We have been in existence since 1997 and have already graduated over 10,000 students. We have a professional academic staff. Such luminaries as Professor Jadwiga Wyczesany, a member of the Polish Academy of Sciences, teach at our university. Her academic achievements include creating the first special education department at the Jagiellonian University in Poland. In the 2015 Perspektywy ranking, we are the best private university in our category. We educate in the fields of Administration and Pedagogy, as well as in 20 postgraduate programs. We conduct extensive international scientific cooperation, including with the best Pedagogical Institute in Ukraine. The branch in Stalowa Wola was opened thanks to a resident of Stalowa Wola who took over the founding rights of the Higher School of Administration. We educate in bachelor’s and master’s programs in the fields of Administration and Pedagogy.

STATUTES OF THE  UNIVERSITY »

The Higher School of Administration in Bielsko-Biała began its operations on October 1, 1997. The idea of establishing a higher education institution in the city, which would educate workers for the specific social needs of the region, originated in 1995 in the M. Rej School Association, gathering the intellectual class of the Evangelical-Augsburg Church from the Podbeskidzie and Cieszyn Silesia areas. The establishment and development of the university were significantly contributed to by professors from Kraków universities; one of the initiators and the first Rector of the Higher School of Administration was Professor Józef Filipek, PhD.

Initially, the University was to educate students, enabling them to obtain a bachelor’s degree in the first course of study – administration. In connection with the rapid development of the Higher School of Administration and the interest of young people, a new direction was established in 2001 – international relations. In the following years, the University, responding to the needs of the regional community, implemented further development plans by enriching its educational offer. In July 2005, another course of study was launched – physiotherapy. The education profile of the Higher School of Administration was then supplemented with two more courses of study: pedagogy in 2006 and cultural studies in 2008. In 2009, the University gained the right to educate students in second-degree studies (master’s). The Higher School of Administration continues to develop, expanding its educational offer and increasing the number of postgraduate studies conducted.

The idea to establish a higher education institution emerged within the M. Rej School Society in 1995. After unsuccessful attempts to receive assistance from the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Silesia in Katowice, the Society turned for help to the Faculty of Law and Administration at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. Thanks to the kindness of the then-dean of the faculty, Professor Józef Wójcik, PhD with habilitation, and subsequently the Faculty Council, a group of employees of the Faculty of Law and Administration at the Jagiellonian University was appointed. Under the guidance of Professor Józef Filipek, PhD with habilitation, they prepared a program for bachelor’s studies in administration, and in cooperation with members of the Society’s board, they drafted a suitable application to the Minister of National Education.

The founding documents state that the mission of the School of Administration will primarily be to enable graduates of secondary schools in the Podbeskidzie region, employees of government and local government administration, as well as other individuals, to acquire higher education in administration. Additionally, as an essential part of the school’s mission, establishing ongoing cooperation with the public administration offices of the region in the implementation of various tasks was embraced, and due to the border location, cooperation with Slovakia and the Czech Republic was also initiated.

By decision no. DNS 1-145/TBM/192/97 of July 4, 1997, the Minister of National Education granted permission to establish the School of Administration in Bielsko-Biała (no. N 119 in the register of non-public higher education institutions of the Minister of National Education), direction of studies: Administration, simultaneously determining the validity of the permit for a period of five years. The School of Administration, created on the basis of this decision, undertook to fulfill the mission presented by the founder. The University strives to continue to fulfill it, giving it a broader dimension in the conditions of developing relations of Poland as a member of the European Union. As the first Rector of the School of Administration, the founder appointed Prof. Józef Filipek, PhD with habilitation, who held this position until August 31, 2003. After his resignation due to health reasons, the founder appointed Prof. Irene Pietrzyk, PhD with habilitation to this position. Professor Pietrzyk managed the University in the years 2003-2006. Due to the requirements of the new Higher Education Act of 2005, there was a change in the Rector’s position – from September 1, 2006, it was taken by dr Tadeusz Wojtuszek, who held this position until August 31, 2007. Then, from September 1, 2007, the founder appointed Dr. Aleksander Mańka for a 2-year term as the Rector of the School of Administration. From September 1, 2009, until September 30, 2014, the position of Rector of the School of Administration was held by Prof. Wiesława Korzeniowska, PhD with habilitation. As of October 1, 2014, the position of Rector was taken over by ks. Prof. Manfred Uglorz, PhD with habilitation.

