The inaugural edition of the postgraduate program “Education for Sustainable Development: Offshore Wind Energy”- conducted at the University of Gdańsk by the Centre for Sustainable Development in collaboration with the UG Centre for the Maritime Economics Studies- concluded with a ceremonial meeting. Attendees included the program’s graduates and Vice-Rector Prof. Sylwia Mrozowska (UG), Dr. Krzysztof Szczepaniak (Director of the Centre for Sustainable Development), Prof. Dorota Pyć (UG) (Director of the Centre for the Maritime Economics Studies and program head), as well as Paweł Mawduk (representative of Polenergia) and Jakub Budzyński (Vice-President of the Polish Offshore Wind Energy Society).
The meeting took place on July 20, 2023 at the University of Gdańsk’s Center for Sustainable Development and took place in a pleasant atmosphere. Many arguments appeared in short speeches justifying the need for interdisciplinary education in the field of renewable energy. It was emphasized that in Poland, the significant benefits of the emerging offshore wind energy sector include the creation of new jobs, and representatives of various industries involved in the implementation of offshore projects cooperate with the administration and interested entities. For this cooperation to be effective, the so-called soft skills of employees. Postgraduate studies conducted at the University of Gdańsk Education for sustainable development: Offshore wind energy are the only studies in Poland focused on building soft skills in offshore.
“We are delighted to celebrate the completion of the first edition of our study programme together today. I hope it has met your expectations. We are continuing to expand our offshore-related educational offerings at the University of Gdańsk. We have organized a second edition of the postgraduate programme in offshore wind energy, and further editions will follow. We have also established partnerships with entities such as Polenergia and the Polish Offshore Wind Energy Society,” said Dr. hab. Sylwia Mrozowska, Prof. UG, Vice-Rector for Cooperation and Development.
“For us lecturers, the first edition of the MEW postgraduate program has been a unique and motivating experience, thanks to your engagement. You asked various questions and shared your insights, which helped create a truly creative atmosphere during classes- something for which I would like to express my sincere thanks,” said the program director, Dr. Hab. Dorota Pyć, Professor at the University of Gdańsk.
Next, Dr. Krzysztof Szczepaniak, Director of the UG Centre for Sustainable Development, congratulated the graduates and highlighted the immense importance of the offshore sector for the economic development of coastal regions. Meanwhile, Paweł Mawduk, Offshore Wind Project Manager at Polenergia, discussed the need to involve not only large enterprises but also small and medium-sized businesses in the offshore wind energy industry. Finally, Jakub Budzyński from the Polish Offshore Wind Energy Society drew attention to the sector’s dynamic growth and its huge demand for human capital-seeking not only graduates with backgrounds in STEM fields but also those from the humanities.