World Shipbuilders' Congress to Be Held at Gdańsk University of Technology This Year – Letter of Intent Signed | Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology at the Gdańsk University of Technology

The document was signed by Professor Mariusz Deja, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Shipbuilding, Ireneusz Karaśkiewicz, Director of the Employers' Association Forum Okrętowe, and Professor Damian Bocheński, on behalf of the Chairman of the Shipbuilders' Brotherhood KOGA, Edmund Ledwoń.

The initiative to organise the World Shipbuilders' Congress was proposed by the shipbuilding community affiliated with the Employers' Association Forum Okrętowe and the Shipbuilders' Brotherhood KOGA.

80 Years of History

• We have set the date for the 80th anniversary celebration of the Ship Design Institute at Gdańsk University of Technology for 21 June 2025. However, we want to begin intensive preparations for this event already now. Not only because we aim to give it the proper significance, but also because we intend to use the preparation period to promote shipbuilding studies. We will organise the celebrations together with two organisations particularly close to us: the Employers' Association Forum Okrętowe, of which we are a member and which strongly supports us in our activities, and the Shipbuilders' Brotherhood KOGA, which brings together the graduates of the Ship Design Institute, said Professor Mariusz Deja, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Shipbuilding at Gdańsk University of Technology.

• Education at the Ship Design Institute is not just about acquiring knowledge, but also about forming lasting emotional connections with the university, where we spend some of the most memorable years of our lives during our transition into adulthood. Friendships are formed that endure for years, though, unfortunately, many of these connections are eventually lost. Together with the Shipbuilders' Brotherhood KOGA, we want to help rebuild these bonds, and the anniversary celebrations provide the perfect opportunity to reconnect with our alumni around the world, said Ireneusz Karaśkiewicz, Director of the Employers' Association Forum Okrętowe..

• The Ship Design Institute has been and continues to be an icon, a symbol of Gdańsk University of Technology's distinct identity, differentiating it from other universities in Poland due to its maritime focus. It is one of the recognised and respected centres of education. The existence of the Ship Design Institute at Gdańsk University of Technology has had and continues to have fundamental importance for the shipbuilding industry in Poland. Over 80 years, thousands of graduates have left its walls, and their skills are valued worldwide, added the Director of the Employers' Association Forum Okrętowe.

Integration of Alumni

• Building a strong shipbuilding community means creating the ethos of our industry, as well as establishing and maintaining interpersonal contacts. The aim and ambition of the Shipbuilders' Brotherhood KOGA is to integrate all graduates of the Ship Design Institute at Gdańsk University of Technology, exchange information, and foster a well-understood sense of "elitism" within our industry. To build a strong shipbuilding community, this is essential. The World Shipbuilders' Congress, for which we are already organising, is a perfect opportunity for this, emphasised Edmund Ledwoń, President of the Board of the Shipbuilders' Brotherhood KOGA.

More Information Coming Soon

• We will soon create a website for the event, where we will share updates on the organisational progress and provide an opportunity to register for participation in the congress. Our media partner, Portalmorski.pl, will regularly inform the public about our activities. We have a lot of work ahead of us, and time, contrary to appearances, is limited. So, we are getting to work in full force, said Dr. Hab. Damian Bocheński, Coordinator of the World Shipbuilders' Congress.

The Employers' Association Forum Okrętowe and the Shipbuilders' Brotherhood KOGA are providing organisational patronage over the event, while Portalmorski.pl will serve as the media patron.