Gdynia Maritime University GMU

 

What is Virtual University?

Virtual University (VU) is an online student services system. Gdynia Maritime University students can log in to the portal using their album number, e-mail address or pesel number.
Login here: https://wu.umg.edu.pl

 

What is ILIAS?

An online platform to which Gdynia Maritime University academic teachers upload materials for students. To gain access to materials, students need to create and activate an account by visiting: https://ilias.umg.edu.pl/login.php?target=&client_id=AMGdynia&auth_stat

 

Is there a student email account?

Yes, Gdynia Maritime University students can register for a University email account (examplej.kowalski [at] student.umg.edu.pl ( (link sends e-mail) )

Gdynia Maritime University students also have access to Microsoft Office365 (https://office365.umg.edu.pl/ ) and the wireless eduroam network.

 

What foreign languages do students learn at Gdynia Maritime University?

All students are required to learn English. 

 

Do students have the opportunity to study abroad?

Gdynia Maritime University takes part in the Erasmus+ programme.

As part of the programme, GMU students may spend part of their course studying at a partner university, on an internship, or in work experience in participating countries. Study abroad is offered for a period of between 3 and 12 months, and an internship/training between 2 and 12 months. Information is displayed on the notice boards of all faculties at the University and near the Office for International Cooperation. In addition, Erasmus+ Faculty Coordinators provide full information to each faculty.

The following conditions must be met to attend a scholarship abroad:

• be a matriculated GMU student,
• have completed year 1 of a 1st-cycle (bachelor's) degree or the first semester of a 2nd-Cycle (master's) degree,
• have a high-grade average (the higher the better),
• have a very good command of English, German, Spanish or Italian, depending on the host country,
• be able to cover the cost of living during your stay on a scholarship  (Erasmus+ funding only covers the increased cost of living abroad!).
• Under the Erasmus+ programme, students from all faculties may study abroad, however, internships and work experience placements are available to students of the Faculty of Navigation and Faculty of Electrical Engineering only.
• For more information on the programme, please visit: https://umg.edu.pl/en/erasmus

 

What scholarships or financial support can I apply for during my studies at Gdynia Maritime University?

Gdynia Maritime University students may apply for financial assistance in the form of a social scholarship, a grant for persons with disabilities, a Rector's scholarship and an assistance grant. In particularly justified cases, a student may receive an increased social grant.

More information: https://umg.edu.pl/scholarships

 

Do Gdynia Maritime University students have to attend a work experience placement?

Yes, students of all disciplines attend relevant work placements. Maritime students attend seamanship training on GMU training vessels and merchant fleet ships.

 

What are the Dean's hours and the Rector's hours?

These are hours free of classes, as periodically designated by the Rector or Dean of the Faculty, to allow students to take part in an event.

 

Is it compulsory to attend lectures?

Although encouraged, it is not compulsory to attend lectures. The exception are lectures on subjects within the framework of the STCW Convention - attendance at these lectures shall be verified.

Under the Rules and Regulations of Study "Students of maritime disciplines" subject to the STCW Convention are obliged to take part in all types of classes in conventional subjects, regardless of the year of study."

 

What is the STCW Convention?

The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) establishes minimum basic requirements for training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers on an international level. The STCW Convention applies to students studying maritime disciplines. Subjects covered by the Convention are compulsory.

 

What is the "zero exam"?

An exam that takes place before the beginning of the examination session. The date of the exam shall be determined by the subject lecturer. The exam is not mandatory, but passing the exam allows students to begin their holidays at an earlier date.

 

What is the difference between laboratory sessions and practicals?

Practicals are one of the main types of classes students attend during their degree. They aim to deepen the topics presented during the lectures. Labs are practical activities involving the independent examination of theories, testing, measurement, or completion of a task or a project.

 

When do I have to choose a dissertation supervisor?

Under the Rules and Regulations for Study “Dissertations written as part of a 2nd-cyle degree may be supervised by an academic teacher qualified at the postgraduate level or an associate professor, and in the case of 1st-cycle degrees an academic teacher qualified at the postgraduate level, an associate professor, or an academic teacher qualified at the doctoral level in a related discipline.” 

What are student consultations? Where can information be found on the location and times allocated for consultations with members of the academic teaching staff?

These are windows of time allocated by Gdynia Maritime University's academic teachers during which students may raise any questions or doubts they may have.

Teachers shall announce the dates and times that they are available for consultation during the first class of the course. Information can also be found on the faculty noticeboards. Consultations are usually held in the academic teacher's room.

 

What are the most important regulations for students?

• The Student Ethical Code of Conduct;
• Regulations: https://umg.edu.pl/en/forstudents/regulations

 

Who is the Prefect, and what are his responsibilities?

The prefect is a student chosen by their classmates to represent the interests of the group. The prefect may be involved, for example, when determining the dates of colloquiums, additional assessments, and dividing the class into groups.

The student performing this role is always better informed, familiar with the inner workings of the University, and learns effective communication.

 

What are the exam periods (sesja) and when are they?

The exam periods are periods of time at the end of the semester (usually in January and June) when exams are held. No classes are scheduled during the exam period.

