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| Warsaw School of Economics
(SGH) Rector professor Adam Budnikowski |
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The Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) has consistently strengthened its position among Europe’s business schools, and has closed the gap with the region’s much older and more prestigious institutions, including the London School of Economics and HEC School of Management in Paris.
In the past three years, the school climbed from No. 35 to No. 24 in the Financial Times global ranking of the Top 50 Masters in Management Programs, a clear indication of the successful efforts began more than 10 years ago to become a more international and competitive center of learning.
"By the early 1990s, we wanted to increase our international presence, so we partnered with 200 universities all around the world. We not only want the best partners, but we want to be the best partner for them as well," recalls School Rector professor Adam Budnikowski.
Boasting alumni composed of several prestigious business leaders from Poland and elsewhere, the school slowly but steadily earned its prestige since its founding in 1906, when the country was still a part of Russia.
"To learn commerce or economics at that time was not easy. We owe this to the few men who were educated in business elsewhere and decided to bring it into the country. We were lucky in our first year to have 30 students," Budnikowski says.
The Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) belongs to the Community of European Management Schools and Companies (CEMS).
"We are the only university in Poland to be a member of the CEMS. This allows our students to take classes in other universities abroad and participate in internships with international companies. It is our priority to give our students the opportunity to participate in the best schools and work with leading companies," stresses Budnikowski.
"We have collaborations with schools in Japan, such as Ryukoku University, Ritsumeikan University and Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University on joint research and student exchange programs," he adds.
Since 1998, the school has also run the Polish-Japanese Center for Managerial Education, funded by a grant from the Japanese and Polish governments.
"This center acts as a midpoint because it organizes seminars for young managers in the region, such as Lithuania, Slovakia, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Estonia," says spokesman Tomasz Rusek.
Following Poland’s admission into the European Union, the school has undergone many changes in line with its future plans.
"We’re increasing our exchange programs because we know that countries in Central and Eastern Europe are gaining a bigger presence in the world economy. Many students from outside the region study here because they want to know specific business conditions in Central and Eastern Europe. So if you want to really know more about CEE, then you have to come here and learn it," says Budnikowski.
www.sgh.waw.pl
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