Business

By using this questionnaire, you can check your current state regarding:

The situations in the tables below are combined into the following sections:
  1. Awareness about the competencies and knowledge of graduates from different study programmes;
  2. Missing knowledge/competencies of graduates;
  3. Apart from the in-depth knowledge in the field of study, which competencies/skills are the most important for your company
  4. Types of collaboration with higher education institutions;
  5. Organization of the internship; and
  6. Incentives for collaboration between HEIs and the business.
The described situations can give you an idea of what type of activities are possible, so you can identify the statement in the empty column as: When answering, think also about the system level of the situation: A tick in a box means “YES” (i.e. a given statement describes your current situation or goal, or it is not applicable to you). At the end, you can print out the questionnaire by selected topic; for example, only by your goals, or by the current state (SA), or by the current state (BPE), etc.


1. Awareness about the competencies and knowledge of graduates from different study programmes

  SA   BPE     Goal   Not applicable 
The knowledge and competencies of graduates are revealed during the trial period of employment.
The knowledge and competencies of graduates are revealed during the studies (internship, the supervision of final theses, etc.).
The company “tests” graduates/students from different study fields in order to discern which study programmes provide relevant competencies and knowledge for their type of work.
The company is involved in the development of (new and existing) study programmes.
The company has employed several graduates from the regional HEI and finds their knowledge and competencies suitable for the development of the company.
The company employs students on a merit base (i.e. the academic success counts).
The company employs graduates who proved themselves the most at the internship.
A system that enables systematic and regular feedback from the company to the HEIs regarding graduate competencies is established.

2. Missing knowledge/competencies of graduates

(When answering keep in mind the level of graduates)		  SA   BPE     Goal   Not applicable 
Graduates lack the basic theoretical knowledge and understanding.
Graduates lack new knowledge required for the development.
Graduates lack knowledge on project management.
Graduates lack language skills (both mother tongue and foreign languages).
Graduates lack presentation skills.
Graduates have proper theoretical and practical knowledge; however, the company would like to give them specific knowledge required for the work in the company within the study period.

3. Apart from the in-depth knowledge in the field of study, which competences are the most important for your company?

  SA   BPE     Goal   Not applicable 
Adaptability.
Ability of team work.
Ability to take initiatives.
Ability of fast learning.
Communication skills.
Intercultural competencies.
Analytic and problem solving skills.
Ability to work under pressure.

4. Types of collaboration with higher education institutions

  SA   BPE     Goal   Not applicable 
Internships.
Experts from business lecture within specific courses.
(Co-)supervision of final theses at all study levels.
Joint research projects.
Joint development projects.
Involvement in the development of study programmes (existing and new).
Patent applications.
Career days.
Career centres.
Specially appointed coordination centres.
Laboratories sponsored to do applicable research.
Sponsored student competitions.
Sharing laboratory/research equipment.
Researchers from HEIs are performing research in/for the company.
Students are involved in the development/research projects in/for the company.

5. Organization of the internship

 SA   BPE     Goal   Not applicable 
Internship is a formalized cooperation between HEIs and the company (by long-term agreements).
There is a formalized regular feedback system to let the HEIs know how their students perform during internship.
The company has an option to send back/refuse/fail a student who does not meet the knowledge standards required for the internship, etc. (a selection system equivalent to exams at HEIs).
The company has trained supervisors for students.
Trained supervisors are a formal requirement for a company to enter the system of internship for students.
The company educates its own internship supervisors.
Internship supervisors are educated by the Chamber of Commerce.
There is an ongoing collaboration between supervisors and HEIs teaching staff in order to connect the theory with practice, and to monitor and develop the system of collaboration to be quicker and more efficient.
Supervisors are able to help students/HEIs understand the needs of the company and to transfer to students the required skills and knowledge.
Supervisors have the needed qualification/skills and are able to cooperate in adapting the study programme accordingly.

6. Incentives for collaboration between HEIs and business

 SA   BPE     Goal   Not applicable 
The company offers financial and structural support for the mentors and supervisors involved in internships and other types of collaboration with HEIs.
There are governmental support and incentives for smaller companies to enable their collaboration with HEIs.
Collaboration between companies and HEIs in the form of internship is stimulated by tax reduction (to compensate, for example, the costs of training, certifying internal supervisors, and students for their time working in the company).