Prof. dr hab. Edmund Pietrzak

Edmund Pietrzak was born in 1946 in Lębork. Both Professor’s studies and subsequent research and teaching career were associated with the Department of Economics, University of Gdansk. He was an expert in the issues of international finance and financial markets, an outstanding specialist in the field of macroeconomic policy. In the transition period in Poland he was one of the people responsible for construction of a market financial system. In 1998-2002 he co-founded the assumptions of Polish Foreign Exchange Law and other regulations, as an expert of the Chamber of Parliament and the Senate.



He created the Chair of International Currency Relations, University of Gdansk, and then he was his head in the years 1986-2007. An excellent university teacher, creator and keeper of specialization International Finance and Banking at the Department of Economics. Prof. Edmund Pietrzak was the author of innovative publications concerning the Polish market : Międzynarodowy rynek pieniężny i walutowy  (International Monetary and Financial Market, 1991, co-authored with K. Szymanski), Wymienialność złotego (Convertibility of zloty, 1996) - awarded in the contest of Bank Handlowy in Warsaw for outstanding achievements in the field of theoretical thought in the sphere of economics and finance, and Międzynarodowe operacje walutowe (International currency transactions, 1992). In 2003, through the initiative of prof. Edmund Pietrzak, there was launched a dealing room, the only in Poland, a computer lab to simulate the dealer labour. Getting the 2002 prize in the President's "Super Workshop 2002" enabled the dealing room to be equipped.
Prof. Edmund Pietrzak cooperated with national economic universities, banks and enterprises, as well as the leading foreign exchanges, including Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicago Board of Trade, Chicago Board Options Exchange, Philadelphia Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange. He was also the visiting professor at the Graduate School of Business (University of Chicago) and the Wharton School of Finance (University of Pennsylvania).
Member of the Committee of Economic Sciences in Polish Academy of Sciences. In 1992-1997 a member of the Scientific Council of the President of the Polish National Bank. In 2002-2005, economic advisor to the President. A member of the Supervisory Board PTE "Home" SA and a member of the Supervisory Board of the Warsaw Stock Exchange in 2004-2006. Prof. Edmund Pietrzak died in 2007.
The great proponent of intellect and personal development, authority for many generations of students, reliable promoter of talented young people. Thinker and dreamer.