Once you become a shipbuilder, it is for life!
On Saturday, June 21, 2025, the hospitable Gdańsk University of Technology became the venue for a unique meeting – the World Shipbuilders’ Reunion 2025, which took place on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Institute of Shipbuilding and the 121st anniversary of the Gdańsk University of Technology.
To mark the anniversary, the shipbuilding community – members of the FORUM OKRĘTOWE and the KOGA Shipbuilders Brotherhood – took the initiative organizing a reunion for shipbuilding graduates from around the world. Both associations were providing organizational patronage for the event, while Portalmorski.pl, in cooperation with the Oficynamorska.pl, were providing media patronage.
The partner of the reunion was the Gdańsk International Fair AMBEREXPO, and the reunion itself is an event accompanying the 23rd International Maritime and Military Fair BALTEXPO 2025, which will take place on 7-9.10.2025.
The supporting partners of the Congress were four leading companies from the shipbuilding industry in Poland with very close ties to the Gdańsk University of Technology: REMONTOWA Holding, PGZ Stocznia Wojenna, PRS and DNV.
The event, which attracted nearly 300 participants – shipbuilding study graduates including invited guests like Pomeranian Voivode Beata Rutkiewicz (also graduate of shipbuilding studies) – provided an opportunity for conversation, reminiscing, and the exchange of intergenerational experiences.
Opening the meeting, Irek Karaśkiewicz, director of FORUM OKRĘTOWE emphasized that studying at a University is not only about acquiring knowledge, but also about emotional connection with our Alma Mater, where we spent the most beautiful years of our life, entering adulthood. The knowledge acquired at the University accompanies us throughout our professional lives. Friendships are formed, often maintained for the years to come. The University has a lasting impact on our lives. Our connection with the University doesn’t end with graduation, but endures – hence our meeting today.
Over the past 80 years, around 8 000 shipbuilding engineers have graduated from the Gdansk University of Technology. This number does not include students of transportation, energy, and other programs also offered at the Shipbuilding Institute. Including them, the total would be approximately 12 000. Over 250 PhDs in technical sciences and over 50 habilitations have been awarded.
“We are proud to be shipbuilding engineers!” – concluded Irek Karaśkiewicz.
Welcoming the attendees, the Rector of Gdańsk University of Technology, Professor Krzysztof Wilde, PhD, DSc, Eng., emphasized the maritime nature of the university, which has always educated professionals for the broader maritime economy, including the shipbuilding industry. In this context, he highlighted investments in modern laboratories, including a modern towing tank used, among other things, for model testing of equipment constructed at Gdańsk University of Technology for the Navy and for civilian applications. He assured that the development of educational offerings and meeting the needs of industry will certainly continue in the future.
Next, the Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical and Shipbuilding Engineering at the Gdańsk University of Technology, Prof. Mariusz Deja, PhD, DSc, Eng., said that the shipbuilding industry is currently developing very dynamically, which is undoubtedly also the result of many years of education, over a hundred years since the founding of our University in the field of shipbuilding.
“As a faculty, we primarily offer education in fields closely related to the shipbuilding industry, in Polish and in English. To meet industry expectations, we offer specialized postgraduate programs, such as shipbuilding and offshore wind energy, which last two semesters and allow engineers to expand their expert knowledge. We are very pleased with the student activity within the KORAB Scientific Research Group, which annually achieves success in international competitions in various disciplines. Looking to the future of the faculty, we must quickly respond to the dynamically changing economic and geopolitical situation. We do this by implementing international projects and preparing new courses and forms of education in the area of digital skills,” said Prof. Deja.
The Dean emphasized that the integration of the maritime community has always been very strong. He wished all the participants many inspiring conversations and pleasant meetings, and assured them that the Faculty is always open to the Maritime Family.
