Gdynia Maritime University GMU

On 20 September, on board the STS Dar Młodzieży, a ceremony took place for the presentation of diplomas to graduates of the 1st edition of the Executive Offshore Wind MBA programme organised by the Offshore Wind Energy Centre at Gdynia Maritime University.

The event was opened by HM The Rector of Gdynia Maritime University, Professor Adam Weintrit, who in congratulating those receiving their diplomas, underlined Poland's potential in the offshore industry: 

Poland aims to build a wind energy sector to match the one present in countries, such as Germany and Denmark. Together we can achieve this. However, we are in the very early stages, and I believe that only by working together Poland can become a big player in the European market.

The graduates were also congratulated by the Deputy Rector for Student Affairs and Education, Dr Sambor Guze, who during the ceremony emphasised that the MBA qualification received also comes with a commitment of sorts, as in the future the graduates of the programme will be ambassadors not only for Gdynia Maritime University but also for Poland, and the knowledge and skills acquired by them during their studies should be used to serve the community.

During the ceremony, Professor Dominic Kudlacek of Hochschule Bremerhaven, the University's MBA programme partner, also took to the floor, stressing that in addition to the knowledge of renewable energy sources, programme participants also acquired the ability to create innovative solutions and explore new technologies, which in the future will also us to become independent from fossil fuels and contribute to the further development and growth of the economy. Jakub Budzyński, Deputy CEO of the Polish Wind Energy Association and a lecturer on the programme, stressed the uniqueness of the Executive Offshore Wind MBA's programme, reminding us that its creation was a courageous and innovative project, which until the creation of the programme at GMU in 2020 was conducted by only two universities in the world - Hochschule Bremerhaven (Germany) and Business Academy SouthWest (Denmark).

The presentation of the diplomas was preceded by a summary of the 1st edition of the MBA programme, during which the Director of the Offshore Wind Energy Centre, Dr Tomasz Harackiewicz, pointed out that the programme's graduates had participated in 540 contact hours at the University as well as visiting many leading companies from the sector and taking part in webinars with industry experts as well as a study tour of Esbjerg in Denmark, the world capital of the offshore wind industry.

The study programme was no doubt a challenge for the graduates but also for their families due to the challenges associated with combining study with their careers and personal lives. Dr Tomasz Harackiewicz, who is also the Director of the MBA programmes, stressed that all of those present, both graduates, as well as the representatives of Gdynia Maritime University and Hochschule Bremerhaven, are part of the green transition and can be proud of their contribution to a better future for our planet.

The programme's lecturers and University authorities were thanked on behalf of the students of the Executive Offshore Wind MBA programme by graduate Pitor Żeglarski.

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The Executive Offshore Wind MBA postgraduate programme is conducted in English in collaboration with Hochschule Bremerhaven (Germany) and Business Academy SouthWest (Denmark). Lectures are conducted by a faculty of more than 40 experts from Poland, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, and France.

Graduates of the Executive Offshore Wind MBA programme gain practical managerial competencies at a strategic and operational level in the most important areas of management. They also gain universal competencies (including strategy, finance, and human resources management) as well as knowledge and skills specific to the OWE sector (e.g., logistics and supply chain, wind farm economy, and legal regulations).

The University is currently accepting applications for the fourth edition of the Executive Offshore Wind MBA run by the Gdynia Maritime University Offshore Wind Energy Centre. The programme is designed for professionals in the offshore wind industry, as well as individuals and companies planning to develop their activities within the industry. The forecasted potential of the offshore wind industry means Executive Offshore Wind MBA graduates have excellent career development prospects in the highest managerial positions at many companies within the sector.

For more information on admission to the MBA programme, please visit: O About Executive MBA in Offshore Wind Energy | Gdynia Maritime University (umg.edu.pl/en)

Photos by Piotr Polaszek