The mock matura exams, lectures, presentations by faculties, live science meetings at the stands of scientific clubs - these are just some of the attractions that visitors to the University of Gdańsk can enjoy on March 12-13 during the UG Open Days. The event was hosted for the third time by the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Gdańsk.

‘We have always strived for students. It is an inherent feature of the university to attract the best,’ said the Rector of the University of Gdańsk, prof. dr hab. Piotr Stepnowski, during an interview on Radio Gdańsk, which took place just before the start of the University of Gdańsk Open Days. The rector added that in the context of the challenges associated with the demographic decline, increasing the attractiveness of the study programmes on offer will be of particular importance.

Students visiting the Open Days, which began on March 12 at 9:00 a.m., were able to learn about the current offer of the University of Gdańsk.

‘We have a unique opportunity to present our teaching offer, tell how we work with students, talk about the incredible activity of our students and our successes,’ says dr hab. Urszula Patocka-Sigłowy, prof. UG, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs. ‘On the other hand, high school graduates (but also their younger colleagues) can get to know our offer and consider whether the course that is currently on the list of the most popular is the one they really want to study. All these conversations are meant to help young people make a more informed choice.’

What were the visitors looking for on the university campus? First and foremost, they wanted information about the courses and degree programmes on offer. Some of the visitors already had a degree programme in mind, while others were exploring their options. The organisation of the event was also appreciated, including the interesting lectures presented by representatives of all the university's faculties. The interest in the lectures - which filled the auditorium - was evident from the very beginning.

Traditionally, all the faculties of our university had their stands, as well as the Recruitment Office (which provided information on the current range of courses on offer), the Cooperation and International Relations Office, as well as organisations operating within the framework of the University of Gdańsk (Radio MORS, the Academic Sports Association, the Centre for Student and Doctoral Activities) or cooperating with it, e.g. the University of Gdańsk Development Foundation, which offers gadgets with the university logo. However, above all, student research groups presented themselves.

‘We do everything in a fun atmosphere, but our sociology is hidden underneath: what is our field of study and what is it like to study,’ says dr Karolina Ciechorska-Kulesza, who once again accompanies the sociology students. ‘Most importantly, we give the floor to students who have the best contact with young people. I have the impression that if you give students physical space, talk to them, and give them a lot of freedom to think and create, they turn out to be very responsible, committed, simply wonderful adults.’

Mini Book Fair ‘Na Fali’

For the first time, the Mini Book Fair ‘Na Fali’ took place in the Library of the University of Gdańsk as part of the Open Days of the University of Gdańsk. Both the organisers and the exhibitors hope that this idea will be continued in the future.

‘The fairs are primarily aimed at promoting reading, but also at showing that the library is not only a place where you can use the collections already owned by the library, but also provides the opportunity to purchase new items for your own libraries,’ notes dr hab. Arnold Kłonczyński, prof. UG, Director of the University of Gdańsk Library. ‘We invited Pomeranian publishers based in Tricity to promote themselves on the local market, but also to show their wide range of products that are ‘closer to Pomerania’. We hoped to interest readers in them, and we think we succeeded.’

According to the visitors, a visit to the University of Gdańsk Library and the cosy atmosphere of the mini book fair were a pleasant ‘break’ after the crowded Faculty of Social Sciences building, where the main part of the University of Gdańsk Open Days took place.

And what do the exhibitors themselves think about the idea of a mini book fair in the university library?

‘It's a great initiative. Something like this was simply missing in Gdansk,’ says Anna Dunst, Director of the Publishing House of the Kashubian-Pomeranian Association, emphasising the need for a convenient space in which small publishing houses could present themselves. ‘We can show off and present what we publish: literature that is not widely available on a daily basis.’

’It is a chance to reach the academic community and a great opportunity to meet,’ notes Artur Rogoś from Części Proste Publishing House. ‘It would be great if the university showed consistency and continued to organise such events in the coming years.’

On Wednesday, over 4,000 people visited the UG Open Days.

You are welcome to visit the UG campus on Thursday as well!