The cooperation between the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the Gdańsk University of Technology and Olivia Centre – the largest business centre in Poland – strengthens the practical dimension of education and supports the development of modern competences in the real estate market. This is an important step for Gdańsk and the entire region, which gain new space to build highly qualified staff for one of the key branches of the economy.
The Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the Gdańsk University of Technology has signed a cooperation agreement with Olivia Centre, one of the leaders of the commercial real estate market in Poland. The partnership is part of the consistently developed cooperation of the Faculty with the economic environment, especially in the area of the modern real estate market, investments and space management.
One of the most important effects of this cooperation was the support of Olivia Centre in the creation of the “Real Estate 5.0” study program – the only field of study of this type in Poland, responding to the changing needs of the market and the growing importance of competences combining technical, investment, analytical and management knowledge. Importantly, the first recruitment was already very popular, which confirms that the launch of the course was an accurate response to the needs of candidates. It is also an important and necessary addition to the scientific and training offer of the Gdańsk University of Technology. The partnership concerns not only the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, but also other faculties, mi.in Geodesy and Cartography and Civil Engineering.
The signed agreement gives students a chance to learn even more related to the realities of the commercial real estate market – says Emilia Miszewska , PhD, Eng., from the Department of Geology at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Thanks to cooperation with Olivia Centre, an important industry partner, students can better prepare for their future professional work, develop practical competencies and gain knowledge based on real market experience. Students can expect better adaptation of education to the current needs of the labor market and closer contact with the modern business environment created by Olivia Centre. They can also count on greater opportunities for professional development, building industry contacts and an easier start on the labor market. Our cooperation will enable students to participate in classes co-created by industry experts and to undertake internships and internships. It also gives access to joint projects, events and initiatives related to the modern real estate market, investments and business space management.
On the part of the Faculty, the agreement was signed by the Dean of the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, prof. Ph.D. Eng. Ewa Wojciechowska. On behalf of Olivia Centre, the document was signed by Bogusław Wieczorek, legal counsel and public relations representative of the management board of Olivia Centre.
Cooperation also has a broader social and economic dimension. For Gdańsk, it means strengthening the city’s position as one of the most important academic and business centers in Poland, which can effectively combine science with business practice. For Pomerania, it is an investment in the development of local staff and competencies needed on the regional real estate, construction and investment market. For the academic community, it is access to up-to-date industry knowledge, practical experience and new opportunities for students’ professional development. For the business community – a chance to get in closer contact with young talents, co-create modern educational programs and have a real impact on the preparation of future specialists.
As Bogusław Wieczorek, legal counsel and representative of the management board for public relations at Olivia Centre, emphasizes: For Olivia, cooperation with the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering is, on the one hand, an element of our policy of social responsibility and commitment to the development of the competences of Pomeranian staff, and on the other hand, an extremely interesting opportunity to expand cooperation with one of the most prestigious technical universities in Poland. We are open to various forms of cooperation, as part of internships and workshops, as well as education of students of the Faculty.
In connection with the signing of the agreement, we are starting a partnership that is to really connect the academic world with the practice of the real estate market ,” says Konrad Danecki, Director of Investor Supervision at Olivia Centre. As a person responsible for quality improvement activities and implementation of modern systems in Olivia, I see it as an opportunity to develop the competencies of future specialists based on real projects, operational data and experience in property management and modernization. I am particularly pleased with the opportunity to support the new “Real Estate 5.0” study program, which responds to the dynamic changes in the industry – digitization, decarbonization, ESG requirements and the growing expectations of building users. We want students to learn from concrete cases: from the concept phase and investment process, through environmental certifications, to operation, capex and financing – i.e. throughout the life cycle of real estate. I hope that together we will create a platform for pilots and implementations that will be of value both to the university and to business and the entire region.
