The Karol Godula Upper Silesian Academy of Entrepreneurship (USAE) in Chorzów was established in 1999. On 5 March Minister of Education allowed USAE, with its seat in Chorzów, to start higher studies. The school was registered with number 25 in the register of higher schools of Ministry of Education.

The source of origin of USAE is rooted in the culture of Upper Silesia with its industrial traditions, professionalism and practicality of the inhabitants of the region. A very important part of the culture is tradition of autonomy and social self-organization. Nowadays, the origin of USAE can be found in processes of regional economy restructurization and establishing teritorial self-governments. USAE was founded, in certain measure, as the answer to challenges which Silesian enterprises and local communities should meet.

Entrepreneurship development and effective self-governing are bound to lead to establishing new firms and places of work. They demand a good quality shape of new generation of human capital. Upper Silesia needs development of small and medium-sized entrepreneurship and, at the same time, effective management of local and regional development.

USAE came into being under the curricular and teaching staff auspices of University of Economics in Katowice. The patronage was certified in the agreement concluded in Deccember 1999. On the strength of this agreement Katowice Alma Mater guarantees programmes accreditation and a high quality of education and guarantees USAE's graduates MSc studies continuation. Since the beginning USAE, seat in Chorzów, is favoured with support and patronage from municipal authorities of the city of Chorzów. Thanks to this support and multiple help didactic infrastructure of the academy is systematically improved.