Born on 16th November 1947 in Rumia. In 1972, graduated from the Mechanical Engineering Faculty at Gdańsk University of Technology. In 1974, obtained a doctoral degree, in 1983 - degree of doctor habilitated, and in 1991 - title of professor. 1976-1977 - scientific scholarship in Great Britain. Was a guest lecturer in the United States, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, France and Switzerland. Has worked at Gdańsk University of Technology since 1972. 1984-1990 - Deputy Dean and then Dean of the Machine-building Faculty; 1990-1996 - Rector of Gdańsk University of Technology. Was Chairman of the Council of Rectors of Pomorze Nadwiślańskie Region (1990-1996) and of the Conference of Rectors of Polish Higher Technical Educational Institutions (1994-1996). 1996-1999 - Deputy Chairman of Rada Główna Szkolnictwa Wyższego (Main Higher-Education Council). Served as Minister of National Education from July 2000 to October 2001. His scientific achievements cover more than 200 publications and 22 monographs, as well as 110 expert opinions and studies commissioned by the private sector. Recipient of the "Jan Heweliusz" Scientific Award of the City of Gdańsk. Member of Gdańsk Scientific Society, Polish Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanical Engineering, several scientific committees of the Polish Academy of Sciences, as well as many other domestic and foreign scientific societies. Since 2007 - chairman of the Interdisciplinary Team on Strategic Research and Development Programs. Co-founder of the Polish Higher Education-Business Forum. Is active in Kaszubsko-Pomorskie Regional Association and Kaszuby Institute. Member of the Solidarity Trade Union. In the Fourth Term Senate, was the chairman of the Science and National Education Committee (2000) and a member of the Foreign Affairs and European Integration Committee. As a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, initiated and reported on Assembly resolutions concerning the situation of young scholars. Chaired the delegation of the Sejm and the Senate of the Republic of Poland to the Parliamentary Conference of the Baltic Sea States. In the Fifth Term Senate, was the deputy chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee and member of the Science, Education and Sport Committee. Represented the Senate in the European Convention (2002-2003), and then served as observer and member of the European Parliament (2003-2004). Among other things, initiated the legislative proposal on the establishment of the National Council on Bioethics. In the Sixth Term Senate was chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee and chaired the Polish Parliamentary Delegation to the Conference of Community and European Affairs Committees of Parliaments of the European Union (COSAC). Member of the Civic Platform Party of Poland. Married, has two children. |