In March 2001, an application was submitted for permission to launch a second field of study at the Higher School of Administration, namely International Relations. By decision no. DSW.2-0143-34/2001 of 25 July 2001, the Minister of National Education allowed the launch of professional higher education in International Relations. Since the University functioned as a single-faculty institution until 2001, dr Michał Kalitowski, the Dean, oversaw both fields of study. In 2003, by decision of the Senate of the Higher School of Administration (Resolution No. 1/33 of 1 October 2003), two faculties were established at the University – the Faculty of Administration and the Faculty of International Relations. Dr. Michał Kalitowski continued to serve as the Dean of the Faculty of Administration until 31 August 2005. From 1 September 2005, dr Antoni Osierda took over the Faculty of Administration. The first Dean of the Faculty of International Relations was Dr. Jarosław Reszczyński (2003-2005). Subsequently, this function was performed by: dr Irena Głuszyńska (2005-2006) and dr Zbigniew Włosowicz (2006-2007). By the decision of the University Senate of 18 May 2007 (Resolution 5/70), the Faculty of International Relations was liquidated, and the course was incorporated into the Faculty of Social Sciences (which had been offering first-degree studies in Pedagogy since 2006). In July 2006, the University received permission (decision DSW-3-4003/230/EK/Rej.119/06) to launch the Pedagogy course at the Faculty of Social Sciences. The first Dean was appointed dr Zbigniew Marten (2006-2007), and from 1 September 2007 the Dean is dr Arkadiusz Wąsiński. By decision of the Senate of the Higher School of Administration of 12 October 2007, the Faculty of Social Sciences was renamed the Faculty of Humanities and International Studies. In August 2009, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education granted the Faculty of Humanities and International Studies of the Higher School of Administration the rights to conduct second-degree (Master’s) studies in International Relations (MNiSW-DNS-WUN-6022-1099-4/KT/09). In December 2010, the Faculty also received permission to conduct second-degree studies in Pedagogy (decision of the Minister of Science and Higher Education – MNiSW-DNS-WUN-6022-12400-1/SA/10).

On 11 May 2012, the Senate positively assessed the Rector’s request to transform the Faculty of Humanities and International Studies into two separate faculties from 1.09.2012:

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, which offered studies in Pedagogy. The Dean of the Faculty until 30 June 2014 was Dr. Arkadiusz Wąsiński, followed by ks. Prof. dr hab. Manfred Uglorz until 30 September 2014.

The Faculty of International Studies, where studies in International Relations are currently being conducted. The Dean of the Faculty is dr Irena Głuszyńska.

In July 2005, the Minister of National Education, by decision DSW-34003/704/EK/Rej.119/05, allowed the launch of another field of study: Physiotherapy on the newly established Faculty of Physiotherapy. The first dean of this faculty was Prof. dr hab. Krzysztof Spodaryk (2005-2006), followed by dr Janusz Bromboszcz (2006 – 31.01.2007). From 1 February 2007 to 30.09.2014, the Dean of the Faculty of Physiotherapy was dr Maciej Płaszewski. From 5 December 2014, the Faculty of Physiotherapy is headed by dr Joanna Szymańska, MD.

In July 2013, the Faculty of Physiotherapy received a decision from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MNiSW-DKN.ZNU.6022.149.2013.EK.3) granting the rights to conduct second-degree studies in Physiotherapy.

On 01 July 2008, in accordance with the decision DSW-2-06-4003-131/08 of the Minister of Science and Higher Education, the Higher School of Administration received permission to provide education in the field of Cultural Studies at the first-degree level.

From the beginning of the University’s operation, the administrative director was responsible for matters unrelated to teaching, and after the change in the statute of the Higher School of Administration, its Chancellor, mgr Renata Rosowska. The change in this position took place on 1 July 2014, and the new Chancellor of the University became mgr Beata Branc-Gorgosz.