Gdynia Maritime University GMU

The matriculation oath for students and doctoral candidates entering their first year of study at Gdynia Maritime University rang out proudly on Saturday, 4 October 2025, to the backdrop of the sound of the sea. As has become tradition, the inauguration of the new academic year at Poland's oldest maritime university was held in front of the S/V Dar Młodzieży at the seafront on Gdynia's South Pier. Taking part in this year's ceremony was Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. 

A few hundred young people stood, along with their family and friends, to swear the matriculation oath on the Gdynia Maritime University banner. The event was also attended by hundreds of guests.

Gathered on the South Pier were many from the University's academic community: officials, students, doctoral candidates, academic lecturers and staff. They were joined by many invited guests, among them representatives of state and local authorities, headed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland, Donald Tusk.

Guests also included the Rectors of other higher education institutions, representatives of businesses connected with the maritime industry, and maritime associations partnering with the university. As in previous years, the ceremony was attended by graduates and supporters of the University, families of newly admitted students, as well as residents of Gdynia and visiting tourists.

Saturday's inauguration ceremony was preceded by a Holy Mass at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Peter the Fisherman in Gdynia. The Mass offered for the intentions of the staff, students, doctoral candidates and graduates of the University was celebrated by His Excellency Bishop Wiesław Szlachetka and Father Edward Pracz, Pastor of the People of the Sea.

The next part of the inauguration ceremony for the 2025/2026 academic year took place on Gdynia’s waterfront. At exactly 11:00 am, the bell of the University’s training frigate Dar Młodzieży was struck to sound the 'ship’s bells' - a signal marking the official opening of the ceremony. The University's flag was then introcued in the company of the GMU Guard of Honour and the Polish Border Guard Maritime Division Orchestra. The Polish flag was then raised on the ship's mast to the sound of the Polish national anthem.

HM The Rector of Gdynia Maritime University, Professor Adam Weintrit, welcomed the University's students, dodctoral candidates and staff and the invited guests, before handing over the floor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland,  Donald Tusk.

I am here today because the whole of Poland […] has its gaze fixed on the Baltic […]. It is without a trace of exaggeration that I say we are becoming a port powerhouse in the Baltic region. It is here, on the Polish Baltic, that we are establishing the country's biggest energy ventures in the history of Poland, and some of the biggest in Europe: wind farms, a nuclear power plant, significant investments in infrastructure, and the redevelopment of ports. All of this prompts us to think of the sea in a more ambitious way than before – said the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk.

We are investing in all aspects of infrastructure and knowledge, key aspects of our security. It is with great satisfaction that I note that Gdynia Maritime University is not only about future captains and officers serving on Polish vessels, [...] but also about professionals who will safeguard security in cyberspace, and experts who will harness the sea in other fields, such as [...] offshore wind energy. It is up to you whether the sea becomes white and red [...] The future of the Polish Baltic lies in your hands, your hearts, and your minds. [...]

The words of the Prime Minister were followed by a performance of the 'Hymn to the Maritime School' by the GMU Academic Choir. Master of Ceremonies, Aleksander Gosk, then announced the most important point of the ceremony – the Matriculation Act.

The oath was sworn by those students who gained the most points during the admissions process on behalf of all new University students:

• Aleksander Walczyna (Faculty of Electrical Engineering)
• Jakub Przybylski (Faculty of Computer Science)
• Piotr Szponar (Faculty of Marine Engineering)
• Szymon Puckowski (Faculty of Navigation)
• Anna Bielawa (Faculty of Management and Quality Science)

The Matriculation Oath was read by Dr Sambor Guze, the Deputy Rector for Education and Student Affairs. The students swore the oath before the University banner, repeating the following words:

"Aware of my responsibilities as a student of the Gdynia Maritime University,
I do solemnly swear to
endeavour to gain lasting knowledge and skills, for the good of my country,
uphold the dignity of students and the good name of Gdynia Maritime University,
respect the University staff,
abide by the rules of collegiate coexistence,
and be a righteous and honest human being".
"I do solely swear to protect the honour of the Polish flag and to remain faithful to it"

The swearing of the Oath was accompanied by a performance of 'Gaudeamus Igitur' by the GMU Academic Choir.

