‘These are times of intense change’ - with these words, the President of the Red Rose Association Ludwik Klinkosz initiated a meeting of the Association's Programme Council at the University of Gdańsk. It was these changes, related, among other things, to the reform of higher education and the introduction of a new model of university operation, that inspired the resumption of meetings. 

The meeting of the Red Rose Association's Programme Council took place on May 7 and was hosted by the Rector of UG prof. dr hab. Piotr Stepnowski.

During the meeting, the Rector presented the current situation of the University of Gdańsk, its achievements and challenges, as well as its place in the economic and social environment. ‘We strive not only to develop our infrastructure but first and foremost to advance our science and modernise our teaching profile, which definitely improves our position in both Polish and international rankings,' noted the Rector. He also drew attention to the development of the university's scientific potential and internationalisation, thanks to, among other things, two research centres and the University of Gdańsk's participation in two international research agencies. A major challenge is to respond dynamically to the expectations of the labour market and the changing structure of the interests of secondary school graduates - while at the same time maintaining the 'educational foundation' in terms of basic research and fields of study (e.g. philosophy or mathematics), which are the backbone of every university.

The Rector devoted a lot of attention to the Fahrenheit Union of Universities: an initiative of the three largest universities in Pomerania aimed at consolidating them (e.g. forming a federation), which would facilitate, among other things, joint research or joint evaluation. A federation would also be an opportunity to raise the position of the universities in international rankings: ‘Fahrenheit Universities is a project calculated for many years and we treat it strategically from the point of view of the University of Gdańsk’ added the Rector.

The second project related to UG's strategic partnership is Sea-EU - an initiative bringing together nine European universities located in coastal port cities, whose aesthetic qualities (in addition to teaching aspects or the chance to conduct large-scale research projects) are an additional factor encouraging scientists and students to engage in international academic exchange.

At the end of his speech, Prof. Piotr Stepnowski referred to the funding opportunities for universities and his hopes regarding establishing the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Although UG is a leader when it comes to raising funds from international or national projects, without reliable funding from the state, it is not able to realise its full potential.

The second point of the meeting concerned the tasks of the Programme Council of the Red Rose Association in the context of contemporary directions of change in education and higher education. The Association carries out numerous initiatives to support the Tricity academic community. One of these is the Red Rose Award, which is presented each year to the most outstanding student and the best academic circle from the Tricity.

We asked President Ludwik Klinkosz to talk about the Association.

Karolina Żuk-Wieczorkiewicz: - The Red Rose Association has a long and rich tradition. It started in the 1950s in the legendary Coastal Students' Club ‘Żak’. However, the association itself came into being later.

Ludwik Klinkosz: - The Red Rose Association was founded in 1996 by former ‘Żak’ activists. After the regime change, funding for the Coastal Students' Club ‘Żak’ was stopped. The Tri-City environment did not have a deep tradition of contributing to culture during the crisis, even though there was a lot going on in the Coastal Students' Club ‘Żak’, such as the Red Rose competitions in many categories: from poetry to the science competition, the ‘Best Scientific Circle’, the ‘Maritime Education of Youth’, and so on. I usually compare this with the reality of Krakow. However, Krakow, which was a strong centre in terms of student activity, maintained Piwnica pod Baranami. The Gdansk environment, on the other hand, was thoroughly industrial. At the time, we felt that the University of Gdańsk, as a centre for the development of humanism, was at least 20-30 years too late. We all regret that ‘Żak’ ceased its activities then. I would say that it was in the spirit of nostalgia for the old ‘Żak’ that we founded the Red Rose Association, which this year will be organising the twenty-fifth edition of the competition for the best student of the Tricity universities and the best scientific circle.

- Is the Association a non-profit organisation?

- Yes. The Association operates based on membership fees and private sponsors. We do not use budget money. We pride ourselves on this because it makes us completely independent.

- I understand that you cultivate the values of the old 'Żak'.

- These values were developed in an environment that was very vibrant. We have sometimes wondered where the phenomenon of 'Żak' and the emergence of all the creative clubs associated with it came from. I think the main reason was that ‘Żak’ found its way into the industrial environment: shipyards, large industrial plants, and so on. The club provided some levity, more of a student approach in culture. The very idea of the Red Rose was born at a student song festival in Krakow in 1961. In 1962, the Gdansk milieu undertook to organise the first competitions, first in the area of so-called ‘engaged poetry’. These were the times of the deep regime and the students wanted to go beyond the framework imposed by the ‘commander-in-chief's party’ and tell society some truth - often against the intentions of the services operating at the time. From 1962 onwards, there were successive editions of the Red Rose, until the end of the 'Zak. Over time, we set up an association and we are doing what was most beautiful about the Red Rose, namely promoting the best students and study circles. There is now a young generation growing up, instilled with the Red Rose bug - and I am glad that this tradition will continue.

- What is the 'Red Rose bug'?

- It is first and foremost the relationship between a generation and the next generation.

- That is, what is referred to in the preamble of the Association?

- What is in the preamble, and what is actually the essence of the university: that older colleagues pass on knowledge and values to younger ones. Today, this 'intergenerational love' is more important than ever. Societies - not only in Poland - are living in an ever-increasing hurry, and we are increasingly short of time. The Red Rose, on the other hand, promotes the idea that the professor's time for the student should always be found, and that this relationship should produce the full effects of both the teaching process and the promotion of young people. So the 'Red Rose bug' boils down to a relationship: the younger generation with the older generation, and especially the older generation with the younger generation.

- What message would you have for young students?

- Firstly: that they make the most of their studies, and outside of their studies, that they find time for their life, hobbies, theatre, tourism, art; that a person's development is not only defined by the body of knowledge necessary to obtain a degree (e.g. a master's degree), but that it takes place in many dimensions. What went on in student clubs such as 'Żak' was not directly concerned with the learning process, but hugely developed everyone who had a hobby or interest. So learning on the one hand - and developing one's own fascinations on the other, so that one felt alive.

- Thank you for the interview.