On 22 October 2024, the inaugural ceremonial meeting of the Faculty Council at the Faculty of Architecture, Gdańsk University of Technology, Poland (FA-Gdańsk Tech), was held, officially marking the beginning of the 2024-2025 academic year.

The inaugural address was delivered by the new Dean of the FA-Gdańsk Tech, Professor Jakub Szczepański, who highlighted the Faculty’s achievements and shared its bold vision for the future. The ceremony was graced by the presence of the Vice-Rector for Partnerships, Professor Józef Sienkiewicz.

This year, 233 students commenced their studies in the first-degree programme. Seventy-six of them have enrolled in Poland’s top-ranked Spatial Development programme, while the remaining students have begun their journey in architecture, including 27 in the English-language track.

Before the oath of newly admitted students, awards were presented to academic staff, students and graduates of the Department of Architecture in recognition of their achievements.

The FA-Gdańsk Tech received an A+ grade - the highest possible - in the academic discipline of Architecture and Urban Planning for its activities during the years 2017-2021. The assessment considered publications, research projects and studies conducted by the Faculty’s members, as well as the impact of their scientific research on the economy and society. This solidifies the position of the FA-Gdańsk Tech as the leading academic centre in Poland in the fields of Architecture and Urban Planning.

The ceremony culminated with a speech by a representative of the Faculty Council and an inaugural lecture by Dr Eng. Arch. Piotr Samól, dedicated to the history of one of Gdańsk’s most famous paintings, The Last Judgment by Hans Memling.

The inauguration was followed by the opening of an exhibition featuring the work of one of Gdańsk’s prominent architects, the former Dean of the Faculty of Architecture: Leopold Taraszkiewicz: Architectural Creation.

As part of this important academic occasion, and to honour the life and academic achievements of the late Professor Leopold Taraszkiewicz (1925-2014), members of this famous family of architects, Professor Antoni Taraszkiewicz - son, and Karolina Taraszkiewicz - granddaughter, both well-known architects took on a mammoth task of organising an exhibition to commemorate the 10th anniversary of his passing on 12 October 2014.

Professor L. Taraszkiewicz was born on 11 November 1925 in Szumsk near Wilno (now Vilnius). During WW2, he was a member of the Polish Underground Army - AK (Armia Krajowa), during which time was captured by the Soviets, and deported to a labour camp in Siberia. Having survived this ordeal, he returned to Poland in 1945, and settled down in Sopot near Gdańsk. His interests and passion were in architecture, which he studied at Gdańsk Polytechnic (now Gdańsk Tech).

After his studies he remained in academia, and dedicated his entire professional life to it working there until his death. Concurrently, he worked as a professional architect specialising in sacral architecture. He designed over 50 churches in Poland, over 40 of which were built. Professor Taraszkiewicz received numerous awards and honours, including the famous Benemerenti gold cross bestowed upon him by the Pope St. Paul VI in 1977 for his service to the Catholic Church. The roots of this great patriotic family go back to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, whose members gave work, blood and life to these nations, and to Poland, in particular.

The exhibition of Professor Taraszkiewicz’s works is located in the Grand Hall of the Main Building of Gdańsk Tech, and includes 32 boards measuring 100 x 70 cm mounted on elegant stands. Over 200 guest attended the launch of this exhibition including the University officials. In addition to this exhibition, a commemorative album was also published by the organisers and presented to the audience free of charge, and many copies were given away in no time.