Due to its turbulent past and long transformation period, Poland has not been an obvious educational destination, however that is changing. Recently this big central European country has been making significant progress attracting not only a huge investment but also in shaping trends in the expanding business education sector.

1. Education Opportunities in Poland -
The European
Due to its turbulent past and long transformation period, Poland has not
been an obvious educational destination, however that is changing.
Recently this big central European country has been making significant
progress attracting not only a huge investment but also in shaping trends in
the expanding business education sector.

2. The European tiger
Today, after many years of consistent growth, the Polish economy remains
stable, offering a favourable climate for foreign investors. The country
figures among the most attractive in Europe in terms of FDI. This
exceptional inflow to various regions contributed to the relatively equal
distribution of wealth and the availability of jobs, for example in April 2017
the unemployment rate stood at 7.7%.
Also, the quality of life is rising fast – in the last ‘SEDA Index’ released in
2016, Poland was ranked 30th out of 164 countries surveyed by Boston
Consulting Group. With such impressive indicators, the brand value of the
nation has improved strongly, reaching 18th position worldwide according

3. to Brand Finance 2016. Such results stem from the foundations that Poland
has put in place over the last two decades. One of the most dynamic
regions in Poland is Tri-city, located in the north of Poland, constituting the
largest urban area.
Growing role of Tri-city
This metropolitan area in northern Poland consists of three bordering cities,
Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia and is situated on the picturesque coast of
Gdansk Bay on the Baltic Sea.
In the heart of Gdansk is located the biggest business centre and, the
oldest university in northern Poland – Gdansk University of Technology
(GUT). This convergence has had a huge impact in making education it a
cornerstone for businesses located in the region. What attracts them to
Gdansk? The main draw is the favourable economic conditions and a solid
educational background that complements and interacts proficiently with
business.

4. Dr Barbara Stepnowska
Moreover, cultural wealth and a well-developed infrastructure make the
metropolis increasingly attractive for tourists and entrepreneurs from all
over the world. Gdansk reached the top three of the ‘Best European
Destinations’ by European Best Destinations in 2017 and in 2016 was
placed first for citizen-friendliness, high standards of living and openness to
business.
The European spoke to the creator of the educational offer for the
international environment – Dr Magdalena Popowska, Dean’s Proxy for
International Affairs at the Faculty of Management and Economics, GUT,
and Dr Barbara Stepnowska – Director of the Master of Business
Administration Programme at the Faculty of Management and Economics
GUT.

5. What is the role of Polish Universities in the
surrounding environment?
Dr Barbara Stepnowska​: ​The Polish economy is becoming more and
more innovative each year. In global ranking we have risen seven places
since 2015. But innovation is not just in technological development, it also
relies on universities and executive programmes. The role of the university
is to create and provide knowledge and develop a culture of innovation.
Global business programmes continue to grow and the recruitment of
business students continues to intensify. Today, the trend in business is
education. Business leaders will need qualified and entrepreneurial teams.
How is it implemented in reality?
BS​: A prerequisite for sustained business growth is well-qualified and
innovative teams. The MBA programme offers businesses a unique
opportunity for experienced members of staff. Our MBA studies invite
experts from Poland and internationally, representing different companies
and industries. Participants are up-to-date with the latest market conditions
and trends and, encourage innovative thinking.
Dr Magdalena Popowska (MP): Also, our Master’s programmes are
continuously refined and adapted to the needs of the changing business
environment. Due to the growing role of business in Gdansk, we have
internationalised our studies. Currently, besides the MBA programme, we
offer three Master’s programmes in English: International Management,
Small Business Economics and Management and Economic Analytics.

6. There is a wide choice for both potential entrepreneurs and skilled
managers in corporations.
Dr Magdalena Popowska
What are the key requirements to make companies innovative and
thereafter, the whole economy?
BS: ​There is no economic innovation without educational innovations. This
focuses on teaching methods, but also lecturer’s cooperation, shared
responsibility for programme quality, its content and cohesion. We teach
students in collaboration and deeper engagement in the programme. That
makes the process of education more attractive and practical.
How do you attract MBA and Master’s degree students?

7. Dr Magdalena Popowska: ​We attract them with the large choice of study
programmes available, and the opportunity to study in Polish and English.
Our goal is to provide students with a strong inter-cultural background
through the ‘at home’ and ‘abroad’ internationalisation process. Students
benefit not only from formal learning outcomes but also inter-cultural ones –
we see their ability to work effectively in multi-cultural teams as being of
crucial value to their career development. Also, the quality of life in our
region particularly, the Tri-city area is hugely attractive to students.
BS: ​Our students are introduced to a talent diagnosis in the early stages of
enrolment on the MBA programme. This also helps to develop and promote
their entrepreneurial skills. Today’s managers need proficiency in a wide
range of soft skills including, the art of negotiation, effective and
inspirational communication as well as coaching or mentoring. Our world is
undergoing a continuous and fast paced rate of change. As a result,
understanding the behavioural aspects of change is an essential feature of
the effective leader today.

8. What are the advantages for a company sending its
employee to MBA studies?
BS: ​There are many. The main objectives of the programme are to
promote strategic thinking as a prerequisite, the development of leadership
skills, and the advancement of entrepreneurial competencies. This powerful
mix of attributes makes our graduates invaluable to employers. Employees
who became MBA students master their strategic mind-set by acquiring
effective strategic foundations for sound business decisions. From the start,
our focus is to ensure that our students can integrate the knowledge gained
in the classroom and its immediate application into the decision-making
process; thereby also enhancing their development of entrepreneurial
skills. Students transition from a mind-set of simply gaining knowledge, to
generating experience and value from application of that knowledge. That
is certainly valuable for the labour market. Furthermore, the complexity of
today’s business environment reveals the significance of human impact on
organisational changes, and displays the need for talent management and
personal development in the strategic realm. Our MBA is accredited
internationally by AMBA, positioning us in the top five of Polish MBA
programmes.
What is the future of MBA?
BS: ​Quoting Woody Allen “If you want to make God laugh, tell him about
your plans”. The same goes with Nobel Prize-winning atomic scientist Niels
Bohr: “Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future”. How it
works you may check in Gdansk, Poland. Take a peek into your future.
Further information

9. www.zie.pg.edu.pl/mba
www.zie.pg.edu.pl/en
Original Source :
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