Forum Hosts

Bridging cultures, promoting diversity: higher education in search of an equilibrium
EAIR 33rd Annual Forum 2011, Warsaw, Poland, 28-31 August 2011
Organised under honorary auspices of the Minister of Science and Higher Education

Warsaw School of Economics

The history of the Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) begins in 1906 with the foundation of the Private Courses of Commerce for Men.

In the XX century the School underwent numerous changes in its structure and teaching programme. It changed its name a few times, too. The School’s present name (Szkola Glówna Handlowa, literally meaning Main School of Commerce) emerged for the first time in 1933. The outbreak of World War II did not stop the School’s activity, which, under conspiracy, continued with its pre-war programme.

After World War II, under the pressure of the new political system the School Senate approved its nationalisation, trying, however, to maintain the independent teaching programme. In 1949 Polish authorities changed the name into Central School of Planning and Statistics and announced it the first socialist university in Poland, with centrally established programme and organisational principles.

It was not until the political change in 1989 that the School was in a position to officially carry out new programme and organisational reforms in order to comply with market economy requirements. The milestone of this process was the return to the traditional name of the School – Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) in 1991 and a reform of the education system, so that all our students can now pursue individual courses of study.

In 2006 we introduced the new Statute, which declares that our educational system is based on the Bologna Declaration.

Among the famous pre-war alumni was Stefan Starzynski, an economist and politician, a mayor of Warsaw from 1934 till World War II. One of the most renowned SGH graduates is Professor Leszek Balcerowicz – Deputy Prime Minister in the first non-communist government and the president of the National Bank of Poland.

The Warsaw School of Economics is the oldest university of economics and management in Poland. As it seeks to impart a European dimension to its academic activity, SGH combines an over century-long tradition with engagement in the contemporary world and the pursuit of future challenges. In its educational endeavours, the School seeks to provide students with the latest knowledge, solid working skills and a sense of responsibility to society. In its research activities, the School is guided by respect for the truth and usefulness to society. The School conducts both its educational and research activities in the field of economics and managerial sciences drawing on the achievements of other social sciences. Graduates of SGH, equipped with the latest general and specialized knowledge, are making a significant contribution to economic, social and political life in Poland and abroad. Together with academic and administrative staff, students and representatives of milieus connected with the School, they create the image of SGH, promoting its achievements and realizing its mission together.

Along with teaching, research constitutes one of the pillars of the activities of the Warsaw School of Economics. It is concentrated in five collegia:

• Collegium of Economic Analyses,
• Collegium of Socio-Economics,
• Collegium of World Economy,
• Collegium of Business Administration,
• Collegium of Management and Finance.

Research is also conducted in other departments such as the Centre for the Development of Economic Studies (ORSE) or the IT Department (CI).

Research activities take various forms, known as statutory research, individual research, external grants and commissioned expertises. Research is often carried out as part of international projects. In 2009, 105 topics were researched as statutory research. Individual research, undertaken mostly by junior faculty, covered 152 topics. Furthermore, 34 research projects were carried out within grant schemes.

Each year, our research results in over 1,5 thousand published books, monographs, scripts, course books, articles and research papers. Every year, the SGH publishes a bilingual, Polish & English report on the competitiveness of the country’s economy.

Aiming at the development of links between research and the economy, our University publishes around 150 expertises per year. They are most frequently commissioned by companies, the government, the parliament and central offices, the President’s office, municipal and regional authorities, foundations, units of the Polish Academy of Science (PAN) as well as by international organisations.

The Warsaw School of Economics is a venue of numerous conferences, of both Polish and international reach.

For more information: Warsaw School of Economics

EAIR

EAIR - The European Higher Education Society became an independent membership organisation in 1989. Over the years it has expanded considerably and currently has nearly 450 members from 50 different countries all over the world including Africa, South America, Asia and Australasia.

EAIR is a unique association for professionals in the area of higher education management and for academics researching that area. These professionals and academics are working in universities, polytechnics and other higher education institutions, primarily but not exclusively in Europe, both in university administration and in academic departments with particular research interests in management issues.

EAIR is also of relevance to policy makers in government ministries and policy units. EAIR holds its annual forum in August or September and organises seminars on specific topics that are of current interest. EAIR publishes a journal Tertiary Education and Management (TEAM) and a Monograph Series Research, Policy and Practice in Higher Education. The EAIR Secretariat is located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

For more information: EAIR