The first meeting of this year's Fahrenheit University Assembly was held on March 3, 2022, at the Medical University of Gdańsk. The meeting was attended by representatives of all FarU member universities. GUMed, the Gdańsk University of Technology and the University of Gdańsk headed by the rectors: prof. Marcin Gruchała, prof. Krzysztof Wilde and prof. Piotr Stepnowski, as well as prof. Adriana Zaleska-Medynska, the director of Fahrenheit University with her deputy Katarzyna Zygmunt. Also present were the presidents of the university councils - prof. Maciej Duszczyk (UG) and Sławomir Halbryt (PG). The meeting was also attended by prof. Michał Markuszewski, Vice-Rector for Science of the Medical University of Gdańsk and plenipotentiary of the Rector of the Medical University of Gdańsk for the Universities' Union.
The most important topics discussed during the meeting were the presentations of previous activities undertaken by the FarU, plans for its promotion in the following year, its financial results, and the planned signing of a framework agreement, which will define the future image of the Union's structure and guidelines for its cooperation with local government authorities.
Discussing FarU's promotional activities plan for 2022, Justyna Borkowska, Head of the Promotion Department and Press Office of the Gdańsk University of Technology, presented plans to organise several thematic events. Among them were the Students' Days, the Science Picnic, the Fahrenheit Welcome Week, and the opening ceremony of the 2022/2023 academic year. The preparation of science podcasts and a competition for student scientific clubs were also planned.
The part of the meeting devoted to finances focused on discussing the reports for the 2020/2021 financial year. These showed a good financial performance of FarU during the period in question. Following their presentation, the Fahrenheit University Assembly in turn took decisions on further ways of financing the organisation's activities based on funds from individual member universities.
In conclusion, prof. Adriana Zaleska-Medynska presented the initiatives FarU has been involved in so far and those planned for the near future. These include:
- Fahrenheit scholarships (in cooperation with the Mayor of Gdańsk),
- a system for sharing information about key research apparatus,
- Railway to the South competition (in cooperation with the Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway),
- organisation of Innovation Days in 2022-2025,
- establishment of the Interuniversity Institute for the Development of Public Space,
- research and planning support for local authorities in the creation of seaside resorts,
- participation in the Gdańsk Scientific Society Jubilee celebrations,
- modernisation of the library system,
- business cooperation with various entities,
- organisation of post-graduate studies.
The Fahrenheit University Assembly is one of the most important events shaping its further policy and functioning. Decisions made during the meeting are consulted with representatives of the community of all three member universities, and are aimed at the continuous development of the Fahrenheit University.
