Mieczysław Jurewicz, MSc

Director of the State Maritime School in Gdynia, 1949-1967

Education

Mieczysław Jurewicz was born on 3rd December 1912 in Świętojeziory near Suwałk. He attended the local primary school and the Karol Brzostowski Boys Secondary School In Suwałki, where he passed his matura secondary school exit exams.

In 1931, he began a degree in geography at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of Stefan Batory University in Vilnius. He took part in the work of the Naturalists and Geographers Scientific Circle and for a short time held the role of vice president.

Military Service

In 1935-1936, he completed military service at the School for Artillery Reserve Cadets in Włodzimierz, Wołyń, where he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. After completing his studies in 1937 with a master's in geography, he worked as a Research-and-Teaching Assistant in the Economic Geography Department of the Stefan Batory University, where he took part in geological and anthropological research and lectured on the University’s “Society of Universal Knowledge” course.

In September 1938, he began work as a geography teacher at the Adam Mickiewicz Middle and High School in Nowogrodek. On 10th February 1939, he took part as a delegate of the Nowogrodek county in the welcome ceremony for the ORP Orzel, which was launched in a shipyard in Holland. During the September Campaign, he fought in the Light Artillery Regiment, and after being wounded and hospitalised near Opoczno, he was taken captive by the Germans, spending time in Colditz, Arnswalde and Gross Born prisoner of war camps. He was involved in clandestine education, teaching at a middle school for non-commissioned officers and riflemen, as well as in the Pedagogical Institute.

After being freed from a POW camp, he set up and taught at the Pedagogical Secondary School in Sülfel, which was then moved to the town of Miłosna (Lubomierz from 1947). In September 1948, Mieczysław Jurewicz began work at the Department of Maritime Education and Training at the Ministry of Shipping. He was also involved in developing study programs, courses and cooperation with maritime institutes and organisations.

Director of the State Maritime School in Gdynia 1937 - 1939

In January 1949, he was transferred to the State Maritime School in Gdynia where he held the post of deputy director, and as of 1^st October 1949, director. Beginning in August 1951, he also held the role of director of the State Centre for Maritime Education in Gdynia, during the last few months before it closed down in December of that same year.

During his time as director, Mieczysław Jurewicz extensively extended and modernised the facilities at the State Maritime School, adding new research and teaching buildings (such as specialist workshops, laboratories, and technical facilities). He also improved the school's research and training capabilities by adding two instrument vessels - the Zenit and the Horyzont. Two new faculties were introduced – Maritime Radio Engineering and Maritime Electrical Engineering and, with them, new disciplines.

The director also undertook efforts to minimize the negative effects of the ministry's decision to reduce the school's rank to that of a technical college. In 1958, the State Maritime School was made a technical college of higher education. As of 1967, the School made preparations to be transformed into a higher education establishment. In the same year, the first sitting of the Committee for Maritime Higher School Affairs was held.

Consulate in Antwerp

On 1st October 1967, Mieczysław Jurewicz was named consulate in Antwerp and left his role as director of the school. Upon his return to the country four years later, he taught at the Gdynia Maritime Higher School and the Fish Processing Technical College. During the years 1973-1976, he worked at PLO as an inspector of the Maritime High School in Gdynia. He remained in contact with the Maritime Higher School in Gdynia following his retirement, taking part in the school’s celebrations.

Mieczysław Jurewicz was the author of articles published in the maritime press and the publications of the State Maritime School, such as A Brief History 1920-1965, and was one of the authors of 60 Years of Maritime Education in Gdynia, edited by Professor Daniel Duda.

He was awarded the Gold Cross of Merit, the Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, the National Education Commission Medal, and a Bronze Medal for Service in Defence of the Country.

He died on 28th January in Rumia. His funeral took place in the community cemetery in Rumia and was attended by a delegation from the Maritime Higher School, including Rector Professor Piotr Przybyłowski.