Slovakia should make a joint decision on its future identity and direction as soon as possible. Otherwise, by 2035, we may lack up to 74 thousand technicians, and the economy is in danger of collapse. Systematic support for high-quality and modern technical and natural science education, research and innovation are essential for Slovakia to become a modern, technologically and innovation-oriented country. These ideas were also expressed at the event of the STU Learning & Teaching Forum organized by STU in Bratislava at the STU Faculty of Civil Engineering on 26 March.
The event was opened by a discussion with Tomáš Drucker, the Minister of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic, Vladimír Slezák, the Chair of the STU Administration Board, and the Siemens CEO, and the rectors of the two largest technical universities in Slovakia, Maximilián Strémy (STU) and Peter Mésároš (TUKE, the Technical University of Košice).
According to data used by STU analysts and presented by Rector Strémy, Slovakia currently records the lowest number of students ever. The total number of university students in Slovakia has decreased from 221,000 in 2010 to 134,000 in 2019, and the number of graduates in technical fields has decreased from 24,000 to 13,000 per year over the past decade.
Around 18,000 new jobs for university-educated technicians will be opened in Slovakia annually during the years 2025–2035, yet only around 9.5 thousand domestic graduates in technical fields per year will be available.
"By 2035, Slovakia may cumulatively lack approximately 74,000 technically qualified staff, which could have fatal consequences for our economy," stated the STU Rector, adding that in 2030 this could result in a shortfall of up to 0.9% of GDP (approx. € 1.3 billion) and a permanent loss of prosperity.
STU therefore responds by strengthening relations with secondary schools and practice while modernizing its study programmes, so that graduates better meet the needs of industry. The University has also ambition to be a driver of adult retraining in the era of digitization and AI, added Maximilián Strémy. STU, TUKE and other technical universities are therefore calling for systemic changes in education starting from primary and secondary schools, so that not to discourage, but attract young people.
"Slovakia is currently at a point where technological transformation, changing requirements for knowledge, skills and competences of graduates are outpacing our readiness, and therefore technical universities must become a strategic pillar in building modern education that meets current and future challenges. The initiative of Slovak technical universities to lead an effective discussion with government representatives and employers is a response to the looming deficit of thousands of experts and the related losses to the Slovak economy. Such adverse phenomena can be only prevented through deep synergy, systematic support and management of excellent research and modern education," said Peter Mésároš, the TUKE Rector, while adding that the ambition of universities is to ensure the country's innovative sovereignty, which can actively shape global competition, rather then only survive in it.
"I perceive energy and vision of the technical and other universities’ Managements, and I will do everything to support them, since only their stability and determination can advance Slovak education and shift Slovakia from the average while making it a Center of Excellence in certain fields e.g. in the core, quantum technologies or chips," said Minister Drucker. In terms of the frequently discussed financing of education, he pointed to the following paradox: while kindergartens are fee-based, education at public universities is free of charge. He reminded that universities are no longer funded based on the number of students, it is performance contracts that play an important role. He also admitted a discussion about the changes regarding a governmental order for free education of a determined number of students in particular fields according to the demands of the labour market.
Vladimír Slezák, one of the leaders of Slovak industry, mentioned the importance of the integrated education system, since currently each level of education in Slovakia is controlled by a different authority. He pointed out the changing needs of practice, which are due to digital transformation, the advent of Artificial Intelligence and the need for flexibility. Since innovation will play an important role there, the rectors agreed it would necessitate a higher level of investment in science and research. Slovakia has long belonged to the countries with the lowest investments in science and research: total R&D spending represents only 1.03% of GDP (the second lowest in the EU). Our neighbours invest significantly more (Czech Republic 1.82%, Hungary 1.38%, Austria up to 3.26% of GDP). Minister Drucker recalled that the government committed to increased spending on science, research and innovation, planning 1.02 billion for this purpose in 2028 and over 1.5 billion in 2030. He noted however that rather than governmental budget being the driving force, the private investments motivated by the state should be key in this area.
"To survive in Europe's digital and technological transformation, we must systematically build our own capacities while transforming national and European strategies into particular solutions with high added value. Universities of science and technology, as well as universities and research institutions in general, supported by systemic solutions for investments in scientific areas, must be the backbone of this ambition in interdisciplinary cooperation with industry, the private sector, and regions. It is a shared responsibility to the government that will decide on the competitiveness and knowledge sovereignty of Slovakia within the European Union," concluded Maximilián Strémy, STU Rector.
The program of the STU Learning & Teaching Forum event was followed by lectures and discussions on other current topics: Milena Reháková, STU Vice-Rector and other guests talked about the new Higher Education Act and its contribution to teaching practice; Jana Pócsová discussed specific features of Z Generation education; Gabriela Pleschová and Marek Vančo presented teacher’ work with artificial intelligence; Lenka Axlerová introduced the topic of teachers' readiness for changes.
The section of academic careers led by Vice-Rector Martin Rebroš hosted the presentations on doctoral education, delivered by foreign experts Ana-Maria Peneoasu of the European University Association and Jari Pekka Hämäläinen, former Vice-Rector of the Finnish LUT and current STU Advisor for Strategic Development and Internationalization.
Photo: Filip Izrael
