As many as 8 A categories and 13 B+ categories - such was the excellent result of the evaluation appeal process for the University of Gdańsk. - It is with great satisfaction that I have to say that during the last evaluation period, the university's academic community has shown extraordinary commitment and tremendous diligence, as evidenced by the academic categories finally obtained," comments Rector prof. Piotr Stepnowski on the success. 

It should be recalled that the evaluation process covered the years 2017-2021 (a year was added due to the pandemic, which significantly affected the operation of universities). According to the so-called Act 2.0, the category granted to a given scientific discipline not only determines the granting of funding to the units but also has an impact on, among other things, the possibility of awarding degrees, the nature of the university, the possibility of running doctoral schools, independence in the creation of fields of study. To maintain these entitlements, disciplines must have a category of at least a B+.

The results of the evaluation given in August 2022 by the Ministry of Education and Science, awarded the University of Gdańsk 5 A categories, 11 B+ categories and as many as 5 B categories.

- 'These results were far from satisfactory. Both the Rector's and Dean's authorities, as well as the group of people directly involved in the preparation of the applications, knew that we could appeal and fight for higher categories,' - says the Vice-Rector for Research, prof. dr hab. Wiesław Laskowski. - 'Each of the disciplines at the University of Gdańsk has a unique research thread that is recognised internationally. This was overlooked by the evaluation algorithms and this is what we tried to emphasise in the appeal process.'

Very careful preparation of the appeal process, with the participation of members of the committees of individual disciplines, resulted in excellent results. By the decision of the Ministry of Education and Science, as many as three disciplines were upgraded from B+ to A - i.e. chemical sciences, history, philosophy, and all five with a B category were awarded a B+: archaeology, computer science, earth and environmental sciences, management and quality sciences, and political science and administration.

- 'This is a huge success. We have therefore retained full academic rights in all scientific disciplines practised at the University of Gdańsk,' - emphasises the Rector, prof. dr hab. Piotr Stepnowski. - 'The continuous development of research and raising its scientific excellence has recently been a strategic priority for the University of Gdańsk. Alongside a rich and varied educational offer, it is research at the highest level that nowadays determines the prestige of the university. We strive to create the best possible conditions for the scientific development of our staff, and we do not stop looking for additional financial resources to support scientific excellence. It is with great satisfaction that I have to say that during the last evaluation period, the university's academic community has shown extraordinary commitment and great diligence, as evidenced by the academic categories finally obtained.'

Following the announcement of the results last summer, the Rector, in consultation with the Deans of various faculties, introduced remedial plans, which are already being implemented. Indeed, we have already entered the next evaluation process, which will last until the end of 2025.

- 'We are not giving up on corrective measures and supporting the maintenance or advancement of categories,' - says Rector prof. Piotr Stepnowski. - 'This is a prerequisite for maintaining our legitimate aspirations of achieving research university status. I firmly believe that we will soon find ourselves in this group!'

Dr Katarzyna Świerk, Director of the Office of Science, which coordinates the evaluation process at the University of Gdańsk, also emphasises the importance of good results in the evaluation: - 'The results of the quality of scientific activity evaluation confirm the high level of scientific research conducted at our University. Among the 21 scientific disciplines, 8 were awarded category A, the others B+. This means that all existing authorisations to award degrees have been maintained. However, we will not stop in our efforts to achieve scientific excellence and, despite the good results, we will implement remedial programmes. We are keen not only to maintain this level in the future but also to increase the category to A+ where the output of our researchers is already outstanding!'

We asked the deans of the three disciplines that improved their score in the appeals process for comment:

Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry dr hab. Beata Grobelna, prof. UG:

It was with great joy that I received the information about the awarded category A for the discipline of chemical sciences. Obtaining such a high category was possible thanks to world-class scientific research conducted mostly with external funds. The result of the evaluation is mainly due to the employees of the Faculty of Chemistry, who with full commitment and diligence conduct research at the highest level, often at the expense of their private lives. At this point, I would like to thank the chairman of the Council of the Chemical Sciences discipline, prof. Zbigniew Kaczyński, for efficiently leading the chemical sciences discipline through the evaluation process and for his full involvement in the appeal process. In the discipline of chemical sciences, competition is very high, so you cannot stop even for a moment, you have to work all the time not to be left behind.

Dean of WNS dr hab. Michał Harciarek, prof. UG:

As a scientific discipline, in recent years Philosophy at WNS UG has made tremendous progress in terms of the internationalisation of its work, which is reflected in the evaluation results and the awarding of an A category to Philosophy. This is, of course, the result of hard work by the entire research and teaching staff from the Institute of Philosophy, as well as the Discipline Council itself, chaired by prof. Natasha Szutta. To Prof. Natasha Szutta, I, therefore, offer my heartfelt congratulations and am delighted that this joint effort of the staff of the Institute of Philosophy has been recognised. This is a great and definitely well-deserved success!

Dean of the Faculty of History dr hab. Arkadiusz Janicki, prof. UG:

Four scientific disciplines are represented at the UG Faculty of History. We consider the final result of the evaluation of scientific disciplines as very satisfactory for the Faculty and well reflecting our position in Polish science. Two disciplines: History and Art Sciences received an "A" category, and the other two, i.e. Cultural and Religious Sciences and Archaeology, received a "B+" category. This success is due to the collective efforts of all faculty members who have translated their talent, knowledge and commitment into scientifically relevant publications and research projects, which have been recognised in the disciplinary evaluation process. Certainly, our aspirations are greater and I am sure we will not rest on our laurels. We will continue our efforts to increase the number of prestigious scientific publications, win research grants more effectively and carry out research projects with a broad impact on the socioeconomic environment. I would like to thank the staff, the chairpersons of the discipline councils and especially the Vice-Dean for Science and International Cooperation WH - dr hab. Anna Mazurkiewicz, prof. UG for their efforts so far and I hope for further intensive work for the benefit of the Faculty of History. The next evaluation of scientific disciplines is coming soon and we must prepare well for it.