University of Economics - then the College of Social and Economic Sciences - was opened to students on January 11, 1937 when first lectures at the Faculty of Industrial Organisation took place. The first Rector of the University was Dr. Józef Lisak. Not long after the foundation of the University, the World War II began and the school was closed between September 1939 and February 1945. After the war, the number of students increased very quickly and the University authorities decided to move both the academic and administrative sections from the Śląskie Techniczne Zakłady Naukowe buildings to the old city hall in Katowice-Zawodzie and Building A at Bogucicka street. The academic year 1946/1947 was inaugurated in the new buildings. In 1950 the Polish government decided to standardize economic education in the whole country. At that time, the name of the University was changed to State College of Economic Administration. In 1972, to mark its 35th anniversary, the University was given the name of Karol Adamiecki and two years later the school gained its present name. Latest changes include modernization of the old buildings, as well as the opening of new didactic-accommodation facilities. The organization of the University has also undergone some changes related to the growing number of faculties and specializations, such as the foundation of the Faculty of Finance and Insurance in 2002 and the Faculty of Informatics and Communication in 2009. By the decision of the Polish Parliament, since 1 October 2010 the name of the institution in Polish changes from "Akademia Ekonomiczna im. Karola Adamieckiego w Katowicach" to "Uniwersytet Ekonomiczny w Katowicach".
Additionally, there are inter-faculty institutions: Inter-Faculty Centre for Foreign Languages, Careers Centre, Silesian Business Language School, Department of Physical Education and Sports etc. Inter-Faculty Centre for Foreign Languages offers languages courses in nine languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Hebrew, Russian and Ukrainian, each at six different levels. There is also Polish course for foreigners available. Department of Physical Education and Sports offers various sporting activities such as soccer, volleyball, tennis, swimming classes, yoga and a gym. Students talented in arts and music could also join University Choir or Song and Dance Ensemble "Silesianie". University of Economics in Katowice offers Doctoral Studies in economics, management and finance, as well. Another department of the university of Silesian School of Business and Administration, which offers postgraduate studies as well as practical trainings in areas of management, finance and information technology.
Student life
Accommodation
The Dormitory is situated about 20 minutes by bus from the main University buildings, in Ligota - a green and quiet district of Katowice, with its own centre and railway station. The dormitory is located near a big student residential area consisting of dormitories of almost all higher education institutions in Katowice.
Student organizations
There are various student organisations, associations and scientific clubs at our University where students can acquire professional experience e.g. in project management. Moreover, they have multiple chances to develop their soft skills like teamwork, planning and organising, integrity, problem-solving or intercultural skills.
Campus
Katowice & Rybnik
University of Economics in Katowice operates on two campuses: in Katowice and in Rybnik. Katowice is the main campus, located in Zawodzie neighborhood, approximately 2 kilometers from the city center. The university moved to this location in 1946 and since then numerous investments have been completed. Building A is the original building of the university and still remains the main one, with the largest auditorium - Aula Maior - that can host up to 400 people. Building C is dedicated to sports and contains a swimming pool and a gym.
The Scientific Information Centre and Academic Library is a joint project of the University of Silesia and the University of Economics in Katowice. The goal of the project is the construction and opening of a modern scientific library which will meet 21st century standards in terms of rendering available the information necessary for executing programs of studies at both these universities, improving the quality of teaching via increasing the research potential, improving the availability of scientific literature in the region, as well as increasing the role of the University of Silesia and the University of Economics in international scientific relations.
