Faculty of Economics at the University of Gdańsk hosts CATALISI project events
On April 10–11, 2025, the Faculty of Economics at the University of Gdańsk hosted two major events as part of the CATALISI project, implemented under the Horizon Europe programme. The project supports higher education institutions in designing and implementing institutional transformation strategies across 14 intervention areas, with a particular focus on societal engagement and responsiveness to external needs.
April 10 – Twinning Exchange: University for Society
The first day was dedicated to practices in open science and initiatives promoting societal engagement. Participants were introduced to various outreach activities conducted by the Faculty of Economics for a wide range of audiences, including children, youth, seniors, NGOs, businesses, and local authorities. They also toured the faculty’s facilities that support its daily operations.
Following the faculty visit, participants continued their exchange at several university sites, including the University of Gdańsk Library, the Amber Mini-Museum, and the MORS Radio studio located on the main campus.
April 11 – Mobilisation and Mutual Learning (MML): Societal Engagement in Higher Education
The second day, held at the Faculty of Economics in Sopot, took the form of an interactive workshop. The aim of the event was to strengthen societal engagement in higher education by fostering collaboration between universities and external stakeholders. It also sought to support knowledge transfer, drive institutional transformation, and establish sustainable models of cooperation. Special attention was given to engaging diverse stakeholder groups such as secondary schools, businesses, NGOs, and public institutions. Participants explored practical strategies for sustaining long-term partnerships and highlighted the mutual benefits of such collaborations.
The programme featured best practice presentations from the University of Gdańsk, with Vice-Dean Dr Magdalena Markiewicz showcasing initiatives led by the Faculty of Economics that also contribute to university-wide engagement efforts. A key highlight was the on-site experience of the Logistics and Forwarding Olympiad. Participants observed several Olympiad sessions and accompanying workshops, providing direct insight into how external engagement can be effectively implemented at scale.
A dedicated session addressed the role of business partners in advancing societal engagement. It focused on jointly identifying barriers to the implementation of the so-called third mission and developing supportive solutions. This session featured a presentation by Professor Dariusz Tłoczyński alongside invited business representatives. Discussions centred on how higher education institutions can establish and maintain partnerships with the private sector, and how businesses see their role in supporting academia—beyond funding—through co-developing curricula and contributing to skill-building initiatives.
The event concluded with the development of a preliminary list of institutional challenges and actionable solutions, forming a foundation for ongoing collaboration among CATALISI partners and other universities.
Both events served as valuable platforms for sharing experiences, presenting UG’s initiatives, and strengthening cooperation with external stakeholders. They also provided an opportunity to reflect on the role of universities in addressing contemporary social challenges and shaping responsible science.
More about the CATALISI project: https://catalisi.eu
