Central Europe Connect – joint certificate program (CEC) | SGH

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 currently recruting for the Fall 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

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).

website of Vienna University of Economics and Business

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.

website of University of Economics in Bratislava

Application Process for the AY 2024/2025

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 2024/2025) should send the following application documents by MS Forms: https://forms.office.com/e/TbaaSQU4SS

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

The deadline for sending the application documents is 11th November

CEEPUS Grant

Students admitted to the Central Europe Connect Joint Certificate Program for Spring Semester 2025 are encouraged to apply for CEEPUS grant for Vienna 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 2025

SPRING SEMESTER 2025

SGH: March 10-15, 2025
EUBA: April 7-12, 2025
WU: May 5-10, 2025

Online meetings on the project: 12th of March, 26th of March, 9th of April, 23rd of April

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:

Warsaw: Marketing Resources and Consumer Behaviour in Central Europe
Bratislava: Structural Dynamics in Central European Economies
Vienna: Project course: Strategies and management 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