‘Science is infinite. Each of us scientists carries within us questions that are the leaven for research. We get involved in discussions and polemics that build cooperation or direct us on specific scientific paths,’ with these words, Rector prof. dr hab. Piotr Stepnowski opened the first part of the celebrations of the 54th anniversary of the establishment of the University of Gdańsk. At the University of Gdańsk Library on February 29, state distinctions, the Prof. Karl Taylor Scientific Awards, the Krzysztof Celestyn Mrongowiusz Teacher of the Year Awards and the Young Fahrenheit Competition Awards were presented.

The University of Gdańsk was established on March 20, 1970, and was formed by the merger of the Higher School of Economics in Sopot and the Higher School of Pedagogy in Gdańsk. The Rector, prof. Piotr Stepnowski referred to the university's history in his speech:  ‘The university that we all create stands on the solid foundations of 54 years of activity of our academy. Always admirable and worthy of remembrance is the determination with which scientists, despite difficult political and economic times, carried out scientific research in the early days of the University of Gdańsk, gradually laying the foundations of what is now the largest university in Pomerania.’

This year's celebrations to mark the jubilee of the founding of the UG began with a ceremony to recognise the scientific and teaching achievements and administrative work of members of our university's academic community.

Pomeranian Voivode Beata Rutkiewicz presented distinguished employees with state awards

• for their contribution to the development of science:  Gold, Silver and Bronze Crosses of Merit (list of decorated)
• for exemplary, exceptionally conscientious performance of professional duties: Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for long service (list of decorated)

The Medal of the Commission of National Education, awarded for special merits for education and upbringing by the minister 'responsible for education and upbringing', was received by prof. Jakub Stelina.

Thanking the staff of the University of Gdańsk, the Pomeranian Voivode emphasised the importance of cooperation between academics, local authorities, and the economic environment: ‘In recent years, local governments confirm that cooperation with the University of Gdańsk has taken on a new dimension. The wind of change has blown in the right direction. On behalf of the local government, I would like to thank you for feeling the need to cooperate with us,’ said the Voivode.

The second part of the ceremony was devoted to scientists, academics, and teachers who were awarded, among others, for their scientific achievements (with the Rector's Prof. Karol Taylor Award) and for special teaching achievements (with the Krzysztof C. Mrongowiusz Teacher of the Year Award).

For the first time, the presentation of the statuettes and diplomas was preceded by a presentation of the laureates and award winners in the form of short films in which they, cooperating scientists, deans, and students talked about their work. The films, prepared by the Centre for Student and Doctoral Activities and the Centre for Science and Television Documentation, were very warmly received by the audience and the award winners themselves. They also showed that it is possible to talk about science and one's achievements, and the educational process interestingly and passionately. 

The Krzysztof C. Mrongowiusz Awards for 2023 from the hands of the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education Quality dr hab. Arnold Kłonczyński, prof. UG and Rector prof. Piotr Stepnowski were received by:

dr hab. Angelika Kędzierska - Szczepaniak, prof. UG from the Faculty of Management

dr Marta Frankowska from the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics

mgr Małgorzata Aftańska from the Centre for Physical Education and Sport

As highlighted by the Vice-Rector, prof. Arnold Kłonczyński, this year the award chapter decided to award distinctions to all other applicants.

Distinctions were awarded to:

dr Magdalena Iwanowska from the Faculty of Social Sciences,

dr hab. Joanna Kruczalak-Jankowska, prof. UG from the Faculty of Law and Administration,

dr Wacław Kulczykowski from the Faculty of History,

prof. Michał Obuchowski from the Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology UG and MUG,

dr hab. Wojciech Pokora, prof. UG from the Faculty of Biology,

dr Anna Reglińska-Jemioł from the Faculty of Languages,

dr Leszek Reszka, prof. UG from the Faculty of Economics,

dr hab. Piotr Storoniak, prof. UG from the Faculty of Chemistry.

The Prof. Charles Taylor Scientific Awards from the hands of the Vice-Rector for Research, prof. dr hab. Wiesław Laskowski, and the Rector, prof. Piotr Stepnowski were received by:

prof. Małgorzata Wiśniewska from the Faculty of Management

prof. Bogdan Skwarzec from the Faculty of Chemistry

prof. Sebastian Mahlik from the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science

For the past three years, the Young Fahrenheit Awards have also been presented during the University of Gdańsk festivities to young University of Gdańsk employees and doctoral students whose research has commercialisation potential.

This competition is organised by the University of Gdańsk's special purpose vehicle Univentum Labs in cooperation with the Technology Transfer Office of the University of Gdańsk, the Gdańsk Business Club, and the Spark-Lab Chemical Analysis Laboratory.

The awards were presented by the Rector and the President of the Management Board, dr hab. Wojciech Bizon, prof. UG, who encouraged promoters and lecturers to submit young people for the award because, as he pointed out, their work also pays off in the future for the departments and the university.

The Young Fahrenheit Awards were given to:

1st place: mgr Vladyslav Ievtukhov,

2nd place: mgr Kamila Jarzyńska,

3rd place: mgr Weronika Babinska-Wensierska,

Distinction: Natalia Wyźlic.

‘On the occasion of the Festival of the University of Gdańsk - I would like to thank all of you, all staff, employees, students, and doctoral students of our university, and the institutions that work closely with us, for the fact that together you are building what is most precious to us, our University of Gdańsk,’ emphasised the Rector, prof. Piotr Stepnowski, during the ceremony.

The University of Gdańsk Academic Choir under the direction of prof. Marcin Tomczak added splendour to the ceremony.

At the end of the event, a short concert was given by the Gdańsk Academic Orchestra UG under the direction of Marcin Janek, which played 5 arrangements of well-known pieces of popular music and received a standing ovation.

Congratulations to all Laureates!

The second part of the celebrations will be the awarding of an honorary doctorate from the University of Gdańsk to Olga Tokarczuk, an outstanding writer and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. The event will take place on 18 March in Artus Court and will be broadcast live on the UG's YouTube channel.