EN
The article discusses the issue of graduates as external stakeholders of the higher education institutions (HEIs) in Poland. The main aim is to answer the question about the way HEIs perceive relations with graduates. The author discusses this problem by analyzing legal and formal regulations, the literature and the results of her own research on qualitative analysis of the content of HEIs' missions and development strategies, and also the results of survey directed to rectors of HEIs. The analysis of HEIs` missions and strategies shows that the importance of HEIs' relations with graduates is articulated in a distinctive and positive way. However, the survey results indicate that not all rectors perceive their graduates as stakeholders, thus not fully recognize its importance and the opportunities arising for HEI from this cooperation.