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History

The history of the Upper Silesian University of Entrepreneurship Karol Godula (GWSP) in Chorzów begins in 1999. As a result of the decision of March 5, 1999, the Minister of National Education granted the GWSP permission to conduct higher education. GWSP was entered into the register of universities of the Ministry of National Education under number 25. The founder of the GWSP is the Foundation for Entrepreneurial Education.

The inspiration for establishing GWSP was the culture of Upper Silesia and its industrial and entrepreneurial traditions. An important component of this culture is the tradition of self-government and social self-organization. Nowadays, the genesis of GWSP can be found in the processes of restructuring the region’s economy and the establishment of local governments. The Upper Silesian University of Entrepreneurship was established as a response to the challenges faced by enterprises and local communities in Upper Silesia at the turn of the century.

The history of GWSP is related to the development of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial self-management, which are to lead to the creation of new companies and jobs, and which require the qualitative shaping of a new generation of human capital. Upper Silesia needs the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and, at the same time, co-management of local and regional development.

GWSP was established under the wings and program and personnel patronage of the University of Economics (formerly the University of Economics) in Katowice. GWSP based in Chorzów has been supported and sponsored by the local government authorities of the city of Chorzów since the beginning of its activity.

Calendar of major events

• 1997 – submission of documentation to the Ministry of National Education on the creation of the GWSP,
• 1999 – March 5 – decision of the Minister of National Education granting the GWSP based in Chorzów permission to conduct higher education,
• 1999 – October 1 – inauguration of the first academic year at GWSP at the Faculty of New Economics,
• 2001 – October 10 – naming the University after Karol Godula – a pioneer of entrepreneurship in Upper Silesia and a European-class industrialist, consecration of the University’s banner and the insignia of the rector’s authorities,
• 2001-2002 – comprehensive modernization of building A co-financed by the local and regional Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management,
• 2003-2004 – obtaining the right to conduct studies in the following fields: Economics, Management, Finance and Accounting, IT and Econometrics,
• 2004 – transformation of the Faculty of New Economics into the Faculty of New Economics and Financial Engineering and establishment of the Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Computer Science,
• 2004-2005 – comprehensive modernization of building B,
• 2005 – establishment of the Amicus GWSP medal,
• 2005 – obtaining an Erasmus card enabling international exchange of students and lecturers, currently the University has an Erasmus card until 2020,
• 2008 – return to the single-faculty structure and development of the faculty name on New Economics and Creative Economy in 2012,
• 2008 – changes in the organizational structure of the University and the creation of three departments to replace the existing departments,
• 2009-2010 – formulation and adoption of the “Medium-term strategy of the Upper Silesian University of Entrepreneurship Karola Goduli “and the operational program implementing the strategy,
• 2011-2013 – launching the process of transforming GWSP from a university with an economic profile into a university educating in the field of economic sciences, in the field of art, in the discipline of health sciences,
• 2012 – obtaining the right to study Games and Interactive Graphics,
• 2013 – obtaining the right to conduct studies in the field of Modern Business – Management and Accounting,
• 2013 – obtaining the right to conduct studies in the field of Artistic Therapy,
• 2016 – modification of the University’s structure resulting in the functioning of three departments: Management and Accounting, Creative Economy and Artistic and Natural Therapy.