The Central Anticorruption Office (CBA) made spectacular stops. On Thursday around 4:00 p.m., CBA agents detained erstwhile associate of the European Parliament, Richard C., at Warsaw Airport. At the same time, his wife, Emilia H. Jacek Dobrzyński, a spokesperson for the peculiar Services Coordinator, informed about the events on platform X (formerly Twitter).
The detentions are part of a broad investigation conducted by the CBA together with the Katowice branch of the National Prosecutor's Office. The investigation concerns the controversial college of Collegium Humanum, which has been at the centre of serious corruption charges since 2023. Richard C. was an crucial person.
Collegium Humanum: Diploma Trading
Collegium Humanum, a non-public college established in 2018 in Warsaw, became the subject of a scandal that shook public opinion. In March 2023, the CBA detained 2 persons suspected of accepting property and individual benefits in connection with the university's activities. Collegium Humanum was suspected of offering MBA courses, which would immediately prepare graduates to service on the supervisory boards of the Treasury companies.
Although the university collaborated with global institutions, it turned out that these institutions did not have the authority to conduct MBA studies. Journalism investigation revealed that high-ranking politicians, presidents of Treasury companies and peculiar services officers were among the graduates of Collegium Humanum. Thus, the diplomas of this university could be a pass to lucrative positions.
Richard C. resisted charges publicly
It is worth recalling that Richard C., who sat in the Collegium Humanum Convention, already a year ago referred to media accusations related to the university. The guest of the WP 'Tlit' program powerfully denied that he knew about illegal practices.
– I didn't have that kind of knowledge, which is why I want this case cleared up as shortly as possible. – declared Euro MP PiS. He besides tried to convince that the scandal was not only about people associated with his party. He emphasized that among university graduates were politicians of various groups. – For example, there were mayors of Mokotowa, Downtown, Targówka, and thus politicians of the Civic Platform – he said.
He besides pointed out that the convention in which he sits is an honorary and social structure and its members have no influence on the functioning of the university. He reserved that his function in the Collegium Humanum is only prestigious, which is intended to defend against suspicions of any engagement in possible irregularities.
Richard C. stopped. Is this a crucial moment?
The detention of Richard C. and Emilia H. is another crucial component in the investigation into Collegium Humanum. Although the details of the charges have not yet been officially disclosed, everything indicates that the erstwhile Euro MP and his wife may have ties to the illegal trade in diplomas.
The Collegium Humanum case has long been controversial. The university, advertised as a prestigious institution offering fast career paths, has proven to be associated with serious abuses. The key component of the investigation is to find to what degree its activities had an impact on the filling of key positions in companies of the Treasury and another public institutions.
Read more: New manager of Polish Post Office associated with Collegium Humanum
MBA reputation in Poland threatened
The issue related to Collegium Humanum puts the prestige of the MBA program in Poland at issue. In fresh years, more and more people have chosen to improve their qualifications to gain better positions in large companies or the public sector. However, it turned out that not all MBA diplomas offered in Poland are in line with global standards.
In the case of Collegium Humanum, diplomas were awarded in a way that did not meet academic requirements. Thus, those who benefited from these programmes could gain positions for which they were not decently prepared. This affair casts a shadow on the full training manufacture in Poland.
Public opinion response
The Collegium Humanum affair has sparked a stir in the media and among the public. Poles began to question the legality of diplomas and qualifications of people who obtained advanced positions by graduating from this university. Questions arose about how it was possible that the university, which offered dubious courses, could operate without major obstacles for so long.
At the same time, the detention of Richard C. and his wife opened a fresh chapter in the investigation. As the investigation progresses, it is expected that further shocking facts will appear regarding the functioning of the Collegium Humanum and the function played by influential politicians and officials.
Consequences for Polish Higher Education
The Collegium Humanum case poses serious challenges to the Polish educational system. The request for greater control over private universities, especially those offering MBA programmes, is increasingly apparent. advanced positions in the public sector should be awarded solely on the basis of reliable qualifications, not through suspicious diplomas.
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