During the next part of the ceremony, the Rector of Gdynia Maritime University, Professor Adam Weintrit, performed the matriculation of first-year students and doctoral candidates. Students chosen to represent the student body were:

• Dawid Wojewski and Filip Jabłoński - students in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering,
• Daria Skrzypkowska and Kamil Niewiadomski - students in the Faculty of Computer Science,
• Stanisław Paszkowski and Kacper Kowalczyk - students in the Faculty of Marine Engineering,
• Mateusz Wielgos and Franciszek Skrzypek - students in the Faculty of Navigation,
• Szymon Synak and Paweł Kamrowski - students in the Faculty of Management and Quality Science,

as well as doctoral candidate Dawid Budnarowski.

The ceremonial matriculation was accompanied by the sound of the Border Guard Maritime Division Orchestra performing the piece 'Pod żaglami Zawiszy' [Beneath the Sails of the Zawisza].

With the words, "I declare the opening of the 2025/2026 academic year", the Rector of Gdynia Maritime University, Professor Adam Weintrit, inaugurated the new academic year. This was marked by the long sound of the ship's horn and a shot of smoke in University colours as well as the hymn 'Gaude Mater Polonia', performed by the GMU Academic Choir.

The Rector then gave a speech especially for the occasion. 

During his speech, the Rector spoke of the beginnings of Gdynia Maritime University, which, during the first years following its establishment, was based in Tczew.

[...] Ten years later, in 1930, our University was moved to Gdynia, where it continued its mission during the Second World War in the United Kingdom, and after the war once again in Gdynia – first as the State Maritime School, then from 1969 as the Higher Maritime School, from 2002 as Gdynia Maritime Academy, and finally, since 2018, as Gdynia Maritime University, all the while continually enhancing its standing in Poland and its prestige worldwide. 

The Rector underlined that this year's Inauguration of the Academic Year was connected with as many as four momentous events:

Firstly, the visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland. Secondly, the visit of the Minister of Infrastructure. Third, news of the start of the construction of the successor to the Dar Młodzieży and the means of funding of this investment. And finally, the historic beginning of classes at the University's newest faculty, the Faculty of Computer Science – GMU's response to the development of AI technology.

As part of his speech, the Rector also highlighted areas of the University's activity connected with international cooperation, including the University's involvement in the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) of which our University is a member:

In just a week, five of our staff members and two of our students will take part in the next Annual General Assembly of the International  Association of Maritime Universities, IAMU AGA 2025, in Chennai (Madras) in India.

He also indicated that Gdynia Maritime University:

has for years actively participated as an expert in the work of committees, sub-committees, and working groups of the International Maritime Organization, a UN agency, where we were particularly active in the first half of this year, when Poland held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

HM The Rector also shared information on the number of students at Gdynia Maritime University:

We currently have 4,215 students enrolled at our University, and beginning their first year of full-time studies in this new academic year are 944 students, and beginning their first year of part-time studies are 602 students. The largest number of students are enrolled in the fields of study of: Navigation, Management, and Transport.

He also referred to the announcement by the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, of the competition for the name of the successor to the Dar Młodzieży:

We believe that there should be a competition for the name of the new ship, which we will soon announce on the University website […] The new name must not include Polish characters, in line with the regulations on naming this type of unit.

Ideas for the name of the new sailing ship can be sent to: zaglowiec [at] umg.edu.pl" style="min-width: 0px; min-height: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(17, 30, 43); border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(17, 30, 43);">zaglowiec [at] umg.edu.pl(link sends e-mail)

The Rector also gave thanks for the support which made it possible to gain funding for the construction of the successor to the Dar Młodzieży.  He expressed his sincere gratitude to the representatives of the Ministry of Infrastructure: Minister Dariusz Klimczak, Secretary of State Dr Arkadiusz Marchewka, and Director of the Department of Maritime Education Wojciech Gąsowski, and to all members of the University staff who contributed to the project. He also expressed his hope that in three years' time the University will inaugurate the new academic year from the deck of a new training ship.

