380 cooperation proposals - Practice for universities, solutions for companies 5.0

The project Practice for universities, solutions for companies, which connects the academic community with practice, contributes to the growth of higher-added-value investments. At the same time, it proactively responds to the challenges faced by businesses in Slovakia in the development of innovative businesses, and the transition to a knowledge-based economy while reflecting the conditions of Industry 4.0.

For several years, this project of the SARIO agency has been bringing universities the opportunity to improve the quality of the education provided by direct connection with practice, students the opportunity to gain practical experience, get in touch with potential employers, companies the opportunity to nurture new talents and use the universities' research and development capacities to solve their practical tasks.

In mid-March, a cooperation event was held in Banská Bystrica as part of the 5th year of the project Practice for universities, solutions for companies. Almost 240 participants completed 300 negotiations during the day, while more than 380 proposals for cooperation in total were collected in the fifth year.

Forms of cooperation:

• proposal of topics for bachelor's, diploma, and dissertation theses based on assignments from practice

• involvement in teaching subjects at universities, case studies

• internship offers for students

• selecting areas for the creation of joint research and development projects

Three hundred pre-planned negotiations were preceded by a block of presentations, discussions, and case studies on attractive topics: protection of intellectual property, National strategy for research, development, and innovation of the Recovery Plan, support of visionary entrepreneurs, support of innovation for businesses, academic and research workplaces, research cooperation of companies with universities and technology transfer, education and commercialization of research, experience with the cooperation of the private sector with a research institution, super deduction - financing of innovations, etc.

The Banská Bystrica event was attended by almost 100 representatives from 79 companies, 77 researchers from 43 scientific and research institutions, representatives of BBSK, CVTI, VAIA, RC BB MIRRI SR, SAKVA, and SAIA, doctoral students and representatives of student parliaments. All those present evaluated the participation in the project Practice for universities, solutions for companies as well as the cooperation day itself very positively, and many plans to participate in the next years as well.


Patrik Paul, CEO and co-founder of KINAZO DESIGN:
"Participation in the conference Practice for universities, and solutions for companies brought KINAZO DESIGN not only much helpful information but also interesting contacts, which we turned into the development of new activities and opportunities. We expanded our knowledge of European structures in science and education support by connecting to real research and development in companies. Active support of connecting education with practice creates a lively environment for the emergence of innovations and is the only way to maintain and increase the competitiveness of not only our country but the entire European region in the world. We will be happy to participate the next year as well."