Poland has one of the best MBA studies in the world.
The 44th place in the world and the first in the region is occupied by Kozminski University's Executive MBA studies. This is so far the biggest international success of Polish universities educating managers. Kozminski was ranked in the top league, alongside such well-known universities as New York University (40th place), Cornell University (47th) and the University of Michigan (51st). The ranking of the world's top 100 Executive MBA 2022 was published today by the British newspaper "Financial Times".
The "Financial Times" rankings include the top business schools and universities that hold at least one of two internationally recognized accreditations: AACSB or EQUIS. Leon Kozminski Academy has had both for the past ten years. However, it is not enough to have accreditation, which has been obtained by several hundred of the 15,000 business schools in operation. The educational program must excel in terms of internationalization, involvement in the ESG (environmental, social, governance) area, scientific publications and, above all, professional and financial advancement of graduates. The FT editors conduct the rankings according to their own methodology, based on official data from universities and surveys from alumni who graduated three years earlier. In the evaluated categories, Kozminski has made great progress year after year, thanks to which this year the university moved up 10 places in the ranking.
- I graduated from the Kozminski Executive MBA in 2019 - says Małgorzata Seck, who shortly after graduating, in January 2020, became a vice president on Canal+'s five-person board. The FT daily conducted a survey for the published ranking among graduates of this year. - Undoubtedly, the diploma I earned helped me in my career, but most importantly, it allowed me to obtain and organize knowledge that is very useful. I finished film studies, and although I have several years of experience in managerial positions in the TV and VoD industry, the MBA gives something more. People from our class are in daily contact with each other, we have a group on Whatsapp, we support each other professionally and cheer each other on to grow. This is priceless.
Also a graduate of the 2019 class is lawyer Piotr Jackowski, who was recently promoted to partner at the well-known law firm Domański Zakrzewski Palinka. Piotr Jackowski has returned to the university in the role of lecturer sharing his knowledge of mergers, acquisitions and VC.
Admission to the EMBA program requires a minimum of eight years of work experience, including five in an independent management position. Applicants must take a GMAT-type test and pass an interview. A multi-stage admissions process allows for thoughtful selection of the group to include exceptional personalities.
- Executive MBA studies emphasize practical training and the use of new technologies, without forgetting values. We tailor the program to the changing world. In addition to solid knowledge reflected in case studies, we try to inspire students by showing them how to manage and act effectively, keeping the world, society and themselves in mind - says Sylwia Hałas-Dej, Ph.D., dean of Kozminski Executive Business School.
Kozminski University's Executive MBA is the oldest program of its kind in Poland, operating continuously since 1989 (it was established even before the university was founded). Currently, the 63rd edition has started. The program is constantly evolving in accordance with the latest trends and guidelines of accrediting institutions such as AMBA. For the past few years, students have participated in weekly classes at the ESCP Business School partner university. They also have the opportunity to take classes at 11 other business schools that make up the Executive MBA Consortium. - I have very fond memories of the residential week at ESCP in Berlin. We had fantastic lectures on strategy and cultural differences - says Małgorzata Seck.
The "FT" also ranked the EMBA program offered by ESCP Business School in cooperation with six European universities, including Kozminski University. It ranked a high fifth globally, mainly due to the internationalization and added value brought by the partners.
- Our partnerships with the best European universities are possible because we are in the same league, as confirmed by the "FT" ranking - says Prof. Grzegorz Mazurek, rector of Kozminski University. - Management education is developing rapidly, and we have been always trying to be at the forefront of change. I am glad that what we've done in the area of ESG, for example, and which made us the only Polish university in the Positive Impact Rating (PIR) of business schools, can inspire others and positively influence partner universities as well. Executive MBA programs today require a broad view of management, so we teach the use of hard tools, such as financial analysis, Big Data, IT, but also the philosophy of applying artificial intelligence or sensitivity in the areas of environment, society and corporate governance (ESG).
The Executive MBA is taken up by people who want to stay abreast of new trends in management and contribute to the ethical, sustainable development of their companies. The MBA at Kozminski is studied by executives interested in managerial careers in corporations, owners and managers of medium-sized private companies, and individual entrepreneurs starting a business. So far, 6,000 people have graduated. Kozminski University stays in touch with most of them, offering lectures and meetings as part of the MBA Graduate Club.
The winners of this year's EMBA 2022 "FT" ranking are programs distinguished by multiculturalism: Kellogg/HKUST from Hong Kong, Ceibs (China, Switzerland and Ghana), Tsinghua University/Insead (China, Singapore, France and the United Arab Emirates). Their place on the podium was secured by graduates who are highly compensated senior executives of companies operating in international markets.
