On Thursday, November 4th, the Gdansk University of Technology hosted the first of three debates for academic communities, entitled 'Why do we need the Farenheit Universities' Union?', which was attended by the Union's authorities: the rectors of GUMed, PG and UG and the Union's director, prof. Adriana Zaleska-Medynska. Other guests invited to the event included Dariusz Drelich, Voivode of Pomerania, Mieczysław Struk, Marshall of Pomerania, and Alan Aleksandrowicz, Vice-President of Gdańsk.
- 'Meeting in such a group shows that we want to walk together, and the debate will help us answer the questions: where to and why?' - prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of the Gdańsk University of Technology and Chairman of the Assembly of the Fahrenheit Universities Association, said in his welcome speech. - 'I am convinced that the values we share will allow us to jointly change and shape the academic strength of our region. Together, we can do more, both in terms of values and organisation. I would like to thank the provincial governor, the marshal and the mayor, i.e. the people who manage the voivodeship and our city, both for coming here and for supporting our idea.'.
Prof. Adriana Zeleska-Medynska from the University of Gdańsk, the director of the Fahrenheit Universities Union, then talked about the benefits stemming from the consolidation of the universities and about the activities that have already been undertaken or are planned as part of the Union.
- 'The first year of activity of the Daniel Fahrenheit Universities Union was very intensive, full of challenges and initiatives,' - said the director of FarU. - 'I would like to remind you that the main objective of the Union is to consolidate the activities of the three universities and to prepare them for possible federalization. Establishing a federation means joint evaluation of our scientific units while preserving full autonomy of the entities forming the federation. This is a multi-stage process, spread over several years, and consolidation will be carried out gradually and in jointly defined areas.'.
In her presentation, prof. Adriana Zaleska - Medynska also showed how the consolidation process will allow for the creation of a strong academic centre, recognised nationally and internationally.
- 'Based on expert analyses performed by Elsevier, we already know that combining our activities would allow our joint research unit to be ranked third in Poland, and also to fight for a high position among the top 1000 universities in the world. The prestige of a university and its higher position in the rankings mean higher funding and better access to funds: for example, grants awarded based on algorithms, projects or international funds, as well as better access to information or greater political influence through advisory bodies. It also means greater attractiveness for staff and students,' - emphasised the director of the Union.
Joint projects implemented between the universities and in cooperation with local authorities in the first year of the Association's activities were also discussed. So far, an inventory of key research apparatus and laboratories has been made, and a system is currently being prepared, which will make information on specialist equipment available to the employees of our three universities, as well as to external institutions. An agreement was also signed between the three universities and the Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway on the preparation of analyses, expert opinions and opinions for the implementation of the project entitled 'Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway - stage II'. The universities presented their scientific and research potential under a common banner during Infoshare - the largest technology conference in Central and Eastern Europe.
Voivode, Marshal and Vice Mayor on the Association of Fahrenheit Universities
Dariusz Drelich, Pomeranian Voivode, addressed the academic community in his speech: - 'Gdańsk University of Technology, which is the host of the meeting, Gdańsk Medical University and University of Gdańsk, are the showcase of Pomerania. We are proud that these universities provide a high scientific and didactic level. The Union of Fahrenheit Universities project is a community agreement and our common intention is to look for such solutions, actions and ideas that will increase, strengthen and consolidate this common potential.'.
- 'The establishment of the Union is one of the most important events in the academic history of the city of Gdańsk, opening the way to a future federation of the strongest universities in the region,' - said Mieczysław Struk, Marshall of the Pomeranian voivodship. - 'I am convinced that thanks to such decisions, we will soon be able to compete with the best academic centres in Europe and the world, and Pomerania will become the most friendly and beautiful place to live for the young and the old.'.
Alan Aleksandrowicz, the Vice Mayor of Gdańsk, spoke about the benefits for the city resulting from the establishment and activity of the Union: - 'People and dynamically developing economy are needed for the agglomeration to develop. The stronger the centre, the more we, in a visible way, feel the positive effects. Metropolises are now competing fiercely for both employers and entrepreneurs, as well as for the residents themselves. The combined strength of integrated universities will result in an influx of students and an increase in the transfer of knowledge and scientific achievements. This will contribute to the development of many important sectors of the economy. In this way, Gdańsk's universities will influence the whole social and economic environment, just as the world's largest universities do now.'.
Debate with the rectors of GUMed, PG and UG and the director of the FarU
In the second part of the meeting, the rectors of the three universities: prof. Marcin Gruchała, rector of GUMed, prof. Piotr Stepnowski, rector of UG and prof. Krzysztof Wilde, rector of PG, together with the director of the Association, prof. Adriana Zaleska-Medynska took part in a debate led and moderated by Maciej Dzwonnik, spokesman of PG. They answered questions that every representative of the academic community could send in before the debate via a special form, and then there was also an opportunity to ask questions from the floor.
Earlier in the event, the audience was invited to take part in an interactive quiz, illustrating the sentiments and expectations for closer collaboration between universities. They were asked about the main expectations for consolidation, but also about concerns and the types of tasks that should be prioritised within the Union. Those taking part in the quiz identified higher international recognition and ranking position of the universities as the biggest advantage, while the fears included the loss of identity of individual centres and the complexity of administrative procedures.
- 'Nowadays, scientific research is carried out in large multidisciplinary teams,' - emphasised prof. Marcin Gruchała, rector of GUMed. - 'This is the only sensible direction for us and the consolidation process is therefore very necessary. The results of the just conducted survey have shown us how important it is to create a strong, recognisable brand and to integrate our activities. But to create this strength, we need to be together.'.
- 'We are reaching the point where the individual development of the university simply runs out,' - commented prof. Piotr Stepnowski, rector of UG. - 'Therefore, if we think about further development, this consolidation is simply necessary.'.
The rectors also stressed that the academic community should not be afraid of losing its identity and reducing the autonomy of individual universities. - 'It will depend on us when and where we want to appear together as a Union, which, however, will not affect our separate positions and autonomous self-determination,' - explained prof. Piotr Stepnowski.
Further debates will take place at the Medical University of Gdańsk (November 18) and the University of Gdańsk (December 9). More information and registration forms are available here.
During the debate, the authorities of the Association also declared their willingness to sign a framework agreement on the creation of a Fahrenheit University Community between the Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk University of Technology and University of Gdańsk. The content of the agreement will still be subject to consultations with the academic community of each university.
You are welcome to watch the whole debate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfUGYYWMU1A
Photos: Krzysztof Krzempek/PG