I understand that George Soros has been a major supporter of the CEU business school / MBA program. Does anyone know if his political or social viewpoints influence the teaching at the school? He is certainly considered a kind of polarizing figure here in the US since his politics are well known.

Even though he is no longer charmain of the board, I'm sure he still has at least some influence there.

It's kind of a moot point though, isn't it? His views aren't exactly polarizing by European standards - rather, I think he's pretty mainstream in that part of the world.

The CEU is a world-class research university. I would be amazed at any limitations on academic freedom there.

I think a good comparison is the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; I am sure that Bloomberg's cousin will have an easier time applying for admission, and that Bloomberg could hold a press conference there, but I can't see it having any impact on education.

As Ezra says, his progressive-liberal views are quite unexceptional in Europe.

Are you wondering if they are going to force you to vote Democrat? Become a socialist? Communist? Redistribute your wealth? Etc.?

It's B-school man. Sure, there will be some slanting 1 way or another here or there, but it's all about making $$$ at the end of the day. Say what you want about Soros, but the dude CLEARLY knows how to make money. So, do you really want to worry that they might teach you how to make $$$ like George? hahaha

With that said, I do have a Masters level Marketing course (Texas A&M) and the book won't shut-up about the environment, social responsibility, ethics, etc. etc. I want to gouge my eyes out every time they want to make it look like corporations care so much about the environment. Clearly the authors have an agenda, but it's easy to skip the page here or there.

PS
You're not ready for a b-school, especially outside of the US, and especially at CEU, if you were seriously worried about this for 1 moment. You'll hate it there. Promise.

PPS
I'm American.

In any case, last time I looked at the CEU MBA curriculum I don't think I saw any courses covering the "corrupting socialist agenda of liberal economic thinking."

I ended up IAE - Aix, and love it here. Never really thought the CEU MBA could be overtly influenced by Soros' politics or it would not be accredited, but given his views and his money, thought it would be interesting to know more about the nature of the relationship.

I doubt that Soros has, or aims to have, any influence on how teaching is done at the CEU. It is an attempt to bring US-style education to central Europe and, in particular, to produce a free-thinking layer in Hungarian society. Take it at face value: he is a Hungarian, and wants to build capacity in society.

[Edited by Duncan on Mar 11, 2015]