The examination period is followed by a resit period.

 

What is matriculation?

Matriculation is the process by which candidates are officially admitted to Gdynia Maritime University and acquire student rights. Matriculation takes place at the moment of swearing the student oath - without which candidates can not be granted student rights.

 

For what reasons may students be removed from their course?

The Dean may decide to remove the student from the course in cases of: 1) failure to attend; 2) resignation; 3) failure to submit a dissertation or sit an examination by the given deadline; 4) expulsion from the University.

2. The Dean may decide to remove the student from the course in cases of a lack of progress in the course, demonstrated by a failure to pass a repeated subject on more than one occasion; non-attendance of compulsory classes (e.g., "conventional" subjects); failure to pass a semester or a year of study within a certain period of time; non-payment of fees due in connection with the course of study; failure to formally take-up the course of study, if four weeks after the beginning of the semester the student has not confirmed the taking of the oath in writing or does not take part (unjustifiable absences) in classes (lectures, practicals, laboratory and project sessions).

 

Can I lose my student status?

Yes. To have student status means to be a student of a specific university and have the associated rights. A person admitted to study begins his course and acquires the rights of a student once he has taken the oath.

Student status is lost on completion of the course or in the event of removal from the course.

 

What do I have to do to secure a place in student accommodation (dorms)?

Following confirmation of admission to a course of study, students should apply to the Dean's office to be allocated a place in student accommodation. Gdynia Maritime University has some 650 places in 3 dorms.

 

How much does a place in a student dormitory cost?

A monthly stay of a Gdynia Maritime University student in student accommodation during the 2021/2022 academic year was PLN 380,00.

 

What does the Gdynia Maritime University Student's Parliament do?

The GMU Student's Parliament is an academic body of the Student Council. Parliament's role is to represent all students before the University's authorities and to represent the interests and needs of the students. Representatives of the Student Parliament are members of the Senate, the University Council and many University committees. They have a tangible impact on the functioning of the University. The GMU Student's Parliament organises events such as initiations, the Gdynia Student Culture Festival - Delfinalia, and many competitions and attractions for students of our University. Above all, the Parliament aims to be open to the needs and problems of students. The GMU Student's Parliament is a member of national student associations such as The Parliament of Polish Students and the Technical University Forum.

The Student Parliament office is located in room B412.

 

Can I become a member of the Gdynia Maritime University Student Parliament?

Every student may become a member of the GMU Student Parliament. Parliament's term of office shall be two years and shall be preceded by elections.
Should members of the parliament complete their studies during their term of office, supplementary elections may be organised. To become a member of the GMU Student Parliament, students should submit their candidacy to the Student Election Commission following the announcement of the election date and make efforts to attract as many votes as possible within their faculty. Naturally, any prior effort to gain recognition in the faculty will also be of help.

 

What other student organisations can I contribute to?

All GMU students can get involved in student organisations, such as:

• Scientific Circles,
• GMU Academic Choir,
• Guard of Honour,
• Maritime Associations,
• sports sections.

 

What does the Student Careers Office do?

The Student Career Office (SCO) is mainly concerned with establishing and maintaining contacts with employers to source opportunities for employment, work experience and traineeships for Gdynia Maritime University students. The SCO also provides students with support in completing applications and preparing for job interviews.

The University also cooperates with organisations that bring together graduates of Gdynia Maritime University, involving graduates in shaping the course of the University's development and in promoting higher education at the Maritime University.

The Student Careers Office is located in room B-118.

 

How should students address their lecturers?

Academic tradition is governed by its principles and it is better not to ignore them. Teachers in higher education should be properly named, not only when directly addressing them, but also when referring to them in conversation with others. Take note of the title and/or qualification of each person leading your classes.

To avoid what might be an awkward situation, the degree or academic title of a given teacher can be checked in the staff directory on the University's website or the person's office door. Get used to saying Professor or Doctor. Sometimes the academic teacher leading the class also holds the position of dean or deputy dean of the faculty. In which case, it may be more appropriate to address the person as "Dean". If the person holds the position of rector or deputy rector, it is customary to address them as “Rector”.

 

What are ECTS credits?

The ECTS credits are defined in the European system for the accumulation and transfer of credits as a measure of the average amount of work required to achieve the expected learning outcomes. Each of the subjects taught during a given semester is assigned a certain number of credits. To pass each semester, students must attain 30 credits.

 

What is a credit deficit?

A credit deficit is a specific number of points which allows students to apply for a conditional pass for the semester in question. A credit deficit is not permitted during the last semester of study.

 

Who is entitled to wear a uniform?

Gdynia Maritime University is a uniformed civil university. Students of maritime disciplines may wear the uniform during the second year of their studies. Students who are members of the GMU Guard of Honour, the GMU Student Parliament and the Academic Choir are also entitled to wear the uniform.

 

Who can I turn to if I have a problem?

Depending on the type of problem, in the first instance, it is best to seek advice from the Head of Year. Students are always introduced to the Heads of Years on their first day at the University during organisational meetings.

In each faculty, the Dean appoints 3 deputy deans. Students may also approach one of the deputy deans during office hours.