmes in Computer Science, with a focus on technical computer science and telecommunications, tailored to the needs of the modern maritime economy and the development of IT solutions.

1.1.5. Continuing existing postgraduate degree programmes and preparing new ones that address the socio-economic needs of the maritime economy in the context of the digital and green transformation, including in English.

1.1.6. Continuing the Executive Wind Offshore MBA programme and developing another MBA programme dedicated to challenges related to the green and digital transformation.

1.1.7. Preparing and launching a first-cycle engineering degree programme in English in Electromobility and Renewable Energy Sources.

1.2.1. Taking action to implement, update, and continuously utilise innovative IT tools in the educational process as a response to the digital transformation.

1.2.2. Creating effective quality-enhancing mechanisms in teaching.

1.2.3. Further improving the unique education model, in which practical training on the University's training ships is a key element for students preparing for maritime careers to gain professional and social skills and competencies.

1.2.4. Developing the teaching competencies of academic staff in the use of new tools and forms of education, as well as creating conditions to support the awarding of maritime diplomas to University staff and students.

1.3.1. Involving people from the socio-economic environment, including maritime industry practitioners with non-academic experience, in the educational process, such as through tutoring and mentoring, in order to improve the curriculum and support students in finding attractive places for internships and work placements.

1.3.2. Improving the quality of education through the academic development of staff by intensifying cooperation with international partners to form strong research consortia and jointly apply for grants within European programmes and IAMU.

1.4.1. Intensifying cooperation with maritime universities in Europe and worldwide, mainly within the framework of IAMU.

1.4.2. Recruiting doctoral candidates from foreign research centres.

Scientific Research

2. Direct Scientific Research Objectives

2.1. Achieving the highest possible scientific categories in the leading academic disciplines at GMU and those subject to evaluation of the quality of scientific activity in 2026 and subsequent evaluation periods.

2.2. Increasing the effectiveness in obtaining external funding for scientific research conducted at GMU, as well as creating more efficient mechanisms for managing the available financial resources in the area of scientific research and development.

2.3. Intensifying efforts to strengthen the recognition of GMU as a scientific centre and a leader in research both nationally and internationally, while further increasing its scientific potential and the quality of research activity at the University, particularly in the area of the maritime economy.

Direct objectives in the field of science are implemented through specific actions, including operational tasks established by the Rector and the heads of organisational units of GMU, including:

See the list of actions:

Internationalisation

3. Direct internationalisation objectives::

3.1. Development and implementation of the University's internationalisation strategy.

3.2. Increase the number of international GMU students and the number of research and teaching staff conducting lessons as part of academic exchanges.

3.3. Increase the number of international staff regularly conducting lectures and forming part of GMU research teams, particularly as visiting professors.

3.4. Intensification of activities carried out by GMU teams as part of international partnerships.

Direct objectives in internationalisation are implemented through specific actions, including operational tasks established by the Rector and the heads of organisational units of GMU, including:

See the list of actions:

Social and Economic Cooperation

4. Direct objectives in collaboration with the socio-economic environment:

4.1. Establishment of a virtual R&D hub tasked with forming temporary, task-oriented R&D teams for entrepreneurs, particularly for the implementation of R&D and R&D Infrastructure modules within research projects.

4.2. Enhancing GMU's effectiveness in building research teams in collaboration with national and international partners capable of conducting joint research and development activities and commercialising their outcomes - particularly through the development of a sector-specific cooperation ecosystem focused on the green and blue economies.

4.3. Supporting student and doctoral initiatives, academic entrepreneurship, and the development of the Academic Innovation Incubator within the structure of the Technology Transfer Centre.

Direct objectives in the development of collaboration with the socio-economic environment are implemented through specific actions, including operational tasks set by the Rector and heads of GMU organisational units:.

See the list of actions:

Direct objectives in the realisation of the strategic goals connected with:

University structure:

Adapting the University's structure to align with its objectives, tasks, needs, and the development of educational, scientific, and socio-economic cooperation processes, including international collaboration.
Establishing the newly formed Faculty of Computer Science, including the definition and development of its key research areas, tailored to the needs of the modern maritime economy and education in advanced IT technologies.
Modifying the existing student recruitment system for domestic applicants and adapting the recruitment process to meet the expectations of international candidates.
Continuing efforts toward the University's digital transformation, including the digitisation of selected processes, implementation of IT systems supporting University management in key areas, and the monitoring and introduction of effective mechanisms to ensure the security of IT solutions used at GMU.

Promotion of the University:

Establishment of a Rectoral Commission for University Promotion.
Increasing the number of applicants across all faculties by intensifying promotional activities and implementing effective mechanisms to adapt educational programmes to labour market needs.
Promoting the University among school pupils, teachers, and career advisors through the organisation of open days, events for final-year secondary school students, and participation in education fairs.
Developing and implementing a brand promotion plan for GMU and further strengthening the University's positive image both nationally and internationally. Intensifying the University's promotional activities abroad by launching effective mechanisms for recruiting international students.
Promoting the University's R&D offering and research services through participation in industry fairs, press materials, and dedicated websites.
Promoting and popularising science through the presentation of research achievements and innovations by University staff, doctoral candidates, and students - particularly in cooperation with institutions involved in science communication.

Working Environment:

Creation of staff development policy, including career progression paths for non-teaching staff.
Consolidation of the University's image as a welcoming place for work in the region.
Continuing the transformation of the University environment into a place for the international exchange of ideas, knowledge, and culture, focused on diversity.
Building a culture of excellence and employee engagement at the University through a system of motivational incentives.
Involving employees in the process of shaping the work environment through a dedicated employee budget.
Integration of the GMU staff through the organisation of celebratory, cultural, and sporting events.
Appointment of a Plenipotentiary for Equality.

Infrastructure and Resources:

Initialisation and preparation of an investment project for the construction of a new Student Residence, preparation of its financial plan, and initiation of the building process.
Expansion and modernisation of laboratories, acquisition and maintenance of specialised research equipment enabling advanced scientific work and the provision of specialised and comprehensive research services for entities from within the socio-economic environment.
Further integration of the GMU Maritime Institute with the GMU Centre for the Offshore Industry and the purchase of apparatus and equipment for the Centre.
Development of the concept, securing funding, and commencing the construction of a successor to the training ship Dar Młodzieży and a new training and research vessel to succeed the ships Horyzont II and IMOR.
Acquisition of funds, development of the concept and construction of the headquarters of the IT Centre at GMU and a building for the Faculty of Computer Science.
Appointment of a consortium and initiation of work connected with the construction of an Underwater Acoustics Centre in Gdynia.
Preparation and implementation of a concept for ensuring the continued functioning of GMU in the event of a power outage.