The Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk University of Technology and University of Gdańsk signed a cooperation agreement with Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ) (Polish Nuclear Power Plants). The main objective of the agreement signed on 2 February is the development of human resources potential for the nuclear industry as part of the plan to build the first nuclear power plant in Poland. The ceremony was attended by the Head of the Pomorskie region, Dariusz Drelich, and the Governor of the region, Mieczysław Struk.

– Pomorskie is the region where the first nuclear power plant in Poland will be built. Due to the size and importance of this strategic project, specialists from the Pomorskie region will find employment on the project, both during the construction and subsequent operation of the power plant. Therefore, as early as at this stage of the project, the company is developing cooperation with key universities in Gdańsk – says Tomasz Stępień, President of Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe.

The signed agreement defines the framework for cooperation between Fahrenheit Universities (FarU) and Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe. The agreement concerns areas such as, for example: the development of courses related to nuclear energy, preparing students and graduates to enter the labour market in the power engineering sector, conducting selected educational classes for students by PEJ employees and joint organisation of communication and information events and meetings for the development of a social dialogue platform.

– We are aware of the amount of work required to build and operate a nuclear power plant. Nuclear power brings with it numerous advantages that should be created and used responsibly for the common benefit and safety in the broad sense, says Prof. Marcin Gruchała, Chairman of the FarU’s Assembly and Rector of the Medical University of Gdańsk. – The knowledge and competences of specialists representing FarU member universities will provide the necessary support at every stage of this project, which is so important for our region.

The competency hub

The nuclear power plant construction project is a long process involving many specialists and experts in various fields. The Fahrenheit Universities have nearly 42,000 students and 3,800 research workers. And the demand for high-class specialists in this sector will grow, especially in the Pomorskie region, due to the planned projects.

– The Gdańsk University of Technology has many years of experience in educating personnel for the nuclear industry, hence we are now returning to the field of study called ‘nuclear power engineering’ – says Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of Gdańsk University of Technology. – We also regularly open new research centres, where our scientists implement projects and issue expert opinions for companies of various industries, e.g. Offshore Wind Energy Center or Center for Hydrogen Technologies. We are currently preparing for the opening of the GUT Nuclear Energy Center, owing to which we will have an even greater influence on the economic development of our region.

As it is noted by Prof. Piotr Stepnowski, Rector of the University of Gdańsk: – Modern nuclear power engineering is a low-emission, stable and safe source of energy. In the face of the global energy crisis, the presence of nuclear power in the so-called energy mix, together with renewable energy sources, becomes indispensable. However, introducing this type of power plants to our energy market requires thorough and responsible preparation. The fact that scientists and students from three FarU universities are involved in this project also demonstrates the growing importance of our cooperation within the FarU.

The Fahrenheit Universities were established to make the best use of the resources and potential of the three member universities. The main activities of the FarU focus on developing solutions supporting joint scientific research and development work, as well as preparing recommendations for consolidation in order to create, in the Pomorskie Region, one of the strongest academic centres in the country.

– As the Fahrenheit Universities, we have proven that integration on many levels is possible and brings many benefits. We want to achieve this objective also in this case – emphasizes Marcin Jaskólski, Ph.D. Eng., deputy director of the Nuclear Energy Center of the Gdańsk University of Technology, who gave a presentation on the potential of the FarU as a partner supporting the plan to build the first nuclear power plant in Poland.

***********

Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe sp. z o.o. is a company responsible, for example, for the preparation of the investment process and acting as the investor in the nuclear power plant construction project of the total installed capacity of approximately 6 to 9 GWe based on safe, proven, large-scale, water pressure nuclear reactors of the III(+) generation and for their possible operation in the future. The company also supports the governmental administration in its activities for the implementation of the Polish Nuclear Power Programme and in the performance of the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Poland on Cooperation Towards the Development of a Civil Nuclear Power Program and the Civil Nuclear Power Sector in the Republic of Poland. More information: www.ppej.pl.