EN
In the process of globalization, which is directly connected with scientific and technological progress, human capital receives special significance. Education, especially higher education, has the most important meaning as a factor leading to the improvement of the intellectual potential of societies. Educated, entrepreneurial society, which can easier be found in the new reality, is the foundation of the functioning of the global economy and raising the competitiveness of individual regions and countries The article discusses the functioning of the Bielsko-Biala academic center in the conditions of the globalization. It presents changes in the educational potential of the center in the years 1969–2009. Particular attention was paid to changes in the educational structure of the Bielsko- Biala academic center and its adaptation to the conditions of modern economy. In addition, the range of influence of the Bielsko-Biala academic center was defined based on the permanent residence of the students in the academic year 2008/2009 The results of this study assess the impact of globalization on the functioning of the academic centers, as well as the role of the Bielsko-Biala academic center in the development of human capital in local conditions