Gdynia Maritime University GMU

Laudation on the occasion of the conferral of a the honorary title of Dr honoris causa
by Gdynia Maritime University on Professor Hans Rummel

Your Magnificence,
Esteemed Senate,
Distinguished Professor,
Ladies and Gentlemen!

I am greatly honoured and privileged to act as the promoter in the proceedings for the conferral of the honorary title of Dr honoris causa by Gdynia Maritime University on Professor Hans Rummel.

Professor Rummel was born in 1941 in Ulm-Donau, in Germany. From 1964 to 1968, he studied at three centres of higher education: Johannes Gutenberg University (Mainz, Germany), Royal College of Advanced Technology (Salford, England), and Universidad Complutense (Madrid, Spain). After graduating with a degree in applied languages, he worked as a foreign language instructor in vocational education. In 1971, he began a postgraduate degree and, after graduating in 1972, he was employed as a professor of applied languages at Hochschule fur Nautik University in Bremen. During the years 1975 to 2006, he worked as an academic language teacher at the University of Applied Sciences Hochschule Bremerhaven.

Professor Rummel specialises in teaching and researching English language communication based on the English for Special Purposes method, in particular Maritime English. The Professor is the creator of language labs at the German Navigational College and Hochschule Bremerhaven. He designed and oversaw the development of one of the first computer-aided English language learning labs. In the 1980s, he became an internationally renowned instructor of Maritime English. He was actively involved and held various roles in associations such as the International Maritime Lecturers Association, the Association for Maritime English, and GAME. As an outstanding specialist in Maritime English, Professor Rummel has played an active part in several international conferences and seminars dedicated to improving the effective teaching of foreign languages.

In Professor Rummel's professional CV, his relations with the Maritime Higher School, Gdynia Maritime Academy and today's Gdynia Maritime University feature prominently. Since the beginning of cooperation between Gdynia Maritime University and Hochschule Bremerhaven, he has been deeply involved in the implementation of joint projects and the search for new initiatives. Since 1978, he has visited our University almost every year, delivering maritime communication courses in English. The Professor's teaching talent, as well as the high assessment of his classes by his students, led to him being invited to provide classes during training voyages. He lectured during a seven-month voyage of the "Dar Młodzieży" training ship as part of "Regatta Colon 92" and a nine-month voyage to Japan for "Osaka 97". 

Gdynia Maritime University students and staff who have attended Professor Rummel's classes, whether on board the "Dar Młodzieży" or at our University, have on many occasions attested to the high standard of his teaching. The contact of students with the Professor has made a significant contribution to the process of educating and shaping the attitudes of future merchant navy officers. In his work, Professor Rummel has always displayed openness to the views of others, especially his students; respect; understanding of cultural differences; friendliness; and a willingness to help. These character traits were especially highlighted in the opinion provided by Professor Piotr Jędrzejowicz. 

In 2006, Professor Rummel obtained a grant from the German Herder Foundation, which financed his stay at Gdynia Maritime University as a lecturer of Maritime English for an entire academic year. His stay was extended for the following year, during which he was employed directly by the University. For the past several years, Professor Rummel has hosted annually a team of lecturers at our University as part of a joint Polish-German seminar entitled "Joint Seminars", which is attended by students of both universities. 

The Professor has also played a central role in actively maintaining the cooperation agreed in a contract in 1978 between Gdynia Higher Maritime School and its legal successors and Hochschule Bremerhaven. For almost 30 years, Professor Rummel has acted as the plenipotentiary of subsequent Rectors of Hochschule Bremerhaven in cooperation with Gdynia Maritime University. In this role, he has supported all initiatives undertaken as part of the cooperation between the two universities with his authority and involvement. These have included internships and teaching stays; the launching of a dual degree programme for both universities; the exchange of students within the framework of the Erasmus programme; and the editing of a joint scientific journal entitled "Joint Proceedings". 

In March 1993, on Professor Rummel's initiative, the Association of Friends of "Dar Młodzieży" was founded and registered under German law. The Association supports the main endeavours of Gdynia Maritime University's tall ship. The current chair of the Association is Professor Rummel. Thanks to the efforts of the Association, the ship has gained some valuable equipment provided by local donors, including an ARPA radar, bikes for the crew used during stays in port, a satellite television system, and many other donations.

Professor Rummel's exceptional regard for our frigate, as well as respect for the Polish flag, are shown during the annual welcome of the "Dar Młodzieży" to the port of Bremerhaven. Each year, Professor Rummel accompanies the ship along the port channel to the mooring and, upon boarding, hands the Captain a bouquet of white and red carnations.

As expressed by Professor Jędrzejowicz in his opinion, in Professor Hans Rummel Gdynia Maritime University has a loyal and unfailing friend. His contribution to the development of cooperation between Gdynia Maritime University and Hochschule Bremerhaven is exceptional and considerable. Equally important is the Professor's contribution to the reinforcement of European values among the students and staff of both universities, friendly working relations with partners, the willingness to help, mutual respect, and a love for the sea and the mariner profession. The extraordinary personality of Professor Rummel, his achievements in the development of teaching methods and tools for Maritime English, his educational achievements, and his outstanding contribution to the development of cooperation between Gdynia Maritime University and Hochschule Bremerhaven provide the basis for the award of a this honorary title.

Professor Alexis Papathanasis, the Rector of Hochschule Bremerhaven, states that the outstanding achievements of Professor Rummel in education, scientific research and international cooperation make him a worthy candidate for the conferral of the conferral of the honorary title of Dr honoris causa. His dedication to his students; innovative teaching methods; contribution to research; and his undeterred involvement in intercultural understanding are all examples of his great value for both the academic community and society. His wisdom, experience and passion will continue to inspire generations of educators, researchers and advocates to fruitful cooperation and intercultural harmony. Professor Roman Śmierzchalski also stressed that Professor Rummel is an outstanding creator of international relations, always ready to share his knowledge and experience in developing cooperation between nations. The contribution of Professor Rummel to the development of maritime education links between Gdynia Maritime University and Hochschule Bremerhaven is especially significant. 

For his achievements and his contribution to cooperation between the two universities, the Professor has gained recognition both in Poland and in Germany. The President of Poland decorated him with the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, and the Rector of Gdynia Maritime University awarded him "For Meritorious Service to Gdynia Maritime University". In turn, the Senate of Hochschule Bremerhaven made him an Honorary Member.

For my part, I would like to underline once again that the acceptance of the honrary title of Doctor honoris causa by Professor Hans Rummel is a great honour and distinction for Gdynia Maritime University. I am convinced that he will continue to contribute significant value to the development of our University, serving as its prominent ambassador and a pioneer in international maritime education. We welcome to our academic community a man of exceptional personality, characterised by wisdom, professionalism, a humanistic perception of the world, and modesty.

At the end of my laudation, I would also like to stress that the nomination of Professor Rummel for the award of the honorary title of Dr honoris causa by Gdynia Maritime University received a favourable opinion from the Senate of four higher education institutions: Gdynia Maritime University, the University of Applied Sciences Hochschule Bremerhaven, the Polish Naval Academy, and the Maritime University of Szczecin. 

Professor Piotr Przybyłowski, DSc(Eng)
Gdynia Maritime University