The need to amend legislation to enable the federalisation of the three universities making up the Fahrenheit Universities (FarU), as well as the opportunity to leverage the region’s and country’s current development momentum, particularly in the area of energy transformation, were the key topics discussed during the fourth joint meeting of the Councils of three universities, held on 22 May in the Senate Hall of Gdańsk University of Technology.

The joint session brought together the University Councils of the Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk University of Technology, and the University of Gdańsk. The meeting was opened by Sławomir Halbryt, Chair of the Gdańsk Tech University Council, who reminded the attendees that this annual event traditionally takes place around the birthday of the FarU’s patron, Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit, which falls on 24 May.

This marks the first year of the new term for the university councils. Cooperation is off to a promising start, emphasized Sławomir Halbryt.

The Chairs of the Councils of the MUG and UG also addressed the meeting.

The Fahrenheit Universities is a unique project on the national level. Our intention is to identify ways in which the university councils can support the institutions in streamlining the process toward federalisation, said Paweł Orłowski, Chair of the University Council at the Medical University of Gdańsk.

The concept of federalisation remains one of the core objectives of the university authorities, and academic communities are deeply convinced of its importance. We should actively support this process, not only for the benefit of the universities themselves but for the entire region. Gdańsk is gaining prominence on the academic map of Poland, but there is still much work ahead. University councils should act as ambassadors of this transformation, added Prof. Marcin Gruchała, Chair of the University Council at the UG

He was followed by representatives of the member universities’  authorities: Prof. Anna Żaczek, Vice-Rector for Development and Cooperation at the MUG; Prof. Dariusz Mikielewicz, Vice-Rector for Science at Gdańsk the GUT, and Prof. Wiesław Laskowski, Vice-Rector for Scientific Research at the UG. All emphasized that the coming year will be pivotal for the future of the FarU.

Following the evaluation year in 2026, significant decisions will need to be made, especially those concerning federalisation. The current conditions are favourable, as the rectors of all three universities are committed and see the value in advancing this initiative. However, the existing legislative framework may dampen momentum when it comes to formally entering the next stage, said Prof. Dariusz Mikielewicz, Vice-Rector for Science at the GUT.

From conferences to the Brain Disease Centre

In the next part of the session, Prof. Adriana Zaleska-Medynska, Director of the Fahrenheit Universities, summarised the last 12 months of activities. Among the numerous initiatives carried out under the FarU banner, she mentioned for example. establishing the Fahrenheit Universities’ Translational Brain Diseases Centre , scholarship programme for overseas Ph.D. students, unique formula of post-graduate studies, competitions such as the (Fahrenheit Champions of Cooperation, Fahrenheit Universities Prize), conferences (FarU Quality Day, Release the Energy), the second edition of the Pomeranian Academy of Public Space Planning and the first open session of the University Dean’s Office Forum and publishing the first FarU book.

The speaker also presented examples of cooperation with the business environment (for example, the FarU Economic Convention), new agreements and partnerships (Chungnam National University, Daniel Fahrenheit Primary School No. 88) She also reminded the audience of FarU initiatives such as the joint academic year opening ceremony and the parade of Pomeranian higher education institutions in Gdańsk, and the  Fahrenheit Science Picnic.

The need for new legal regulations and cooperation in key areas

The discussion that followed was dominated by legal issues concerning the development of the Fahrenheit Universities and the urgent need to advocate more intensively for legislative changes (current law allows the FarU to operate under its present framework until 2028).

Participants also emphasised the need for the universities to clearly define areas of cooperation and to intensify efforts toward joint initiatives and research projects, particularly in critical fields such as energy transformation and strengthening the country’s military potential. Attention was also drawn to the role of Pomerania in the country’s economic transformation, especially in the energy sector as well as in digitalisation.  

Issues such as environmental protection, the metropolitan law, and ethical challenges related to the development of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, were also highlighted.

In response to questions from the audience, the FarU Director also reminded participants of joint university initiatives, including stronger cooperation in doctoral studies, the purchase of a shared library system, and a common internal mail system.

During the meeting, a proposal was tabled to include the position of the FarU Universities’ Councils expressing support for legislative changes enabling the creation of a federation of Gdańsk universities in the documents to be submitted to the government.

Potential leap of several hundred places in the Shanghai Ranking

The Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk University of Technology, and the University of Gdańsk established the Fahrenheit Universities in Gdańsk in 2020. The Union aims to create a strong and internationally recognized academic centre by leveraging the scientific, educational, and organisational strengths of each institution while preserving their autonomy. It is estimated that the federation of the three universities could boost Gdańsk’s position by several hundred places in the Shanghai Ranking, considered the most prestigious global university ranking.

Photo: Krzysztof Krzempek / Gdańsk University of Technology

GUT press release