Gdańsk University of Technology

Gdańsk University of Technology, founded in 1899, is one of the oldest technical universities in Poland and the oldest polytechnic in the present territory of the Republic of Poland. The university was opened in 1904 as the Royal Institute of Technology, and its headquarters were built in the style of the Dutch Neo-Renaissance. The main building, designed by Albert Carsten, stands out for its rich sculptural decoration, including symbolism referring to technology and science. Gdańsk University of Technology has groundbreaking significance in Polish higher education; as an autonomous institution, it plays a key role in the education of engineers, with an enrollment of approximately 20,000 students across eight faculties. An interesting fact is that the university was the site of many innovative cultural activities, such as the "Bim-Bom" theater in the 1950s, as well as the first independent Student Parliament in post-war Poland. Throughout its history, the university changed its name depending on political realities, and after World War II, it was transformed into Gdańsk University of Technology. The university has participated in national and international research projects, holding quality education certificates and accreditations from leading agencies. Gdańsk University of Technology keeps improving its facilities to support both academic and student life, with constant upgrades such as newly built research centers, sports facilities, and student dormitories. By 2021, the university acquired a historic building, thereby gaining additional land for further development. Interestingly, Gdańsk University of Technology has been included in global graduate rankings, highlighting its status as a high-quality educational center, with the status of a research university granted by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Among the important figures associated with the university are Johannes Hevelius, a great astronomer, and Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit, the inventor of the mercury thermometer. The university is also a place of rich academic tradition and innovative research, reflecting changes in Polish science and technology over the years.