The authorities of the three largest universities in Gdańsk, the City of Gdańsk, and the Positive Initiatives Foundation signed the patronage declaration for the Paweł Adamowicz University High School on 22 July 2021. The signatories of the agreement wish to jointly support the development of the school and participate in its educational and social projects. 
The patronage declaration was signed by the founders of the Fahrenheit Union of Universities in Gdańsk: Prof. Marcin Gruchała, Rector of the Medical University of Gdańsk, Prof. Piotr Stepnowski, Rector of the University of Gdańsk, Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of the Gdańsk University of Technology, Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, President of the City of Gdańsk and Arkadiusz Gawrych – President of the Positive Initiatives Foundation.

As emphasized by the signatories, the signing of the declaration is a token of joint efforts to develop secondary education in Poland.– It is our intention and the intention of the Governor of the Region to be the leaders in many areas. We also want to be a strong education centre. That is why this idea of a good public high school is so close to us –  explained Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, President of Gdańsk. – As a city, we want to be competitive also at the level of secondary education. We are glad that the University High School is developing.

The development of education in Gdańsk is guaranteed by teaching based on modern methods and on the experience of research staff. In the case of the University High School, young people take advantage of the academic potential of three universities.

– The Fahrenheit Union of Universities in Gdańsk, which the University of Gdańsk is co-creating alongside Gdańsk University of Technology and the Medical University of Gdańsk, naturally wants its patronage to cover structures related not only to educating students and conducting scientific research  – said Prof. Piotr Stepnowski, Rector of the UG. – 2 years ago our university became the host of the University High School. We want the school to develop further, to have an ever richer offer, and to become more and more involved in social activities. Hence the idea to join forces in the case of the high school and support the school's activities with the rich knowledge of all  the three universities – he added.
According to the Rector, the university intends to broaden the horizons of students also using the experience of a social partner, which is the Positive Initiatives Foundation.

– We are also very happy to see the City of Gdańsk join the substantive patronage of our high school. The late president of the city, Paweł Adamowicz was one of the originators of the University High School, and the school bears his name today – said Prof. Stepnowski. – I am deeply convinced that by enriching the school’s patronage offer with such excellent partners, we are giving our school and our students completely new opportunities and prospects for further development.

The cooperation plans include  the creation of an engineering class at the University High School. The staff and substantive assistance in this regard can be provided by Gdańsk University of Technology. According to Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of Gdańsk University of Technology, the cooperation of the University High School and the three largest Pomeranian universities that are part of the Fahrenheit Union of Universities in Gdańsk is a great opportunity for development.

– Thanks to this initiative, we can together build a unique educational offer on a national scale and a curriculum adapted to the challenges of the modern world. This is a chance for high school students to take lessons different from all the others - in modern laboratories, at interesting workshops – said Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of the Gdańsk Tech. – Getting to know the specifics of individual universities before the secondary school-leaving examination will certainly help them choose a field of study in line with their interests and competences. I hope that young people will choose studies in Gdańsk - a city that also has a chance to become one of the most important research centres in Poland.

In accordance with the signed declaration, new representatives of the Program Council will be appointed. The participation of young people in social projects and the quality of education of the graduates prepared to study at universities in the Tricity will also increase.

According to Prof. Marcin Gruchała, Rector of the Medical University of Gdańsk, the appropriate preparation of high school graduates at this stage of education is crucial for gaining knowledge in the modern world. 
– The support offered by the leading Gdańsk universities will allow not only to develop the teaching offer of the University High School, but also to shape appropriate attitudes through participation in joint social projects. I hope that in the future the best students will continue their scientific interests and build professional careers at one of the universities making up the Daniel Fahrenheit Union of Universities in Gdańsk – argued Prof. Marcin Gruchała, Rector of the MUG.

For years, the Positive Initiatives Foundation has been working for the development of modern education and care, and has been cooperating with local governments and universities in Pomerania.

– We are an organization that has been supporting education for years. – We support nurseries, kindergartens and schools – said Arkadiusz Gawrych, President of the Positive Initiatives Foundation. Thanks to the declaration, we will cooperate in innovative projects concerning, for example entrepreneurship. We are known for the Maciej Płażyński technical high school in Puck, which is at the top of the "Perspektywy" ranking. 

Photo: Arkadiusz Smykowski/UG