A dynamically changing economy and increasing labour market demands mean that the traditional academic education model is not always sufficient to prepare students for professional challenges. For years, the SGH Warsaw School of Economics has emphasised a practical approach to teaching, fostered by close collaboration with the business sector. This is the main idea behind the SGH Partners Club, where companies contribute to the curriculum by offering joint classes, lectures and case studies. This partnership makes education at SGH even more effective and tailored to the real market needs.
The collaboration between academia and businesses takes many forms, from inviting experts from renowned companies to deliver lectures to organising workshops to student participation in real business projects and company visits. A great example to quote is courses conducted in partnership with companies, where students analyse real business cases and specialised thematic modules are led by business professionals. Instead of focusing solely on theoretical considerations, students face authentic challenges that businesses encounter daily. This approach not only makes learning more engaging but also develops analytical and strategic skills, which are essential in today’s job market.
LEARNING THROUGH SOLVING REAL-WORLD PROBLEMS
Many companies collaborating with SGH provide students with real business problems to solve. This partnership is well exemplified by the banking and consulting sectors, where students analyse topics such as the development strategy for digital banking services in retail banking or explore the Private Banking sector.
The participants in these projects had to consider current market trends, legal regulations and customer expectations, allowing them to gain valuable experience and practical problem-solving skills. They also explored how the profile of Poland’s wealthiest people is evolving and what this means for the banking sector.
Another example is SGH collaboration with Samsung Electronics Poland as part of the Creative Problem-Solving Process and Design Thinking course (CEMS). This course introduced students to the design thinking methodology for creative problem solving. Students learned how to analyse and address challenges while keeping the user’s needs in mind. The course combined theory with practice, applying the learning-by-doing model.
The classes incorporated diverse educational tools such as
- Lectures presenting creative work methodologies and the essence of design thinking;
- Workshops guiding students through the problem-solving process, from identifying the issue to brainstorming solutions and planning actions;
- Hands-on workshops focused on applying design thinking and prototyping;
- A study visit combined with practical workshops on using new technologies in education, held at Samsung’s Warsaw showroom.
As part of the course, students were tasked with creating an innovative educational project focused on entrepreneurship using AI, VR, and Metaverse technologies. The project had to be user-centered while also considering business aspects such as the business model and customer value. Through this experience, students not only gained practical skills and knowledge but also developed essential soft, interpersonal and entrepreneurial competencies necessary in today’s world.
ACADEMIA AND BUSINESS – A SYNERGISTIC CONNECTION
The integration of academic learning with real business experience benefits both students and companies. Businesses gain access to talented individuals who are well-prepared for professional challenges, while students receive up-to-date practical knowledge and opportunities to build professional networks.
The collaboration between academia and business is, therefore, a cornerstone of success—for SGH and for the future market leaders. In the face of increasing competition in the job market, this integration is a key to success for universities, students and businesses alike. SGH continues its efforts to ensure that education and practice go hand in hand, creating value added for the entire economy.
PATRYCJA DUTKIEWICZ, former Director of the Centre for Corporate Relations, SGH
