More and more doctorates in Poland, soon from private institutions as well

The number of doctorate degrees awarded in Poland is growing each year, with 4000 granted last year, almost double the 1996 figure. "We want academic staff to grow in size more quickly than it has in the past. This is why we have changed the financing system for universities so that the number of doctoral students will increase," said Tadeusz Poplonkowski from the Education Ministry. Next month a ground-breaking event in Polish academic life could take place - the first doctoral examination at a private institution of higher education. The exam will take place at the Leon Kozminlski Academy of Entrepreneurship and Management (WSPiZ) in Warsaw, the first private institution in Poland to be granted the right to award doctorate degrees. (Gazeta Wyborcza, page 5)