Prague University of Economics and Business

Vysoká škola obchodní ("Business School") was established in 1919 as a department of the Czech Technical University in Prague, specialising in wholesale trade, banking and the organization of industrial companies. In 1949 the Vysoká škola politických a hospodářských věd (University of Political and Economic Sciences) was established, which was finally renamed the University of Economics in 1953. The University underwent a significant reform in 1989 after the Velvet Revolution.[1] In 2020, the University of Economics, Prague was renamed in English - new brand name of VŠE in English is Prague University of Economics and Business.

The university is composed of six faculties, spread over three campuses. The main campus is in Žižkov, in Prague. A secondary campus is found in Jižní Město on the outskirts of the city. The Faculty of Management is located separately from the others at its own campus in Jindřichův Hradec, 110 kilometres away from Prague.

The six faculties of the university are:

• Faculty of Finance and Accounting (FFA)
• Faculty of International Relations (FIR)
• Faculty of Business Administration (FBA)
• Faculty of Informatics and Statistics (FIS)
• Faculty of Economics (FEPA)
• Faculty of Management in Jindrichuv Hradec (FM)

In the annual Eduinversal ranking 2018[2] the Prague University of Economics and Business (VŠE) gained a title of the best Business School in the Eastern Europe.

The Faculty of Business Administration (FBA) has been accredited by the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), the first business school in the Czech Republic and fourth in Central and Eastern Europe.[3] The Prague University of Economics and Business Master in Management ranked 22nd worldwide in the pertinent Financial Times ranking 2020.[4]

Over 1000 students spend a semester abroad every year, at institutions including Duke University (Fuqua School of Business), Copenhagen Business School, University of St. Gallen, and Vienna University.

14% of students are foreign nationals, typically from other European Union member states, the United States and East European countries. In 2010/2011, VŠE cooperated with 250 partner universities, including Sciences Po Paris, University of Cologne, Tilburg University, Stockholm School of Economics, University of St. Gallen, London School of Economics, Tel Aviv University, University of Queensland, McGill University, Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school issues a number of international degrees, including joint and double degrees. Each year, around 60 visiting professors come to teach at the university, and more than 90 courses are taught in English.

Since 2000 the Gary Becker Prize for the best student's thesis in economics (a prize previously associated with IMADEC of Vienna) was awarded at the university.[5]

The university is a member of the Global Alliance in Management Education (CEMS), Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA),[6] and Partnership in International Management (PIM) networks.[7]

In addition, over 1100 students from institutions overseas come to VŠE each semester. In 2005, a new International Learning Center was established as part of expansion of university premises. Courses for these students are run in Czech, English, German, French and Russian languages.

• Jan Fischer (b. 1951), statistician, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic (2009–10), Minister of Finance of the Czech Republic (2013–14). Graduated 1974, completed post-graduate studies 1985.[8]
• Martin Jahn (b. 1970), Czech politician and economist, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy (2004–05). Graduated in 1994 with a Masters in International Trade.[9]
• Petr Kellner (b. 1964), investor, businessman (one of the USD billionaires), owner of PPF company[10]
• Václav Klaus (b. 1941), President of the Czech Republic (2003-2013), Prime Minister of the Czech Republic (1992–97). Graduated in 1963 majoring in Foreign Trade Economics.[11]
• Valtr Komárek (1930–2013), economist and politician[12]
• Jiří Paroubek (b. 1952), Prime Minister of the Czech Republic (2005–2006), Member of the Chamber of Deputies (2006–13), former chairman of Czech Social Democratic Party[13]
• Jiří Rusnok (b. 1960), politician and economist, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic (2013–2014), Minister of Finance (2001–02), Minister of Industry and Trade (2002–03). Graduated 1984.[14]
• Josef Tošovský (b. 1950), Prime Minister of the Czech Republic (1997–1998), governor of the Czech National Bank (1989–1992; 1993–2000). He studied at the university from 1968 to 1973, graduating in Foreign Trade.[15]
• Zdeněk Tůma (b. 1960), governor of the Czech National Bank (2000–2010) and politician. Studied at the university 1979–83.[16]
• Miloš Zeman, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic (1998–2002), President of the Czech Republic (2013–present). Studied 1965–69 at the university, specialising in Economic Forecasting, and also taught.[17]
• Josef Zieleniec (b. 1946), Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic (1993–97) Member of the European Parliament (2004–09). Graduated in 1974, specialising in Industrial Economics.[18]
• Laura Longauerová (b. 1995), Slovak model and beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Slovakia 2014 and Miss Universe Slovenskej Republiky 2019
• Josef Průša (b. 1990), Creator of Prusa Research

• University website
• Virtual Economic Library Econlib website
• ISIS VŠE (Information system for students and teachers)
• iList (Independent student magazine and web)
• Economix (Student magazine)
• Unie studentů VŠE (Students' Union of the Prague University of Economics and Business)