President Bronislaw Komorowski has signed an amendment to the bill on higher education, which extends the autonomy of Polish universities and introduces the European Qualifications Framework.

According to the new law, universities will receive financial help from the state budget in accordance to the level of education they offer.

Students who decide to study at two faculties will have to pay for the second one and professors who signed permanent job agreements with public universities will not be allowed to teach at other higher education establishments.

Other changes include easier career paths for young gifted scientists and closer ties between the academic environment and business world.

President Komorowski stressed that the law will pave the way for positive changes in Polish science.

Polish universities will have more freedom in choosing curricula and creating new faculties.

“The law extends the autonomy of universities in Poland but also makes them more responsible for the way they spend money and make progress in scientific research,” he said.

European Qualifications Framework will also be adopted by Polish universities which will make it possible to compare Polish university degrees with those from other European higher education establishments.

The law will come in force on 1 October. (mg)

Source: IAR