The second edition of the program "Visiting Professors of the University of Gdańsk" enticed a great interest among scientists from the University of Gdańsk, carrying out their research and teaching activities in cooperation with foreign researchers. Overall, 31 applications from 10 faculties and one research agenda were submitted, for a total amount of PLN 554,400 (approx. EUR 120,000).

The Committee for Verification of Applications assessed the submitted applications in terms of the reputation of the invited scientist, the prestige of his home research centre, strengthening the existing international cooperation between the centres, interdisciplinarity of research topics, impact on the quality of education, measurable scientific effects of the visit relevant to the development of the scientific discipline at the University of Gdańsk.

The following is the list of laureates:

• Danielle R. Reed from Monell Chemical Senses Center (USA), invited by Dr. Emilia Leszkowicz from the Faculty of Biology,
• Paul Allain will be hosted by dr hab. Tomasz Wiśniewski, prof. UG from the Faculty of Philology,
• Claire M. Belcher from the University of Exeter (Great Britain) invited by Dr. Alicja Bonk from the Faculty of Oceanography and Geography,
• David Saliba from the University of Malta (Malta) will conduct research at the International Center for Research on Cancer Vaccines (ICCVS) under the supervision of Dr. Małgorzata Lisowska,
• Thomas Aiello from Valdosta State University (USA) will carry out his stay at the Faculty of History, under the supervision of dr hab. Anna Mazurkiewicz, prof. UG,
• Tony John George Apollaro from the University of Malta (Malta) will carry out research at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science, under the supervision of prof. dr hab. Marcin Wieśniak, prof. UG,
• Marco Fondi from the University of Florence (Italy) will spend his stay at the Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Gdańsk and the MUG , under the supervision of prof. Ewa Łojkowska,
• Dany Azar from Lebanese University (Lebanon), will be hosted by dr hab. Jacek Szwedo, prof. UG from the Faculty of Biology,
• Wonpil Im from Lehigh University (USA) invited by prof. dr hab. Józef Adam Liwo from the Faculty of Chemistry.

The winners will conduct a total of 163 teaching hours, in the form of classes for students within the subjects covered by the study programs, open lectures, seminars and meetings with students and employees of the University of Gdańsk. This will significantly contribute to the internationalisation of education. Information about the open lectures will be available on Facebook and the University website.

Research planned by foreign guests will be conducted in the field of humanities and the field of exact and natural sciences. There are, among others, laboratory, analytical, survey and field research leading to the development and expansion of innovative analytical and laboratory systems, as well as the development and optimization of research methods. The cooperation of scientists from the University of Gdańsk with highly qualified international staff from renowned foreign scientific institutions and the creation of international research groups will contribute to the international transfer of knowledge and strengthening the scientific potential of the university.

As a result of the conducted research, among others, new publications in renowned international journals and jointly submitted research projects.

Congratulations to all the winners.