The Polish Ministry of State Assets (MAP) has drafted an amendment to the law on management of state property, aiming to significantly raise the bar for candidates seeking seats on supervisory boards of state-controlled companies. The move comes as a direct response to the recent Collegium Humanum scandal, where politicians and officials obtained MBA diplomas through accelerated programs.
The proposed legislation, which is currently awaiting inclusion in the Council of Ministers’ legislative agenda, introduces several key changes. First, it would give priority to individuals who have managed a large enterprise for at least five years. Such an enterprise is defined as one employing at least 250 people, generating annual turnover exceeding 50 million euros, or holding a balance sheet total above 43 million euros.
Stricter experience and MBA requirements
Beyond the managerial track record, the draft also extends the mandatory professional experience from the current five years to seven years. This means that even candidates with strong academic backgrounds will need to demonstrate a longer period of practical work in relevant fields.
Perhaps the most controversial change concerns MBA degrees. Under the new rules, not every MBA diploma would qualify a candidate for a supervisory board position. Only programs run by properly authorized or accredited universities would be recognized. This provision is a direct reaction to the Collegium Humanum affair, in which politicians and high-ranking officials were found to have obtained MBA degrees in record time, often without proper academic rigor.
Background of the reform
The Collegium Humanum scandal, which erupted earlier this year, revealed a system of fast-track MBA courses that allegedly served as a shortcut to lucrative seats on supervisory boards of state-owned companies. The new regulations aim to close that loophole by ensuring that only legitimate, accredited business education counts toward board eligibility.
The draft is still at an early stage – it has not yet been formally entered into the government’s legislative work list. However, its content signals a clear determination within MAP to professionalize governance in state-controlled entities and to restore public trust after the controversy.
Źródło: wnp.pl, Fot. PTWP
