The Rector of the University of Gdańsk, prof. Piotr Stepnowski has been elected the President of the Conference of Rectors of Polish Universities. This is the first time in the history of the University of Gdańsk that a Rector of our university has held this position.

CRPU is an autonomous assembly of rectors of national universities established in 1989. KRUP prepares and presents opinions and positions on issues important for the development of Polish science, higher education, culture and education, cooperating with the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland. There are 21 HEIs that belong to the CRPU.

The term of office of the CRPU Presidium lasts four years. Never before has the Rector of the University of Gdańsk headed the organisation.

Today - 28.06.2024. - KRUP members at a meeting at the Warsaw School of Economics unanimously elected the Rector of the University of Gdańsk, prof. dr hab. Piotr Stepnowski, to this position. His deputies in the presidium are: Rector of the University of Silesia prof. Ryszard Koziołek and Rector of the University of Warmia and Mazury prof. Jerzy Przyborowski.

'The term ahead of us is full of challenges - higher education is facing changes announced by the Ministry, as well as those resulting from social and economic developments. The Ministry has announced changes to the law, we are witnessing a decline in the number of students after a slight surge in the number of students, and we are also facing a prospect of rising prices for utilities. There isalso a new, completely different generation entering universities,' says Rector prof. Piotr Stepnowski. 'We must be prepared for these changes. And to speak about them in one confident voice. Developing common positions on various issues, cooperation, mutual support and discussion - this is what the Conference of Rectors of Polish Universities serves.'

The CRPU also forms five advisory committees chaired by the Vice-Rectors: the University Finance Committee, the University Science Committee, the Inter-University Informatisation Centre, the University Education Committee and the University Internationalisation Committee.

The Rector, prof. Piotr Stepnowski has been appointed as Chairman of the CRPU for the term 2024 - 2028.