Taking to the floor after the Rector was the Minister of Infrastructure, Dariusz Klimczak:

I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the students who have chosen this prestigious University.  This University represents your future — and you are the future of Poland. [...] I wish you every success. There are many people here today who are proud of the path you have chosen, whether it is navigation, transport, engineering, or computer science —  they are all of special importance to the Polish state. [...] These fields are the foundation of the successful development of our maritime economy. That is why, as the Polish state, we want to ensure the best possible conditions for study. We have decided that in next year's budget, investment in Poland's maritime universities will be five times higher than previously. [...] We have also decided to launch a programme for the construction of new ships, including a successor to the Dar Młodzieży, on which we are inaugurating the University's new academic year.

During his speech, the Minister of Infrastructure, Dariusz Klimczak, referred to the decision of the Polish Government to fund the construction of a successor to the Dar Młodzieży and presented HM The Rector of GMU, Professor Adam Weintrit, with the government Resolution, which is the basis for beginning to work on the construction of the University's new tall ship. He also spoke of his hope that the new ship will be quickly built so that those students who are beginning their studies this academic year will be able to learn and undergo training.

Also addressing the students was the Head of the GMU Student Parliament, Tobiasz Chęciński:

Each and every one of you came here today with your own history. [...] We are united by one thing: the decision to put trust in this University and in ourselves, that we have what it takes. Gdynia Maritime University [..] is a place where passion, tradition, and modernity meet. A place where you can experiment, try new things, learn not only what is taught in books but also learn that which is really important: responsibility, teamwork, and the courage to make decisions. Do not forget, however, that student life is also about meeting people, friendship, and taking trips together, which live in your memory for many years.

From among the letters of congratulations received by the University, Senator of the Republic of Poland, Sławomir Rybicki, read the words of the Marshal of the Senate, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, in which she conveyed her warm wishes on the occasion of the inauguration of the new academic year and offered her congratulations on the positive decision to fund the construction of the successor to the Dar Młodzieży. She also underlined the enormous amount of work connected with the project:

At this point, I would like to congratulate you on your success in your efforts to secure the construction of a new sailing vessel. Thanks to the determination of the Rector and the Senate, in recent days, a historic decision has been made by the government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk to build the successor to the Dar Młodzieży. The ship will serve the students of Gdynia Maritime University and promote Poland across the world's oceans. I am well aware of the tremendous effort you have put into turning this great project into a reality. We had the opportunity to discuss it during our meeting last year, and I am therefore all the more convinced that without your perseverance, this achievement would not have been possible.

The ceremony for the Inauguration of the Academic Year 2025/2026 provided an occasion for the presentation of awards for significant achievements in teaching granted by the Minister of Infrastructure, Dariusz Klimczak. Awards were presented to:

• Dr Sambor Wiesław Guze,
• Dr Agnieszka Blokus-Dziula,
• Captain Paweł Kołakowski,
• Dr Justyna Molenda,
• Dr Captain Przemysław Wilczyński.

On behalf of the awarded team, the award was presented to Dr Sambor Guze, Deputy Rector for Education and Student Affairs, by the Minister of Infrastructure and the Rector of GMU.

The Minister of Infrastructure, in the company of the Rector of Gdynia Maritime University, also presented awards for the best marine-specialisation students at Gdynia Maritime University.

The award for the best ship automation engineer went to Paweł Jędryczka, the award for the best ship engineer went to Sebastian Korzyniewski, and the award for the best navigator was presented to Wiktoria Wójcicka.

The ceremonial Inauguration of the Academic Year 2025/2026 came to a close with a performance of the Hymn to the Baltic and the exit parade of the Gdynia Maritime University banner, accompanied by the Gdynia Maritime University guard of honour.

We would like to thank all who participated in the ceremony for the inauguration of the new academic year at Gdynia Maritime University. Thank you also to all those who sent letters of congratulations. Your presence at what is such an important event for our academic institution is proof of the esteem and affection you hold for Gdynia Maritime University.

Congratulations to all 1st year students and doctoral candidates on joining the GMU academic community!

Photos Jacek Koślicki