Agreement between the Fahrenheit Universities and the Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe
3.02.2023
The Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk University of Technology and the University of Gdańsk signed a cooperation agreement with the Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ) company. The main purpose of the agreement signed on 2nd of February 2023 is the development of human resources potential for the nuclear industry as part of the project to build the first nuclear power plant in Poland. The ceremony was attended by Dariusz Drelich, Pomeranian Voivode and Mieczysław Struk, Marshal of the Voivodeship. Prof. Michał Markuszewski, Vice-Rector for science of the MUG, Plenipotentiary of the Rector for the Fahrenheit Union of Universities in Gdańsk was also present.
– Pomerania is the region where the first nuclear power plant in Poland will be built. Due to the size and importance of this strategic project, specialists from the Pomeranian region will find employment in it, both during the construction and subsequent operation of the power plant. Therefore, already at this stage of the investment project, the company is developing cooperation with key universities in Gdańsk – said Tomasz Stępień, President of the Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe.
The signed agreement defines the framework for cooperation between Fahrenheit Universities (FarU) and Polish Nuclear Power Plants. Includes e.g. development of fields related to nuclear energy, preparing students and graduates to enter the labor market in the energy sector, conducting selected educational classes for students by PNP employees and co-organizing communication and information events and meetings for the development of a social dialogue platform.
Prof. Marcin Gruchała
– We are aware of the amount of work required to build and operate a nuclear power plant. Nuclear energy brings numerous benefits that should be created and used responsibly for the common benefit and broadly understood safety – pointed Prof. Marcin Gruchała, Chairman of the Assembly of the Fahrenheit Union of Universities, Rector of the Medical University of Gdańsk. – The knowledge and competence of specialists representing FarU member universities will provide the necessary support at every stage of this important project for our region.
Competency hub
The nuclear power plant construction project is a long-term process involving many specialists and experts from various disciplines. Fahrenheit universities have nearly 42,000 students and 3,800 academic staff. And the demand for high-class specialists in this sector will grow – especially in the Pomeranian region due to the planned investment.
– _ Gdańsk University of Technology has many years of experience in educating staff for the nuclear industry, hence we are now returning to the “nuclear energy” specialization_ – said Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of the Gdańsk University of Technology. – We also periodically open research centres where our scientists carry out projects and expert opinions for companies from various industries, e.g. offshore wind energy or hydrogen technologies. We are currently preparing to open the Gdańsk Tech Nuclear Energy Centre, thanks to which we will have an even greater impact on the economic development of our region.
– Modern nuclear energy is a low-emission, stable and safe source of energy. In the face of the global energy crisis, its presence together with renewable energy sources in the so-called energy mix becomes indispensable. However, introducing this type of power plant to our energy market requires good and responsible preparation. The fact that scientists and students from three FarU universities are involved in this project also shows the growing importance of our cooperation within the Fahrenheit Universities – added Prof. Piotr Stepnowski, Rector of the University of Gdańsk.
Fahrenheit Universities were established to make the best use of the resources and potential of the three universities that make it up. The main activities of the Union focus on developing solutions supporting joint research and development work, as well as recommendations for consolidation in order to create in Pomerania one of the strongest academic centres in the country.
– As the Fahrenheit Universities, we have proven that integration on many levels is possible and brings many benefits. We want to do this also in this case – pointed out Marcin Jaskólski, Ph.D., Deputy Director of the Nuclear Energy Centre of the Gdańsk University of Technology, who during the ceremony gave a presentation on the potential of FarU as a partner supporting the project of building the first nuclear power plant in Poland.
photo Alan Stocki/UG