Transit economy market challenge and university respond

Abstract

In an ever-changing labour market, university tries to make efforts to estimate the free labour market demands for university graduates. The strength of Engineering Education lies in the range and depth of fundamental knowledge the students acquire during their studies, but the abilities like: taking risk, taking initiative, teamwork, communication and conflict management, are not taught. Universities provide organisational means searching new methods of collaboration with partners in economy. More wide collaboration may provide, with a very important feedback information, help to respond to the demands of employers and change or development of study programmes, as well as teaching and learning strategies. National and multinational enterprises and companies are invited to organise information days, exhibitions at University and thus attract the most talented graduates to these institutions. In such meetings university staff and students together have a direct feedback information. Employers' requirements to possess not only fundamental knowledge but multicultural qualifications, competencies in social, economical and ecological questions are more convincing, than bare university discussions. Continuous feedback questionnaires are distributed among the Bachelor's and Master's degree final year students, graduates after one year placement and employers, and the survey is made. 'Hot-line' system with employers' organizations, regional, national and virtual labour exchanges is implemented. Results of feedback are regularly discussed in the committees of different level, and measures for developing teaching and learning quality are approved.