Students and the representatives of the academic circles and local authorities of the Pomerania Region took part in a unique celebration of science, marking the beginning of the new academic year. The parade, which took place at the Royal Route in Gdańsk on 30 September, was a symbol of integration as well as the celebration of shared values and objectives for science and higher education in our region.

"Long live science!" was a unique event, held for the second time by the City of Gdańsk and Fahrenheit Universities. This year, several hundred students and representatives of 19 higher education institutions walked hand in hand in a loud march to show unity and celebrate the academic year which has just started. Also present were the representatives of the local authorities. At the head of the parade, among others, was the Mayor of the City of Gdańsk, Aleksandra Dulkiewicz. Gdańsk, as one of the most important academic centres in Poland, hosted the celebrations.

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The parade set off from the Golden Gate to the sound of carillons playing Gaudeamus igitur. The parade was accompanied by stilt walkers, jugglers, monocyclists and circus performers. The atmosphere during the parade was joyful, full of sounds, colours and positive energy. This was also taken care of by the Gdańsk Academic Orchestra, which accompanied the parade all the way to the Artus Court. It was here that the participants listened to the first speeches by the representatives of the local authorities.

– The new academic year is a time of new challenges, opportunities and hopes. Gdańsk is a city open to knowledge, creativity and innovation – said Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk. – May these three pillars accompany us throughout this year, inspiring us to achieve ever greater success and contribute to our development. I wish you a new year with new challenges, new hopes, but also new successes. The Fahrenheit Universities' community and its friends should feel obliged to produce higher temperatures every day. Let the thermometer break whenever it comes to releasing energy for a good cause. Together we can achieve a lot!

On behalf of the academic community spoke the Chairman of the Assembly of the Fahrenheit Universities, Prof. Marcin Gruchała.

– I would like to extend an extremely warm welcome to students, especially those starting their first year at Pomeranian universities. We are delighted that you have chosen higher education institutions in this beautiful place. In a place that cherishes its values – freedom, liberty and cooperation – said prof.  Marcin Gruchała, Rector of the Medical University of Gdańsk. – I am positive that at our universities you will realize your professional dreams, develop and think creatively and freely. I wish you all a very good and trouble-free academic year!  

Speeches were also given by the representatives of students of the three universities: the Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk University of Technology and the University of Gdańsk. Their main themes were the three most important values: freedom – as not an end in itself, but an opportunity in terms of education; solidarity – that is, an attitude of mutual support between students of different universities; and cooperation – In the form of proactive action as a result of freedom and solidarity.

– As we stand here, seeing the new freedom, we must not squander it. It is up to us, the witnesses of the new history, to decide how the history of this world will turn out – said Karol Hamanowicz of the University of Gdańsk in his speech about freedom.

– There is no freedom without solidarity. Solidarity between colleagues, in the society, between people and between universities. One person with another, and not one against another. Solidarity is an extraordinary value, a skill and a quality in one – emphasised Alicja Szmidka of the Medical University of Gdańsk, when she talked about solidarity.

– Cooperation is a word that conceals infinite possibilities. It is the power that unites our efforts, outlooks and dreams into one harmonious objective – stated Marta Muchewicz of the Gdańsk University of Technology during her speech about cooperation.

The main aim of the event is to integrate, strengthen ties and friendship between the universities, as well as nurture the shared values.  The importance of these values was also emphasised in their comments by the rectors of the Gdańsk University of Technology and the University of Gdańsk.

 – Admittedly, we are still learning about one another, but we already know enough about one another to be able to look to the future with great optimism. Our main objective, i.e. the creation of the federation and thus the option to appear on the national and international arena as a single scientific and research entity, will give us even better ranking in the future, greater opportunities to obtain grants for investment in the competences of our staff and university infrastructure, as well as the unprecedented recognition of Gdańsk as a strong international academic centre. This process is already underway and we are doing our utmost to ensure that it gains momentum – emphasizes prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of the Gdańsk University of Technology.

 – We are beginning the next year of cooperation between our universities working on joint projects in the alliance of the Fahrenheit Universities. The past years have shown that although it is not easy, as we have to take into account many different aspects, including the specific nature of our universities and their environment – such cooperation is very much possible. So let us enjoy another year of cooperation in the Fahrenheit Universities!  – adds prof. Piotr Stepnowski, Rector of the University of Gdańsk.

In addition to the Fahrenheit Universities’ community, the event was attended by the representatives of 16 public and non-public higher education institutions across the Pomerania Region: Ateneum University in Gdańsk, Polish Naval Academy of the Heroes of Westerplatte, Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk, Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk, Jędrzej Śniadecki Academy of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk Seminary, The Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology (the branch in Gdańsk), Powiśle University of Applied Sciences, Sopot Academy of Applied Sciences, WSB Merito University Gdańsk, Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski University of Business and Administration in Gdynia, University of Security – the Faculty of Social Studies in Gdańsk, Higher School of Economy Engineering in Słupsk, University of Social Studies and Economics in Gdańsk, Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management in Gdańsk and University of Health in Gdańsk.

The event was organised by the Fahrenheit Universities and the City of Gdańsk. Honorary patronage: Governor of the Pomerania Region and the Mayor of Gdańsk.

The Fahrenheit Universities (FarU) comprises the three biggest Tri-City scientific institutions: The Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk University of Technology and University of Gdańsk. The activities of the FarU focus on the development of solutions supporting joint research and development, as well as the recommendations pertaining to the consolidation or creation of new, intercollegiate initiatives.

fot. GREGMAR