At the invitation of the Rector of the University of Gdańsk, prof. Piotr Stepnowski, students from the Tri-City Youth Circle of the Workers' Initiative met with the university authorities to discuss the measures being taken by the University of Gdańsk to ensure students have access to affordable, good-quality meals.
At the start of the meeting, the Rector, prof. Piotr Stepnowski, explained the general principles of the university’s funding and the allocation of funds from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. He also outlined the key investments designed to improve student life. These include the extension of Student Hall of Residence no. 9, a major refurbishment of Student Hall of Residence no. 8, and preparations for the construction of a new student complex on the Oliwa Campus. The plans for this development also include catering facilities.
The Chancellor of the University of Gdańsk dr hab. inż. Aneta Oniszczuk, prof. UG outlined the objectives and conditions for the implementation of the central academic canteen project. She also emphasised that students had been involved in the design process for the new halls of residence.
Meanwhile, the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs dr hab. Urszula Patocka-Sigłowy, prof. UG, presented the results of discussions held with representatives of the student councils at individual faculties and spoke about the highly varied needs regarding the availability of meals, arising from the specific nature of degree programmes, modes of study and campus locations. She also provided an update on ongoing discussions regarding the introduction of a ‘cheap soup’ scheme, which could provide additional support for students.
During the meeting, the challenges arising from the specific nature of the University of Gdańsk were also discussed. The academic community is spread across several locations - on the campuses in Gdańsk Oliwa, Sopot and Gdynia, as well as in buildings on Bielańska Street and Kładki Street in Gdańsk. Such a dispersed structure requires varied catering solutions: both large-scale investments and support available close to where students study.
The students also presented the example of the canteen at the Łódź Film School, highlighting it as an interesting solution worth examining. In response, representatives of the University of Gdańsk’s administration undertook to examine how this model operates and the possibility of implementing similar solutions at the University of Gdańsk.
'A good university is not only about high-quality education and research, but also about caring for the day-to-day needs of its community. That is why we are consistently developing student facilities and seeking solutions that will meet students’ real needs,' emphasised the Rector of the University of Gdańsk.
On the initiative of the Rector of the University of Gdańsk, who is also the Chair of the Conference of Rectors of Polish Universities, during a meeting of Vice-Rectors responsible for academic and student affairs at traditional universities, scheduled for early July, there will also be a discussion on possible systemic solutions and talks with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education regarding support for the funding of student meals.
At the end of the meeting, the Rector and the students expressed their willingness to continue the dialogue and cooperation, aiming at increasing the availability of affordable meals for students on the campuses of the University of Gdańsk.