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Changes in the
SystemofHigher
Education in Poland
A Historical Perspective
andPresent Challenges
Małgorzata Cieciora
INTRODUCTION
Throughout the last 20 years after the end of the so-called centrally planned economy in Poland, a
series of signicant changes in the Polish system of higher education could be noticed. Just at the
very beginning of the economic transformation (often referred to as “Balcerowicz Plan” or “shock
therapy”), one could observe the tremendous impact that the new, market economy had on the aca-
demic sector. First, nonpublic schools were opened as early as in 1990, and state-owned universities
started to offer commercia ...