Professor Czesław Szmidt, a long-standing lecturer and scholar at Kozminski University, was honoured with the prestigious “Human Resource Management Mentor” distinction and medal during the 13th Congress of Chairs of Human Resource Management, held in Zakopane on 28–30 September 2025.
A recognition for an authority in human resource management
The award is presented to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of human resource management theory and practice. The Jury recognized Professor Szmidt for his decades-long impact on the development of Polish management thought, his research on human capital and leadership, and his invaluable mentoring and teaching role in shaping new generations of leaders.
For more than five decades, Professor Szmidt has combined scholarly and teaching activity with managerial practice. At Kozminski University, he headed the Department of Human Resource Management and the Doctoral Studies Programme, served as Vice-Rector for Education, and his doctoral seminars and MBA classes have earned high acclaim from students and alumni.
His research focuses on human capital management, ethical leadership, HR policy, and career development. Professor Szmidt is the author or co-author of more than 100 publications, the supervisor of 16 doctoral theses, and a mentor to hundreds of postgraduate and MBA graduates.
This award is not only a tribute to Professor Szmidt’s remarkable achievements but also a confirmation of Kozminski University’s strong position in the field of management and human resources research — an institution where academic knowledge meets business practice.
