The University as a Help for a Failing City: a Case Study of Grudziądz

Abstract

This text presents the social, economic and educational situations of Grudziądz, a city in north-central Poland with a population of 100.000. The city is exeptonal due to is turbulent history, which includes a spectacular economic boom and subsequent dramatic collapse. The situation of the town is described in a broad socio-pedagogical context. The authors present the thesis, that the cause of the unfortunate situation of Grudziądz is the absence of a higher educational institution. Relying on collected data from studies of the educational landscape of the region and on the statistical data from the Central Statistical Office, the authors show that the lack of a higher educational institution is a major cause of the decline of the city, and that having such an institution would be an essential part of its regeneration. The painstaking task of creating a higher educational institution in Grudziądz will gradually raise its prestige and trust worthiness within the community. A stronger academic center will give young people a reason to remain in the city, thurs improwing its social and economic indicators.