Marcin Gołek, the Vice President of Poznań for Climate and Environment, confirmed that he possessed an MBA diploma obtained from Collegium Humanum. This Warsaw university, which conducted online postgraduate studies, became the source of a nationwide scandal related to suspicions of issuing diplomas without the required knowledge. The Poznań authorities assure that the diploma did not influence Gołek's employment, although the person concerned claims it helped him secure a position on the supervisory board of a municipal company. After the scandal broke, Gołek allegedly destroyed the document in a shredder. Mayor Jacek Jaśkowiak assessed the decision to study at this institution as a mistake.

Diploma from a controversial university

Poznań Vice President Marcin Gołek obtained an MBA diploma from Collegium Humanum, a private university conducting online studies, which found itself at the center of a nationwide scandal. The institution was criticized for practices related to issuing diplomas, raising suspicions about their credibility.

Impact on local government career

The local government official admitted that possessing the MBA diploma helped him secure a nomination to the supervisory board of the Poznań municipal company Energetyka Poznańska. At the same time, the city authorities assure that this document was not taken into account during the recruitment procedure for the vice president position.

Destruction of the document after the scandal

After the outbreak of the nationwide scandal related to Collegium Humanum, Marcin Gołek decided to physically destroy his diploma using a shredder. He explained that he wanted to distance himself from the negative connotations that began to be associated with this university.

Assessment by superiors and consequences

Poznań Mayor Jacek Jaśkowiak commented on the matter, stating that the decision to study at Collegium Humanum was a mistake. The city authorities emphasize that Gołek's competencies were assessed based on his experience, not the controversial diploma, and they do not plan any changes to his position.

Marcin Gołek, serving as the Vice President of Poznań for Climate and Environment, admitted to possessing a Master of Business Administration diploma obtained from Collegium Humanum. This Warsaw-based higher education institution offering online postgraduate studies became the epicenter of a nationwide scandal when allegations emerged about issuing diplomas without an appropriate level of education. The person concerned explained that he decided to study at this institution due to its convenient, remote form, which allowed him to combine studies with professional duties. However, in an interview with "Głos Wielkopolski," he admitted that, in hindsight, he considers this decision a mistake. After the scandal broke, affecting many local government officials and public figures across the country, Gołek took a radical step and destroyed his diploma using a shredder. As he claimed in a report for the epoznan.pl portal, he wanted to symbolically distance himself from the controversies surrounding the university. Collegium Humanum is a private university founded in 2018, offering mainly postgraduate, MBA, and doctoral studies in an online format. Its activities gained notoriety in 2025 when the media began reporting on suspicions regarding educational standards and the value of issued diplomas, leading to a broad discussion about the quality of private higher education in Poland. The case of the Poznań vice president's diploma also has a practical dimension. Gołek admitted that this document helped him obtain a position on the supervisory board of the municipal company Energetyka Poznańska. This position, as he explained, required appropriate qualifications, and the MBA diploma was meant to confirm them. At the same time, the Poznań authorities, represented by the city hall's press spokesperson, firmly denied that the diploma from Collegium Humanum had any influence on Gołek's employment for the vice president position. They emphasized that his competencies were assessed based on his professional experience and achievements. The city mayor, Jacek Jaśkowiak, commented on the entire matter in a brief statement for "Głos Wielkopolski," calling his deputy's decision to study at the controversial university a mistake. However, he did not indicate any professional or personal consequences. According to information from Onet.pl, Gołek remains in his position, and his continued work at the city hall is not threatened. The case reveals a broader problem of trust in qualifications obtained from private educational institutions and shows how local leaders must face the consequences of nationwide scandals.

Mentioned People

  • Marcin Gołek — Vice President of Poznań for Climate and Environment, admitted to possessing an MBA diploma from Collegium Humanum.
  • Jacek Jaśkowiak — Mayor of Poznań, who commented on the case of his deputy's diploma, calling it a mistake.