Graduates of the University of Gdańsk from various fields and years of study met on the campus in Oliwa on the last Saturday of May 2025 to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the university. Over three thousand people visited their Alma Mater, where they were treated to numerous attractions, including concerts, guided tours of the faculties, smaller meetings and refreshments. The oldest and youngest graduates of our university appeared on stage. Among the guests were all three Tri-City mayors, who are also graduates of the University of Gdańsk. Let's relive these emotions once again, thanks to the video report and photo gallery!

Celebrations at the faculties

Participants of the World UG Alumni Reunion began their visit to the campus by visiting their home faculties (graduates of the Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Management went to the Sopot campus, while those associated with oceanography went to Gdynia). There, they received wristbands entitling them to enter the venue of the subsequent mass event and had the opportunity to meet former lecturers and colleagues from their studies.

The older alumni were particularly impressed by the dynamic development of the campuses and the modernisation of the existing buildings. Some visited the Main Library, Ekopark, or the Neophilology building with the Prof. Jerzy Limon Theatre Hall for the very first time. Geography and biology graduates were particularly moved by the fact that their fields of study and departments had found their permanent homes:

‘I am most happy to see geography in one place,’ said Małgorzata Rechlewska, a geography graduate. ‘During my studies, commuting took up a lot of our time. I graduated in geography in 1980, still as Małgorzata Tkaczuk, and I still work in the profession, teaching geography.’

‘I am also delighted that biology is finally in one place,’ added Maria Kamińska-Kozłowska, a biology graduate. "What's more, the building is really wonderful! We were given a tour and were able to admire the beautiful exhibitions and, of course, the fin whale skeleton - it's very impressive! The professors were very kind, the guides were very nice, the building is beautiful, everything was the best!

Each of the 11 faculties of the University of Gdańsk offered its graduates attractions in line with its characteristics. The faculty events were also attended by the Rector of the University of Gdańsk, prof. Piotr Stepnowski.

Group photo

After the celebrations at the faculties, everyone was invited in front of the Main Library building, where a commemorative photo was taken. The photos were taken using traditional equipment (the photographer stood on the roof of the Main Library) and drones! This made it possible to capture a huge number of people in one photo! The drone photo was taken by renowned Gdańsk photographer Dariusz Kula, whose portfolio already includes, among others, a family photo of Gdańsk residents.

The photo can be viewed here: University of Gdańsk 55 years Group photo 0102 family photos Dariusz Kula Images

Let's celebrate together!

After the group photo, it was time to open the main event of the World Alumni Reunion, i.e. concerts and a university picnic.

‘The University of Gdańsk is not just buildings, not just campuses, although we are, of course, very proud of them. It is, above all, people! It is all of you!,’ said the Rector of the University of Gdańsk prof. Piotr Stepnowski welcoming the attendees.

The mayors of the Tri-City also shared their memories and reflections related to the University of Gdańsk from the stage: Mayor of Gdańsk Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Sopot Magdalena Czarzyńska-Jachim and Mayor of Gdynia Aleksandra Kosiorek. All three ladies are graduates of the University of Gdańsk and, as they emphasise, they will always carry their Alma Mater in their hearts.

Representatives of the oldest and youngest graduates were also invited to the stage.

‘I am extremely proud that I can also contribute to the creation of this community, just like you,’ said Zuzanna Szymańska, representative of the youngest generation of UG, who will complete her master's degree this year. ‘I can't wait to join the ranks of graduates! And I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank those of you who, in your work, do not forget about students, support students and student initiatives, come here, give lectures and interviews - thank you very much for your support!’

‘For you, for me, for everyone gathered here, this is a wonderful day!,’ said one of the oldest graduates, Jacek Mazur, who began his studies in 1970, the first year of the University of Gdańsk's existence. ‘Fifty-five years is not that long, but all this time is filled with memories, wonderful memories of the University of Gdańsk, its first rector, Mr Janusz Sokołowski, and the people who created it all. Us too! We who studied there at the time. I remember coming to classes in Sopot in 1970, the conditions were completely different from today’s! Let's remember those who started and those who graduated, because for all of us - for me, for Zuza - these are truly amazing memories.’

After short speeches, the stage was taken over by music bands associated with the academic community of the University of Gdańsk, including the band Four Houses and Studio Wokalne UG with their latest project ‘Back to boogie’. We would like to thank ACK UG ‘Alternator’, in particular Magdalena Niestoruk, Basia Madana and Michał Biełuszko, for organising the artistic part of the event.

Additional attractions awaited guests in the Main Library:

• Radio Gdańsk's field studio with live broadcasts;
• an exhibition related to the 55th anniversary of the University of Gdańsk (exhibition hall, ground floor);
• a stand of the University of Gdańsk Museum with the possibility of sending commemorative postcards to loved ones (in the afternoon, it was possible to take a bus to the Museum's headquarters on Bielańska Street and visit the permanent exhibition);
• a poster exhibition entitled ‘Not hackwork, but culture - student culture at the University of Gdańsk in the 1970s and 1980s’.

The greatest attraction, however,  was the opportunity to meet lecturers and colleagues from their studies after a long time. Both the food court and the deckchairs and relaxation areas were crowded with groups of friends, many of whom were meeting for the first time in years, as they live not only in different cities but also in different countries. Graduates came to visit us from Canada, Germany, Sweden and even China! There were couples who met during their studies, and families of graduates in which the UG gene is passed down from generation to generation.

UG gadgets were also very popular, especially the collection of clothes with the university logo, which could be purchased at the UG shop in the Library and at stands in front of the building.

The main organiser of the World Alumni Meeting was dr Tomasz Czuba, deputy director of the UG Communication and Promotion Centre, supported by the director of the CPC, Dorota Hebel, and the entire CPC team.

We invite you to view a photo report from the ceremony: Photo report from the World Alumni Meeting | News - University of Gdańsk