Within 10 months, Olivia Business Centre has implemented four cooperation projects with Gdańsk universities. Their diversified form is to ensure the exchange of experience between business and the world of science.
The building of the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Gdańsk is located in the vicinity of Olivia Business Centre, on the campus of the university. Opened in 2000, it was the most modern facility built on the site. After 21 years, however, the time for its modernization is approaching. The university authorities want it to meet the high standards of modern public buildings.
Importantly, the twenty years of operation of this space have highlighted the expectations of the academic community towards the so-called common areas. And it is these experiences that will be the main driver of change at the faculty.
In recent days, Olivia has been visited by the Dean of the Faculty of Law and Administration, Dr. Wojciech Zalewski, prof. UG and Vice-Deans: dr hab. Małgorzata Balwicka-Szczyrba, prof. UG and dr hab. Marcin Wiszowaty, prof. UG. They looked to Olivia for inspiration, trying to learn about the top architectural solutions. They also outlined the challenges that the university poses to architects.
We believe that thanks to the cooperation between the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Gdańsk and Olivia Business Centre, our students, employees and guests will be able to experience the numerous advantages of modern arrangements of the common spaces of the faculty, so that after the pandemic they can be used for integration, work, relaxation and meetings – says Prof. Ph.D. Marcin Wiszowaty.
The Faculty of Law wants to develop cooperation with business, because most of its graduates find their jobs here. Such cooperation will broaden the capabilities of the faculty and increase the attractiveness of the course in the eyes of students. – says Maciej Kotarski from Olivia Business Centre. Olivia is the largest concentration of business in the Tri-City. It is located closest to the faculty building and is very well visible from this building. Including. that’s why the deans of the faculty offered Olivia cooperation in the revitalization and development of the concept of common spaces. I hope that in the future, in the part of the faculty with a view of the Olivia Business Centre, a business zone for students will be created, run under the patronage of Olivia – adds Maciej Kotarski.
Over 100,000m2 of office space and common areas of the business centre, which were designed by the Design Anatomy studio associated with Olivia, provide extensive knowledge and experience, thanks to which the renovated interiors of the university will be able to meet the highest standards of modern buildings. – In our opinion, the publicly accessible parts of the Faculty have an extraordinary and at the same time untapped potential. – says Justyna Biłat, architect at Design Anatomy. We want to create zones for various purposes, where you will be able to calm down, meet in a group of students, talk to colleagues, have lunch, relax with coffee, organize brainstorming or discussion after the conference. Our team of architects puts people and their needs first, and the main idea of our projects is the general well-being of the recipients. The space of the faculty is rich in natural greenery, and plants have a positive effect on the microclimate of the interior, increase the comfort of use, contribute to the reduction of stress and increase satisfaction with work, including scientific work. – emphasizes Justyna Biłat.
Cooperation in the field of knowledge exchange, practice and competence development is also assumed by a letter of intent signed with the Faculty of Philology of the University of Gdańsk. It assumes joint consultations of study programmes, as well as the participation of Olivia’s representatives in the Programme Councils of the Institutes of the Faculty of Philology, in order to adapt the curriculum to the expectations of the modern labour market as much as possible. What’s more, Olivia’s employees will also have the opportunity to conduct classes and workshops for students of Philology, and students will be able to do internships among companies residing in the business center. The cooperation will also include the recruitment of students to work in the largest business center in the country. Students will also have an insight into the specifics of Olivia’s activities in connection with their scientific research as part of their diploma theses at all levels of education.
Cooperation between business and academia must start as early as possible. The inclusion of students and academics in the processes of global corporations is possible thanks to such cooperation as with the University of Gdańsk. – says the attorney. Bogusław Wieczorek, Plenipotentiary of the Management Board of Olivia for public relations, and at the same time a member of the Council of the National Centre for Research and Development. Both those who study the letter of the law and those who work on researching and learning about different cultures and languages will soon be able to put their knowledge into practice. I hope that in the long run, this will also mean the establishment of new economic relations with foreign countries and the possibility of using the best international models in Polish business. – adds Bogusław Wieczorek.
For nearly two years, the Physical Culture Association of the University of Gdańsk has also been operating, which aims to develop physical activity among young people, and which was established by the University and Olivia Business Centre. Especially in the era of the pandemic, experts point out that all forms of physical activity have a significant impact on improving physical and mental condition. Therefore, it is worth taking actions that promote a healthy lifestyle.
The University of Gdańsk is not the only university with which Olivia Business Centre has close relations. In the spring of 2020, Olivia financed the MediMod diagnostic module, built by Vivia Next, which was then donated to the Medical University of Gdańsk. The first Covid19 diagnostic centre for non-motorised people in Poland was established in the facility; walk-through. MediMod is a self-sufficient, mobile research unit. Its design allows for the provision of several zones and a sluice for collecting material inside, limiting the contact between the swab taker and the patient to the necessary minimum, ensuring the safety of the medical staff and the patient.
Olivia is also a member of the Economic Convention at the Rector of the Gdańsk University of Technology. It is a unique platform for consultations and expressing opinions and positions between the scientific and economic communities on all matters affecting the economic development of the country and the region. The Convention is composed of representatives of leading enterprises representing various fields of economy, economic organizations and business environment institutions, invited by the Rector of Gdańsk Tech. It should be emphasized that Gdańsk University of Technology was ranked highest among Polish technical universities in the “Excellence Initiative – Research University” competition, which provided additional funds in the amount of approx. PLN 200 million. The funds will be allocated to the further dynamic development of the university, including activities within the newly created Research Centres.
Such diverse fields of cooperation between Olivia Business Centre and the most important Tri-City universities, which are national leaders in their fields, allow to create opportunities for students, academics and entrepreneurs that would not be possible in other situations. Each form of cooperation opens up new paths of development for each of the parties involved.
