Gdynia Maritime University Celebrates 105 Years of Maritime Education in Poland

On June 17, Gdynia Maritime University (GMU) marked a major milestone — the 105th anniversary of maritime education in Poland — with a series of ceremonies that paid tribute to its heritage and looked ahead to the future of seafaring education.

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Today   |   18:26   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. Jakub Strzelczyk / UMG

The event commemorated the historic decision of General Józef Leśniewski, Minister of Military Affairs, who on June 17, 1920, signed the order establishing the Maritime School in Tczew — the forerunner of today’s Gdynia Maritime University. The school later moved to Gdynia and has since grown into one of the most respected maritime institutions in Europe.

Ceremonial Beginnings

The day began at 8:00 a.m. with a ceremonial hoisting of the red-and-white flag of the Polish Merchant Navy on the university's main building, accompanied by the GMU Representative Company and music performed by the Representative Orchestra of the Polish Navy. A holy mass followed at the university chapel, celebrated in honor of the university's staff, students, doctoral candidates, and alumni.

As part of the official program, Rector Prof. Dr. Eng. Master Mariner Adam Weintrit, together with Prof. Dr. Master Mariner Daniel Duda — former Rector of the Maritime University (1972–1981) and Honorary Doctor of GMU — laid flowers at the bust of Captain Karol Olgierd Borchardt, commemorating the 120th anniversary of his birth. Prof. Duda also donated historical memorabilia to the University’s Hall of Tradition, including commemorative shell casings dedicated to prominent Polish mariners and a miniature of the Liberty Bell — a symbol of the U.S. independence movement.

Senate Session and Academic Recognition

At 11:00 a.m., an open ceremonial session of the GMU Senate was held in the T. Meissner Auditorium. The event gathered members of the Senate, the University Council, and distinguished guests. The GMU Academic Choir provided musical accompaniment.

During the session, Rector Weintrit delivered a keynote address, reflecting on the difficult beginnings of the university in 1920 and the interruption caused by the Polish-Soviet War, which delayed the arrival of the first students until December of that year. He highlighted GMU’s dual celebration dates — June, to mark the founding order, and December, to honor the students' return from war.

Prof. Weintrit also emphasized the university’s growing international standing and research output. He highlighted GMU’s recent involvement in organizing top-tier conferences, including the 21st International Conference on Smart Technologies – IEEE EUROCON 2025, hosted by Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science Prof. Ireneusz Czarnowski, and the 16th International Conference on Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation (TransNav), co-organized with The Nautical Institute and attended by over 250 participants.

Special recognition was given to Wiktoria Dumińska, a Navigation Faculty student, who received the Gdynia City Scholarship for outstanding academic achievements in 2023/2024 and became a finalist in the nationwide Student Nobel 2025 competition in the technical sciences category.

Looking Ahead: A New Training Ship and Global Partnerships

One of the key announcements of the day concerned the long-awaited successor to the university's iconic tall ship Dar Młodzieży. Rector Weintrit stated:

"It is still too early to announce a launch date, but the new training vessel is expected to be built after my current term ends. This will be only the fourth such ship in our 100-year history. Tall ships not only teach seamanship but also instill teamwork and respect for the sea — values central to the best maritime academies worldwide."

The Rector also pointed to growing opportunities for international cooperation, mentioning potential partnerships in Nigeria, Singapore, Angola, Flanders, Belgium, and the Philippines.

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Secretary of State Dr. Arkadiusz Marchewka confirmed governmental support for the new ship:

“The founding of the Tczew Maritime School in 1920 opened the door to the continued success of Poland’s maritime economy. Gdynia Maritime University produces world-class professionals — our global ambassadors. We believe investment in maritime education is one of the most strategic moves we can make, and I’m pleased to confirm that the government has committed to building a successor to Dar Młodzieży.”

National Recognition and Closing Ceremony

A letter from Minister of Education Barbara Nowacka was read during the ceremony by master of ceremonies Aleksander Gosk. In her message, the Minister praised the university's academic achievements and commitment to preserving maritime traditions:

"This anniversary evokes rightful pride in the legacy of such a distinguished institution. I deeply value the efforts made to uphold universal academic values while expanding organizational, teaching, and research activities — especially in service of preparing ambitious and socially responsible maritime professionals.”

The celebrations concluded with the awarding of honors and medals to GMU staff and the ceremonial retiring of the university’s flag. Rector Weintrit closed the event with words of gratitude, thanking the academic community and guests for their presence and ongoing commitment to the future of maritime education in Poland.

uniwersytet morski w gdyni edukacja morska arkadiusz marchewka gdynia trójmiasto

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