Next, the Director of the Shipbuilding Institute, Prof. Wojciech Litwin, PhD, DSc, Eng., presented its current scientific and teaching potential. He highlighted new, innovative educational initiatives tailored to current challenges. He emphasized that the Shipbuilding Institute is constantly developing. It trains its staff and employs people with practical experience. New fields of study are being developed, tailored to the evolving needs of maritime companies. He emphasized that he considers conducting research initiated for specific needs, the results of which will be useful in practice, to be paramount. A recent success is the launch of “study and work” studies in cooperation with FORUM OKRĘTOWE, shipyards, and design offices.
Next, Marek Dzida, DSc, Eng., spoke about the history of the Gdańsk University of Technology’s Shipbuilding Institute from its inception. He outlined the history of the Gdańsk University of Technology since its founding in 1904. Marek Dzida emphasized that the Shipbuilding Reunion allows for a multi-generational gathering of our shipbuilding family, from all over the world. Those who graduated from the Faculty of Shipbuilding many years ago were amazed to see a modern University that respects the traditions of its heritage, with the preserved structure of its old buildings combined with a modern research and teaching base, trains new staff of shipbuilding engineers, and conducts innovative projects. It allows us to fondly recall old memories and renew friendships.
Unfortunately, the youngest shipbuilding graduates are not visible, as sentiments for the faculty come with age. He emphasized that this gathering reinforced his belief that the University of Technology has provided us with an excellent education, valued worldwide.
– We are shipbuilding engineers who bring glory to the Gdańsk University of Technology and Polish shipbuilding industry – concluded Marek Dzida
In addition, a short film was shown, created to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the FORUM OKRĘTOWE – organization co-founded by the long-time Rector of the Gdańsk University of Technology, the late Professor Jerzy Doerffer.
Next, students from the KORAB Ship Technology Student Association – Jagoda Fuks and Miłosz Tokarczyk – presented innovative ideas they are currently implementing, including a solar hydrofoil project and high-performance, human-powered vessels being prepared for international competitions. Additionally, the students shared a bit about the history of one of the oldest academic associations in Poland and presented a book celebrating its 100th anniversary.
Ms. Joanna Jankowska-Fąs from the AMBEREXPO Gdańsk International Fair talked about the development impulses for the Polish shipbuilding industry are the BALTEXPO International Maritime and Military Fair in its new organizational formula.
She emphasized that the BALTEXPO Maritime and Military Fair is much more than a traditional exhibition event – it is a dynamic space supporting the development of the maritime industry by connecting business, scientific, and technological communities. It provides a platform for exchanging knowledge, building relationships, and seeking innovative solutions, bringing together sector leaders, suppliers, partners, and specialists from various fields. An integral part of Baltexpo is the conference, which addresses current, often complex topics related to, among others, the participation of Polish companies in international projects, development strategies, investments, and broadly defined security. The Military Zone, focusing on the presentation of innovative solutions in defense and cybersecurity, is a response to contemporary geopolitical and technological challenges.
An Innovation Zone operates dedicated to startups and young companies, enabling them to showcase their technologies and establish valuable business contacts. Another important element of the event is the Education and Career Day, which not only supports the development of young talent by enabling them to connect directly with representatives of companies and institutions, but also assists entrepreneurs in finding potential employees and promoting their brand as an attractive employer.
And finally, at the end of the official part of the meeting, shipbuilding engineer Zygmunt Choreń, the “Father of Tall Ships,” presented the “Polish invention of the century” – his original concept of sail support for large transport ships, which has already found commercial application on a vessel being built in Germany.
Around 2:00 pm, the meeting participants lined up for the “Photography of Shipbuilders A.D. 2025” in front of the Main Building of Gdańsk University of Technology, followed by a feast – an outdoor gathering of shipbuilders in the vicinity of the Shipbuilding Institute, which lasted until the evening. During the feast, a modern towing tank was opened to the public. The guide was Professor Wojciech Litwin, Director of the Shipbuilding Institute.
Volunteers from the KORAB Ship Technology Student Association provided assistance with organizing the event. The atmosphere was enhanced by shanties performed by the Johnny Roger Band.
Link to the photo report from the “World Shipbuilders’ Reunion 2025” below:
