Central Europe Connect – joint certificate program (CEC)

The Joint Certificate Program #centraleuropeconnect gives bachelor’s students the opportunity to study at three different locations and strengthen their expertise in Europe’s fastest-growing region together with international students from WU and EUBA partner universities.

Three business schools – WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business), University of Economics in Bratislava (EUBA) and SGH Warsaw School of Economics – joined forces to develop the certificate program “Central Europe Connect”. Participants in the program will learn about the issues that multinational firms are facing when doing business in the Central European region.  We are launching an additional recruitment process for the Spring Semester 2024.

The economies of Central Europe impress with a fast catching-up process as well as economic growth and vitality. Strong foreign direct investment inflows, a renewed industrialization, the integration into global value chains as well as the emergence of local champions have been shaping the new economic landscape. The region ranging from Poland over Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia to Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria has become the “home market” for many regional players. This study program brings together students from three universities and prepares them for a career with multinational firms operating in the region.

Opis

Participants of CEC program, Spring edition 2023

Participants of CEC program, Spring edition 2023

Program Elements at a Glance:

  • A program in English with a focus on international business in the context of Central Europe
  • Three one-week courses within one semester at three renowned universities
  • 15-20 bachelor’s students from each university study and work together on projects in intercultural teams
  • Company visits, case studies and project work provide practice insights
  • Sightseeing tours and social events enrich the local experience
  • An interactive approach and work in teams form the starting point for a network of Central European talents

The Target Group

  • Central Europe Connect invites students from the three universities in an advanced stage of their bachelor’s studies with an excellent command of English, outstanding study performance and interest to study in a multicultural group.
Partner Universities

Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU – Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien) is the largest university focusing on economics and business in Austria. Internationality was already among WU’s key values at WU’s founding in 1898 as an Export Academy. WU emphasizes internationalization in its teaching and research activities. It increasingly draws students from outside Austria, mostly from Central and Eastern Europe. Today it is ranked as one of the best business schools in Europe what is also reflected in the “Triple Accreditation” (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS).

University of Economics in Bratislava (EUBA – Ekonomická univerzita v Bratislave) is the leading public higher education institution focusing on business, economics and management in Slovakia. It provides higher education in more than 60 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs for full-time and part-time students. Internationalization and the development of international partnerships with universities, enterprises, and other institutions belong to the priorities of the university. EUBA runs several international double and joint degree programs with partner universities in Europe and Asia.

Application Process for the AY 2023/2024

Requirements:

  • Bachelor students (II and III years)
  • good command of English (min. B2 level)
  • good study performance
  • interest to study in a multicultural group

SGH students interested in the application (according to the information in the Selection Rules for the academic year 2023/2024) should send the following application documents by email in one PDF file to Mr Mikolaj Stawicki, mstawick@sgh.waw.pl:

  • scan of the transcript of records (with calculated GPA) issued by the SGH Bachelor Dean’s Office;
  • scan of a copy of the certificate confirming knowledge of English (at least B2 level)
  • scan of the motivation letter (with indicated cohort: Fall or Spring)

The deadline for sending the application documents is November 22nd.

CEEPUS Grant

Students  admitted to the Central Europe Connect Joint Certificate Program for Fall semester 2023 are encouraged to apply for CEEPUS grant for Venna Course Week and Bratislava Course Week. Application instructions will be sent to the admitted students in the separate email.

Please note: CEEPUS grant is applicable only for the students with the Polish citizenship or the citizenship of the countries that are presently signatories to the CEEPUS Agreement: Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Czech Republic, Hungary, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.

Timeline

The recruitment process applies only to the Spring Semester 2024

SPRING SEMESTER 2024

  • WU: March 11-16, 2024
  • SGH: April 15-20, 2024​
  • EUBA: May 13-18, 2024
Course structure

Three courses form the core of Central Europe Connect. While the program was jointly developed, experienced faculty from each university delivers the courses:

  • Vienna: Strategies and Management for Central Europe
  • Bratislava: Structural Dynamics in Central European Economies
  • Warsaw: Marketing Resources and Consumer Behaviour in Central Europe

Each course consists of pre- and post-course assignments and encompasses 4 ECTS credits.

After successful completion of Central Europe Connect, students receive an official joint certificate signed by representatives of all three universities: WU, EUBA and SGH.

Documents to download

PL:

EN:

Contacts at SGH Warsaw School of Economics:

  • Program manager: Mr Mikolaj Stawicki, email: mstawick@sgh.waw.pl
  • Program coordinator: Ms Katarzyna Kacperczyk, Director of International Centre
Central Europe Connect - group photo at WU Wien