80 years and beyond. An outdoor exhibition on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Medical University of Gdańsk

11.09.2025

An outdoor exhibition has been installed in front of St. Catherine’s Church in Gdańsk to mark the 80th anniversary of the Medical University of Gdańsk. The display consists of 15 panels illustrating the development of the University – established on 8th October 1945 – in its key areas: education, research, healthcare and infrastructure.

The exhibition commemorates the pioneers of Gdańsk medicine – first lecturers and students – while also showcasing the University’s scientific and clinical achievements, its present successes, and future plans.

One of the main goals of the exhibition was to highlight the strength of tradition and the importance of science for the community. For eighty years, the Medical University of Gdańsk has not only educated physicians and conducted research but has also co-created the history and identity of the city, said Adam Szarszewski, Ph.D., D.Sc. of the Division of History and Philosophy of Medical Sciences at the MUG, co-author of the concept and texts of the exhibition.



The exhibition presents the MUG as a dynamically developing medical university which draws inspiration not only from its own 80-year tradition but also from international experience and the legacy of earlier eras.

It is worth stopping by this exhibition, as it presents in an engaging format the history and accomplishments of our University and its role in the history of Gdańsk. The outdoor form allows visitors to combine a stroll through the Old Town with learning about the rich tradition and contemporary achievements of the MUG, said Ewa Bojaruniec-Król, Ph.D. of the Division of History and Philosophy of Medical Sciences at the MUG, co-author of the exhibition.



Bringing the exhibition into the urban space is an excellent opportunity to learn about the University’s history – from the establishment of the Medical Academy in 1945, through the growth of education and research, to today’s accomplishments and international cooperation, added Piotr Paluchowski, Ph.D. of the Division of History and Philosophy of Medical Sciences at the MUG, co-author of the exhibition.

The Medical University of Gdańsk, and previously the Medical Academy, has from its very beginning been not only part of the city’s landscape but one of the key organs of its civic fabric. Our patients, students, and staff live in Gdańsk – many of them have tied their lives to the city because they chose to study, work or receive treatment here. We all take pride in the word ‘Gdańsk’ in the name of our University and we treat it with utmost respect. We act with courage, but also prudence, in both medical care and scientific research, said Prof. Michał Markuszewski, Rector of the Medical University of Gdańsk.

The exhibition is the result of cooperation between the staff of the Division of History and Philosophy of Medical Sciences at the MUG and the University’s Department Promotion and Communication Office.



The main challenge was to visually present 80 years of the University’s history on just 15 panels. I believe that the carefully curated large collection of photographs, infographics and eye-catching colour palette will encourage both Gdańsk residents and tourists to discover the history of our University while strolling through the city, said Zuzanna Zapisek from the Department of Promotion and Communication at the MUG, author of the exhibition’s graphic.

This is a unique opportunity to explore the history of a University which, for 80 years, has educated successive generations while becoming a permanent part of the city’s history and development. We warmly invite you to visit the exhibition and to discover the joy of creation that has accompanied generations of academics.

The project was made possible through the cooperation of the Medical University of Gdańsk and the Museum of Gdańsk.

The exhibition in front of St. Catherine’s Church will remain on display until October 6, after which it will travel to various parts of the city.

On 8th October, the jubilee inauguration of the academic year Bridge between Generations 1945–2025 will take place. More information is available at: https://mug.edu.pl/86353.html