Final project presentations at Kozminski University in Poland

“Nine editions, international awards, academic staff from a leading business university and a practical approach to learning — these features are all aimed at raising the level of Polish sport and fostering the growth of managerial competencies.”

For over ten years, Kozminski University (KU) and its local partners have been committed to this mission and objectives alongside CIES through the KU/FIFA/CIES International University Network Programme in Sports Management.

Last month, twenty-seven talented students successfully defended their final group projects, bringing an end to nine months of intensive study. They are now looking forward to the graduation ceremony in October 2025.

Karol Tatar, the CIES Local Coordinator in Poland, said, 'We have been creating a study programme that we ourselves would like to participate in. Our ambition is to present current trends and concepts in sports management comprehensively, to equip participants with the right managerial tools, to inspire positive change and to encourage relationship building within the sports industry. We take a broad view of sports management, drawing on experience and learning from the best in the field.”

In Poland, the KU/FIFA/CIES International Programme covers the following six areas of study: Management, Marketing, Law, Finance, Event Management and Communication. Each module combines essential theoretical foundations, meetings with industry experts and practical workshops, thus offering a comprehensive and up-to-date perspective on issues related to the world of sport. Classes are taught by faculty staff from Kozminski University, a leading higher education institution in Poland. According to the 2024 Financial Times ranking, Kozminski University is the top business school in Central and Eastern Europe. The university has been ranked among the top three economics schools in Poland for many years. In 2024 it held second place in the Perspektywy educational magazine ranking.

The group of lecturers is complemented by industry practitioners, subject-matter experts, and leaders from the sports sector with national and international experience. During the ninth edition of the programme alone, classes were conducted by the following speakers:

• Simon Chadwick – researcher, author, academic lecturer, consultant, and speaker with over 25 years’ of experience.
• Nicolas Evans – Head of Research & Standards at FIFA.
• Gautier Vasseur – former French national handball team player and expert in organisational effectiveness and leadership.
• Robert Korzeniowski – Advisor to the Minister of Sport and Tourism for Sports Strategy, three-time world champion (1997, 2001, 2003) and four-time Olympic gold medalist (1996, 2000, 2004), the most decorated Polish Olympian.
• Dagmara Gerasimuk – IBU Development Director.
• Michał Bartnicki – Communication and Social Media Expert at FIFA.
• Tomasz Świerczewski – Venue Manager for the FIFA World Cup 2022 and UEFA EURO 2024.
• Marek Karpiński – former Head Coach of the Polish women’s national handball team (2000–2004) and Coach of the Polish women's beach handball team.
• Marcin Rosengarten – Director of the Diamond League – Kamila Skolimowska Memorial; owner of AthleTeam;  former journalist and commentator.
• Monika Płaczkowska – Partnerships Sales Director at SPORTFIVE.
• Dorian Dziubiński – Sports Event Coordinator, UEFA Venue Director and Polish FA Match Delegate.
• Grzegorz Łagowski – International Sponsorship and Communications Manager at InPost.
• Andrzej Kruczyński – former GROM Military Unit Officer and former Head of Security at the National Stadium in Warsaw.
• Karol Tatar – Head of Marketing and Sponsorship at the Polish Football Association (PZPN) and member of the UEFA Marketing Committee.
• Sebastian Felkner – CEO of OV Grupa (Meczyki, Foot Truck, PPE, Telepolis).
• Marcin Rzeźniczek – Event Director at KSW.
• Dawid Prokopowicz – Senior Sales Consultant at Google.
• Robert Kisiel – Head of Sports Sponsorship Sales at TVP.
• Mieszko Rajkiewicz and Michał Banasiak – both from the Polish Institute for Sports Diplomacy.

This diverse and accomplished group ensures that participants benefit from real-world knowledge and cutting-edge industry insights.

Many thanks to the excellent team at Kozminski University. We look forward to presenting the students with their diplomas at the graduation ceremony in October.

Recruitment for the 10th edition of the programme is now open. Further information on how to apply is available at the below link.

https://www.kozminski.edu.pl/pl/oferta-edukacyjna/studia-podyplomowe/zarzadzanie-w-sporcie