Exclusive : Marek Grzybowski 3 questions for Prof. Ph.D., D. Sc., Eng. Krzysztof Wilde, corresponding member of the PAS, Rector of Gdańsk University of Technology

Gdańsk University of Technology has created new interdisciplinary research centers

Marek Grzybowski

An exclusive interview for eBlue Economy

Gdańsk University of Technology is strongly associated with the maritime industry in terms of education for its needs. The Offshore Wind Energy Center brings together outstanding specialists from all areas of knowledge related to offshore wind energy. The Hydrogen Technologies Center is the first unit of this type in Poland to offer research services related to hydrogen. 

Marek Grzybowski: Gdańsk University of Technology has created new interdisciplinary research centers: the Center for Marine Wind Energy and the Hydrogen Center. What tasks are the new research centers to perform?

Prof. Eng. Krzysztof Wilde:  The task of both centers is to coordinate research, design, and expert works for the construction of offshore wind farms and modern hydrogen technologies in the energy sector.  

The Offshore Wind Energy Center brings together outstanding specialists from all areas of knowledge related to offshore wind energy and has a highly specialized laboratory base that allows for detailed identification of many technical and organizational problems in the construction and operation of offshore wind farms. The center offers scientific support in the field of design, manufacturing technology, operation of offshore wind farms, conducts research, advises on how to solve technical problems, and trains management and engineering staff.

The Hydrogen Technologies Center is the first unit of this type in Poland to offer research services related to hydrogen. The Center concentrates on the competencies in the field of processing, storing, and combustion of hydrogen as well as processing energy obtained in fuel cells. The Center is a unit dedicated to cooperation with the industry, including the practical application of scientific achievements, and deals with comprehensive service of hydrogen projects, as well as the development and maintenance of existing technologies using hydrogen.

Marek Grzybowski:  What is the educational offer of Gdańsk University of Technology for maritime industries?

Prof. Eng. Krzysztof Wilde:  Our university is strongly associated with the maritime industry in terms of education for its needs. The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology conducts education in the field of Ocean Engineering both in Polish and English.

There are three specializations in the field of Ocean Engineering conducted in Polish: two connected with ships and a separate one (Underwater Technologies). In the case of studies in English, there is one specialization: Ocean Engineering, and within it, there are two diploma profiles: ‘Ship Technology and Offshore Engineering’ and ‘Marine Engineering and Offshore Energy’.

From the new academic year 2021/2022, a new practice field of study ‘Design and construction of yachts’ shall be launched here. Moreover, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology and the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering jointly run an inter-faculty 2nd cycle study program – Coastal and Off-shore engineering.

This is a response to the needs of the maritime industry in the field of educating specialists of broadly understood maritime and coastal infrastructure, with particular emphasis on the maritime economy.

In the context of education for the maritime industry also the Department of Sonar Systems at the Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics offer the following lectures: Echolocation Methods (also in English) and Navigation Systems.

In turn, the Faculty of Electrical and Control Engineering in its offer of education in this area includes elective courses: Marine Control Systems (in English) and Automation of marine power systems.

Marek Grzybowski: Gdańsk University of Technology appears yet again in the prestigious QS World University Rankings. What activities determined that the University took a good position in this ranking?

Prof. Eng. Krzysztof Wilde:   Participation in the rankings is important for Gdańsk University of Technology. Thanks to this, the University may become more recognized in the world, and attract the attention of researchers and foreign students. In the latest edition of the QS World University Rankings, we have maintained our current position. I am happy about it, although we all aspire to achieve more.

We also hope that the projects we undertook in the past year, such as an informational and promotional campaign on the reputation survey among the academic environment, and other activities planned in the near future will help us slowly climb the ladder of both the QS ranking and other rankings from the BIG-4 group. Despite the lack of a clear rise in this year’s QS ranking, we have noticed an increase in individual indicators, which allows us to believe that in future editions we will also be able to see an increase in the general classification.