Warsaw authorities financed their studies at the Collegium Humanum

The authorities of Warsaw, managed by Rafał Trzaskowski, were under criticism after disclosure that the city sponsored studies for employees at the controversial college of Collegium Humanum.

This university, known for its corruption scandals and the ease of obtaining MBA diplomas, has become a symbol of pathology in recruitment processes to municipal companies.

– The Warsaw Office refinanced the cost of studying at the Collegium Humanum 42 employees of the Office – said Elżbieta Markowska, manager of the Warsaw Magistrate.

However, as the media reports, this number may be understated. Rafał Trzaskowski, asked about the graduates of this university, stated that there are “twenty respective graduates” working in urban structures. The ambiguities in the data provided rise doubts about the transparency of the town hall.

After the outbreak of the Collegium Humanum scandal, the president of Warsaw announced that people employed on the basis of diplomas from this university must pass a ministerial examination for members of supervisory boards. "According to the announcements, the decision of the president of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, since 15 January 2025, there are no members of the supervisory boards of municipal companies in Warsaw whose right to sit on the council was confirmed only by an MBA diploma from Collegium Humanum" - said the town hall spokesperson.

Who lost their job?

According to “Gazeta Stołeczna”, about 10 people lost their jobs as a consequence of the decision of the town hall, including deputy mayor of Śródmieście Rafał Krasuski, sitting on the supervisory board of the Warsaw Construction device Management Company, and Paweł Michalec from the Municipal Cleaning Company.

Collegium Humanum became a symbol of strategy problems in Poland. This university, active in the sale of diplomas, allowed fast acquisition of qualifications that opened the way for well-paid jobs in the Treasury companies. The investigation active respective twelve people, and the practice itself was widely commented on in the media.

Insufficient City Hall Responses

Although the decision to remove people with Collegium Humanum diplomas from supervisory boards is simply a step in the right direction, many critics stress that action was taken besides late. "The means to finance studies at specified a controversial university could be utilized much better," comments the typical of the organization City Is Ours.

Following the interpelling of Councilman Damian Artur Kowalczyk of the Law and Justice, activists of this organization claim that thanks to these diplomas, officials took positions on the supervisory boards of city companies. This includes 42 people.

Lack of assurance in authorities

The disclosure of college backing at Collegium Humanum undermined citizens' assurance in the Warsaw authorities. Faced with many problems of the city, specified as deficiencies in infrastructure investments or renovations, spending public money on controversial targets is hard to accept. The case shows how crucial transparency is in managing public funds. Warsawers anticipate the authorities to be reliable and accountable, which failed in this case.