Prof. Edmund Wittbrodt was awarded a distinction for his outstanding contribution to the Pomeranian region of Poland | Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology at the Gdańsk University of Technology

The award ceremony took place on 31st March 2025 during the XIII session of the Pomeranian Regional Assembly. In his laudation, Marshal Mieczysław Struk emphasised that the award was a gesture of gratitude for Professor Wittbrodt's invaluable achievements for Pomerania. He also highlighted that the professor, through his openness to dialogue and consistent actions, has the ability to unite people around common goals, all while remaining humble and self-reflective.

Upon receiving the award, Professor Edmund Wittbrodt expressed his gratitude to the initiators of the distinction, including the Rector of Gdańsk University of Technology, Professor Krzysztof Wilde, Marshal Mieczysław Struk, and the Chairman of the Regional Assembly, Jan Kleinszmidt. He also stressed the importance of values such as self-governance, tolerance, and openness, referencing the ideals of Lech Bądkowski, which form the foundation of democracy. The professor also mentioned his collaboration with many distinguished individuals, whose support was crucial for the development of the Pomeranian economy and the cooperation between universities and the regional parliament. In conclusion, he extended special thanks to his family for their invaluable support.

Academic Achievements

Professor Edmund Wittbrodt, born in 1947 in Rumia, is a graduate of the Gdańsk University of Technology, where he completed his studies at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Technology in 1972. His research specialization includes fields such as machinery operation and construction, theoretical and applied mechanics, dynamics of mechanical systems, automation, robotics, and biomechanics. He has authored over 30 monographs and textbooks, along with more than 250 scientific publications.

Professor Wittbrodt served as the Rector of the Gdańsk University of Technology from 1990 to 1996 and was the Minister of National Education in 2000-2001. He was a member of the Polish Senate for five terms (1997-2015) and also served as a member of the European Convention, which prepared the Lisbon Treaty (2002-2003). As a senator, he was actively involved in the work of the Committee on Science, Education, and Sport, as well as the Committee on Foreign Affairs. He was also a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

In addition to his political career, Professor Wittbrodt is an active social and regional activist. He is a co-founder of the Kaszubian Institute and a member of the Kashubian-Pomeranian Association, of which he was president from 2016 to 2019. Thanks to his efforts, the headquarters of the Polish Space Agency is located in Gdańsk. He is a co-founder and the current chairman of the Scientific Committee on Space Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdańsk Branch (since 2017). Through his advocacy, the inter-university Master's programme in Space and Satellite Technologies was established in 2017.

In Prestigious Company

The Honorary Distinction for Services to the Pomeranian Region is a prestigious award given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of the region and the strengthening of its position in various areas of social, scientific, and cultural life. Professor Edmund Wittbrodt thus joins the ranks of distinguished personalities who have been honoured with this recognition.