Fulfilling the mission of cooperation for the development of scientific potential and strengthening the position of Gdańsk as a strong, international academic centre in the field of scientific research and modern education, the founding members of the Fahrenheit University in Gdańsk signed an agreement on the establishment of the 'Fahrenheit University' community and cooperation in the creation of the 'Fahrenheit University' federation. The ceremony took place on March 17 in Dwór Artusa in Gdańsk.

The event was attended by the rectors: prof. Marcin Gruchała (GUMed), prof. Krzysztof Wilde (PG) and prof. Piotr Stepnowski (UG). Also present were the director of the FarU, prof. Adriana Zaleska-Medynska, together with her deputy - Katarzyna Zygmunt, who conducted the ceremony, as well as representatives of local authorities, who from the beginning have kindly supported joint activities of the three largest universities in Pomerania. The academic communities of GUMed, PG and UG were accompanied by the Pomeranian Voivode Dariusz Drelich, the Marshal of Pomeranian Voivodeship Mieczysław Struk and the Deputy Mayor of Gdańsk Alan Aleksandrowicz.

At the outset, the Chair of the Assembly, prof. Krzysztof Wilde asked everyone to honour prof. Tadeusz Dmochowski, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the UG, who had passed away the previous night, with a one-minute silence. He then read out commemorative letters sent by the Minister of Education and Science, Przemysław Czarnek, and the Deputy Minister of Health, Piotr Bromber. As the Minister of Education stressed, "close cooperation within the Daniel Fahrenheit University creates favourable conditions for the consolidated centres to compete with the best European and worldwide universities. It also directly translates into raising the quality of Polish science and higher education".

- 'I am particularly impressed with the activities undertaken to date within the framework of trade union cooperation between the region's strongest universities. I'm thinking in particular about projects implemented in cooperation with the Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway and the Gdańsk Economic Development Agency, as well as a successful debut at the largest technology conference in Central and Eastern Europe - Infoshare. I am convinced that the agreement signed today will open new opportunities for Gdańsk universities and will become a solid foundation in the process of building a strong scientific centre,' - Minister Przemysław Czarnek stated in his letter.

Piotr Bromber, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Health, expressed his deep support for the extensive cooperation between the Fahrenheit Universities.

- 'Thanks to closer cooperation, the Universities will have (...) a better opportunity to implement new forms of education, and the student and PhD student self-governments of the Universities will find it easier to cooperate on various initiatives,' - said Deputy Minister Piotr Bromber. - 'I believe that the actions taken will soon lead to the creation of the first federation of HEIs in our country. I wish to express my conviction that the initiative of the universities in Gdańsk will be a model for other entities of the system of higher education and science to tighten cooperation.'

The Rector of PG, prof. Krzysztof Wilde, presented the aims and values of the established Community, indicating the most important ones.

- 'Our Community draws on the academic traditions of Gdańsk which date back to the times of our patron, Daniel Fahrenheit. We cultivate common values such as the dignity of the individual, social equality, interpersonal solidarity, tolerance, equal treatment of diversity and social inclusion,' - explained Rector Krzysztof Wilde. - 'By promoting cooperation for freedom, including the freedom of science, we wish to act to improve the living conditions of present and future generations.'

The floor was then taken by prof. Adriana Zaleska-Medynska, director of the Fahrenheit University, who briefly outlined the main activities of the 22 inter-university teams established to develop consolidation scenarios. The most important initiatives included a scholarship programme funded by Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk, and cooperation with the Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway concerning its extension to include a new line connecting downtown Gdańsk with its southern districts and the neighbouring communes of Pruszcz Gdański, Kolbudy and Żukowo.

- 'The key element in scientific research is research infrastructure, so to make it easier for teams from our three universities to use this base, we have made an inventory of key research equipment. An important project is the joint purchase of a library system, which will not only allow the introduction of a single library card but also reduce the cost of purchasing the system. Work is in progress on the establishment of intercollegiate postgraduate courses. They aim to improve the competencies, knowledge and skills of students, which will be used to mitigate the impact of human activity on the formation of the so-called anthropogenic greenhouse effect and to adapt cities to climate change,' - enumerated prof. Zaleska-Medynska.

The director of FarU also announced the upcoming events, including the Fahrenheit Day celebrations in May and the Science Picnic at the Hevelianum, in September a joint integration weekend for first-year students combined with an exploration of Gdańsk and finally - a joint official opening of the next academic year with a march through the city. 

In the end, words to the Fahrenheit University community were addressed by the guests of honour of the ceremony - the Governor, the Marshal and the Deputy Mayor of Gdańsk.

- 'This initiative is important not only for our region, for Gdańsk, but also for Poland. We need developmental impulses, which are given to us by the three largest Pomeranian universities. (...) We Poles, despite differences, can unite around common issues. This is the case with aid for war-torn Ukraine and its inhabitants. The same is true in the case of higher education, in matters related to science, education and ideas (...),' - said Pomeranian Voivode Dariusz Drelich.

As the Marshal added, creating a community is always a long-term process and it never really ends.

- 'When we speak of community, however, we think first of all of the values. Today, in the face of the terrible war in Ukraine, the values on which the Fahrenheit community is to be based takes on particular significance. Freedom, truth, solidarity, tolerance, social inclusion and affirmation of diversity. These are the values that also bind our Pomeranian community together and make it open to those in need,' - said Marshal Mieczysław Struk.

The Marshal also thanked the universities and the whole Pomeranian academic community for the extensive support given to thousands of refugees seeking refuge from Ukraine, especially Ukrainian students.

- 'I have a sense of deep satisfaction and pride that the Fahrenheit community before it was formally constituted, has already passed the test of commitment to the values that are its foundation,' - added Marshal Mieczysław Struk in conclusion.

The Mayor of Gdańsk Aleksandra Dulkiewicz was represented by Deputy Mayor Alan Aleksandrowicz.

- 'Strong universities mean a strong region and a strong city. Today, when for two years we have been facing a pandemic, and now a war in Ukraine, just across our eastern border, we need community. This community in every dimension, and especially the community of universities,' - said Vice Mayor Adam Aleksandrowicz. - 'Above all, I wish you every success on the road to the federation to Fahrenheit University. Not only these three universities but also the next ones that will join the community.'