The Rector, prof. dr hab. Piotr Stepnowski, began the meeting of the Senate of the University of Gdańsk by congratulating prof. dr hab. Krzysztof Liberk, who had recently received the so-called Polish Nobel Prize at a gala ceremony of the Foundation for Polish Science.
The Senate then adopted the agenda.
The next point on the agenda was chaired by Vice-Rector dr hab. Arnold Kłonczyński, prof. UG: the Senators gave their opinion on the candidacy of prof. Piotr Stepnowski for Rector of the University of Gdańsk for the term of 2024-2028, presented by dr hab. Urszula Patocka-Sigłowy, prof. UG: ‘The Rector should build a diverse team, an academic community. I could go on for a very long time recalling the events that have taken place at UG in recent months and years, but we were all, we are all observers, participants,' said prof. Urszula Patocka-Sigłowy. ‘All that we have participated in would not have been possible without the right leader, boss, supervisor. Professor Piotr Stepnowski aptly identifies the source of his authority, his leadership - for some, he is an expert, for others, he is a certain role model. Prof. Piotr Stepnowski greatly appreciates what is important for our entire community, he implements various management techniques, participatory techniques, and not only in the form of consultation. What is important to me, but also important to you, is communication effectiveness. He is a demanding interlocutor, and, at the same time, a person who hears, listens, and helps to reach an understanding,' she added.
The Senate voted as follows: 44 in favour, 1 against, and 5 abstentions. The senators thus recommended the candidate to the University Council, which will consider the application tomorrow (Friday, December 15, 2023).
The Rector thanked them for their positive opinion on the nomination.
The Senate approved the applications for the position of university professor at the University of Gdańsk:
- the application for employment of dr hab. Michał Studziński was presented by the Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, prof. dr hab. Piotr Bojarski,
- an application for the employment of dr hab. Łukasz Rudnicki was presented by the Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Information Technology, prof. Piotr Bojarski,
- an application for the employment of dr hab. Joanna Świętej-Musznicka was presented by the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, prof. dr hab. Dariusz Szlachetko,
- a motion to employ dr hab. Ana Belen-Sainz at the International Centre for Quantum Technologies was presented by the Centre's Director, prof. Marek Żukowski.
Next, the Senate adopted a resolution on the composition of the Convention of Dignitaries of Honour of the University of Gdańsk for the period up to the end of the 2020-2024 term. Prof. dr hab. Janina Ciechanowicz-McLean (Faculty of Law and Administration), who retired, was replaced by prof. dr hab. Jerzy Zajadło (also from the Faculty of Law and Administration), who had already sat on the Convention in previous terms from 2008 to 2020.
The next on the agenda were two resolutions - referred jointly by prof. dr hab. Mirosław Przylipiak - on the appointment of dr hab. Marcin Kaleciński, prof. UG, and prof. Giovanna Perini Folesani as supervisors for the preparation of mgr. Izabela Mai's doctoral dissertation in the humanities. As explained by Vice-Rector prof. dr hab. Wiesław Laskowski, this appointment was on the Senate's agenda due to the fact that this is a doctoral thesis in more than one field.
In the next item on the agenda, the Senate voted in favour of the motion referred to by the Rector, which was the Senate's agreement to oblige the University of Gdańsk to make its contribution in the form of a loan (with an interest rate of 2.5 per cent) for the Green University project, which is largely subsidised by the Provincial Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Gdańsk. The project concerns the modernisation of the district heating system in the Faculties of Management and Economics buildings in Sopot. The project aims to connect to the district heating network and to stop heating with gas, which is very expensive.
A draft resolution of the UG Senate amending Resolution No. 30/23 of the UG Senate on the conditions and procedure for recruitment of candidates for full-time and part-time studies at the University of Gdańsk in the academic year 2024/2025 was presented by the Vice-Rector, prof. Arnold Kłonczyński. Four new fields of study were included starting from the academic year 2024/2025:
- full-time second-cycle studies in Environmental Law and Sustainable Development conducted by the Faculty of Law and Administration;
- full-time second-cycle studies in Global Studies, led by the Faculty of Social Sciences;
- full-time second-cycle studies in International Financial Law conducted by the Faculty of Law and Administration;
- full-time first-cycle studies in Design of Historical Games conducted by the Faculty of History.
The latter point was addressed by the Dean of the Faculty of History, dr hab. Arkadiusz Janicki, prof. UG, who pointed out that the Design of Historical Games course is intended to prepare specialists educated in the cultural sector with a particular focus on the games industry.
As added by Vice-Rector prof. Arnold Kłonczyński, language editing was also introduced in some existing programmes.
A resolution was also adopted on establishing curricula for degree programmes conducted at the University of Gdańsk concerning the appendices - a list of Olympiads taken into account in the recruitment process.
Referring to the next item - a draft resolution of the UG Senate on establishing the programme of post-graduate studies conducted at the University of Gdańsk, the Vice-Rector, prof. Arnold Kłonczyński pointed out that some of them had to be modified, and some might have to be transformed into courses.
The Senate also accepted the donation - i.e. the free use of the Argus programme, after which it approved the minutes of the University of Gdańsk Senate meeting of October 26, 2023.
In the final item – other matters and free motions - the Rector spoke about the establishment of a separate ministry for higher education and his efforts to meet with the new minister.
‘The minister has announced increases, but we do not yet know which group they will cover, and we do not know the details,’ the Rector said. ‘We are hoping for funding for renovations (e.g. WMFiI). The Minister also announced funding for the modernisation of student halls of residence. Today, everything we do in this respect is done with our own funds. There will also be changes in evaluation, above all, changes to the list of scoring journals,’ added the Rector.
Vice-Rector prof. Arnold Kłonczyński informed that our project prepared within the framework of the Education for the Economy programme has reached the final stage and we hope that this time it will receive funding.
Piotr Patalas from CASiD invited on behalf of the students to the Christmas Meeting and Charity Fair at WNS.
At the end of the meeting of the UG Senate, the Rector, prof. Piotr Stepnowski, thanked the Senate for its trust and positive opinion of his candidature and offered Christmas wishes.
