Gdynia Maritime University GMU

Education and Seamanship Training

Professor Daniel Kazimierz Duda (born 14th July 1933 in Bochnia) dedicated his professional career and social activism to the development of the maritime industry, maritime education, and his Alma Mater, at which he held the roles of dean, rector, institute director, and head of section. He served as rector for three terms during the years 1972-1981.

In 1955, he graduated from the State Maritime School in Gdynia, and in 1965 from the Maritime Faculty of the Sopot Higher Economic School, where he studied for a master’s degree in maritime transport economics. In 1969, at the same school, he achieved a doctorate in economic science before becoming a reader at the Higher Maritime School in 1970. On 3rd February 1977, the Council of State granted him the title of Assistant Professor of Technical Sciences. Since 11th January 1999, he has worked as a full professor at the Polish Naval Academy. Professor Duda is a qualified master mariner and has the navy military rank of lieutenant commander.

From 1950 to 1966, he worked for Polsteam in Szczecin and on the ships of the shipping company Polish Ocean Lines, reaching the rank of captain. Between 1966 and 1969, he held the role of harbour master at Gdynia port.

Rector of the Gdynia Higher Maritime School

In 1969, he became involved with the Higher Maritime School. He was the first captain of the Polish float with a doctor of economic science degree and became the first dean of the Faculty of Navigation of the newly formed higher education institution. Three years later, on 8th March, he became rector of the Gdynia Higher Maritime School.

During his 9 years in charge, the Antoni Garnuszewski - a cargo training ship operated by Polish Ocean Lines, and the sail-training ship the Dar Młodzieży - were built for the University, as well as a campus for more than 1,000 students and young researchers, sports halls, and a planetarium. Additionally, the central area of the main building was extended, the loft of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering building on the side of Morska and Grabowa streets was adapted and rooms and workshops were redeveloped as modern laboratories. Also built during this time were the first fire laboratory in maritime education, lecture theatres, garages, basketball and volleyball courts, and a parade ground for the Military College. Other achievements include the modernisation of the Horyzont and the Zenit ships, the general refurbishment of the so-called Professor’s House, and its adaptation for teaching purposes. The swimming pool of local football club Arka Gdynia was also acquired by the University. In a collaborative project with the Gdansk University of Technology, the Large Ship Handling Centre was built in Iława and funds were granted for the construction of the reduction model of the large ship known as the Warta.

To these achievements can be added the successes of his time as rector, including the construction of a watersports centre, the adaptation and renovation of the quay, preservation of the main building’s elevation, and the founding of a student sailing club. During his term in office, extramural and supplementary study programs were introduced for graduates of the State Maritime School. The Higher Maritime School was also granted the power to award master's degrees.

Nationwide Activity

Professor Daniel Duda has also directed work on the development of the North Port of the port of Świnoujście, contributed to the Central R&D Project, carried out research on notification, search and rescue, as well as an assessment of the current state of Polish rescue services in relation to international standards.

He has served as chair of the Polish Maritime Secondary Education Curriculum Committee, chair of the National Examination Committee for all officer and maritime ranks alongside the director of the Maritime Office in Gdynia, Leader of a team for the implementation of the STCW 78/95 convention, according to which he has also taught the basic professions in sea and inland waterway transport.

From 1990 to 1998, he held the post of director in the inspection division in the Maritime Office in Gdynia. In late 1989, Professor Daniel Duda began work at the Navigation and Hydrography Institute at the Polish Naval Academy, where for several years he fulfilled the role of head of the Shipping Safety Team and the Department of Ship Operations and was a member of the Senate, Faculty Council, as well as chair of the Senate Ethics Committee and more. As an employee of the Polish Naval Academy, he received a special award for his notable contribution to the popularisation of science in 2006 and the Academy’s Excellence in Teaching distinction in 2008. On 19th March 2015, the Academy granted him the title of Honorary Doctor.

Research and Publications

Professor Daniel Duda is the reviewer and author of opinions on 73 doctoral and post-doctoral dissertations, and the award of contract and full professor titles. He has written 562 publications, including 51 books (as author or co-author) and 219 opinions and reviews. He has also supervised 443 engineering, master’s and bachelor’s works. He is the co-author of three inventions and two patents - the “economic storm converter” and a modular watercraft, including the method of its construction. 

He has published and been on the editing team of Technika i Gospodarka Morska; Nautologia; Zapisy Puckie; Przegląd Hydrograficzny; and Biblioteka Nawigatora, written for the Admiralty Court’s Prawo i Orzecznictwo; Polish Ocena Lines’ Biuletyn Techniczny; the Polish Registry of Shipping’s Biuletyn Techniczny; Czas Morza; Budownicto Okrętowy i Gospodarka Morska; the scientific journals of maritime academies; Okólnik - published by the Union of Polish Merchant Navy Officers in London; and more. Professor Daniel Duda has been a member of the Polish Nautological Society since 1968, serving as president for four terms. He is also a member of the editing team of the publication Nautologia and the Polish Nautological Society’s (PTN) Scientific Council. He is also the vice-president and a founding member of the Friends of Dar Pomorza Society, and commander of the General Haller’s Ring Chapter of the Maritime and Colonial League, of which he is a board member.

Awards, Distinctions, and Merits

Professor Duda has won the widely-acclaimed Joseph Conrad literary award, and three “Gold Quill” [Złote Pióro] awards. He has been honoured nine times by the Minister for Transport and the Maritime Economy, awarded a Silver and a Gold Cross for Services to the Polish Scouts Association and the Commandry of the Sea Scouts Circle, an honorary distinction “for Services to Polish Culture”, a “Gloria Artis” Silver Medal “for Services to Culture”, an “Armed Forces in Service of the Homeland” medal, a gold medal “For Long Service” (awarded by Polish President Lech Kaczyński in 2008), a “Pro Patria” medal in 2013 and many other ministerial, regional, and industry decorations.

In 2013, on account of his contributions to the development of the maritime industry, and specific achievements in scientific research and teaching on marine-related subjects, he was awarded the Komandorski Cross with the Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta.

In 2020, for meritorious service to the University, the Senate initiated the procedure for the award of the honorary title of Dcotor honoris causa of Gdynia Maritime University to Professor Daniel Duda. By Resolution no 20/XVII of 28th January 2021, in recognition of his service in the development of the social life of the University, his contribution to the development of the maritime industry and the shaping of a professional ethos among the “people of the sea”, as well as his important input in the development of Gdynia Maritime University and its scientific personnel, the Senate of Gdynia Maritime University awarded Professor Daniel Duda the honorary title of Doctor honoris causa.   

The promoter was Professor Piotr Jędrzejowicz.
The reviewers were:

• Professor/Captain Stanisław Gucma - Szczecin Maritime Academy,
• Rear Admiral Professor Tomasz Szubrycht - Polish Naval Academy in Gdynia,
• Professor Zbigniew Łukasik - University of Technology and Humanities in Radom.

The ceremony of the conferral of the title of Honorary Doctor of Gdynia Maritime University took place on 19th March 2021.