Wrocław University of Economics (hereinafter: WUE or University), which will celebrate its 70th anniversary as a Polish institute of higher learning in early 2017, has a very strong regional brand image and is ranked first among regional Polish economic universities by different rankings. WUE’s major strategic priority is to further enhance its international reputation and reach.
Concerning knowledge creation, WUE has a very strong research culture and relatively high level of research productivity with a growing reputation for publishing scientific research papers in foreign journals. Students are actively engaged, along with faculty, in the University’s research programs. One of the main WUE’s distinctive features are Student Science Clubs. WUE’s students are involved in research conducted within faculty departments through 45 Student Science Clubs, which attract about 500 club members. The PRT members met with several student representatives from these Science Clubs and were very impressed with the energy, vitality, and organizational skills demonstrated by these students during interviews.
Regarding knowledge transfer, WUE provides high quality education in the context of the academic disciplines that it focuses on. WUE emphasizes a holistic approach to meeting the needs of its students and enriching their overall university experience. Its graduates are held in high esteem by local, regional, and transnational employers. Across four faculty departments, WUE offers 19 full-time and 13 part-time programs for undergraduate studies and 16 full-time and 17 part-time graduate programs. All programs are all fully accredited by the Polish authorities. WUE has achieved EFMD EPAS accreditation for several of its undergraduate and master study finance programs. It is also authorized to run an Executive MBA programs in English which is organized in conjunction with universities from Belgium, France, Ireland, Germany, and Great Britain. The University currently delivers more than 18 % of its undergraduate and graduate study programs (12 offers) in English language format, including the Executive MBA program offer. The University has signed double diploma agreements with the University of Vilnius and with Ternopil National Economic University. WUE’s students also have a broad range of possibilities for studying abroad. The University is active in promoting cross-border student exchanges through 125 Erasmus+ bilateral agreements and about 60 general co-operation agreements with other foreign partners. The employers of WUE graduates interviewed by the PRT were enthusiastic about the value of the Erasmus programs.
From left to right: Dr. Alenka Braček Lalić, CEEMAN, Slovenia, Dr. Jim Ellert, IMD Lausanne, Switzerland, Dr. Drikus Kriek, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa and IEDC, Bled School of Management, Slovenia, Vice-Rector for International Co-operation Prof. Dr. Hab. Bogusława Drelich-Skulska, Wrocław University of Economics, Poland
With regards to responsible practices, WUE participates in the Economic University Children initiative (EUD) and the Young Economist Academy (AME). The EUD initiative is designed for learners of 5th and 6th grades (primary education) while the AME is designed for students of secondary level education. Both programs are designed to introduce younger learners, in an entertaining (fun) way to basic economic principles. The University also has an “outreach” program for students in more advanced stages of their life. This program was introduced in 2008 and now attracts about 230 students per year. The elderly participants attend lectures with emphasis on computer literacy and foreign languages, participate in supervised physical educational activities, and can participate in memory training and fine art workshops and other activities organized in 17 thematic groups. The University is active in several local charitable initiatives, including involvement in the activities of a local orphanage. The University has developed internal practices that show its commitment to environmental protection and their role as a local practitioner of best practices in environmental program initiatives.
Based on these findings, CEEMAN Accreditation Committee on 8 March 2017 awarded Wrocław University of Economics International Quality Accreditation.
“Wrocław University of Economics has a great honor to be a part of the CEEMAN family. CEEMAN IQA Accreditation is a distinction and motivation to improve the curricula and research activities of our University. This acknowledgement of excellence is a confirmation of our mission to be the leading center of creative thought and economic education in our region of Europe. We deeply appreciate the positive feedback that we have received from CEEMAN IQA Peer Review Team and CEEMAN IQA Accreditation Committee. We believe that the future cooperation will be an extraordinary opportunity for further development through setting and achieving new goals”.
Rector Prof. Dr. Hab. Andrzej Kaleta