The Slovak University of Technology presented itself at the important Conference and Fair of the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE 2024) in Perth, Australia. The STU's presentation supported by the SR Ministry of Education was part of the Slovak exposition, where 14 Slovak universities presented themselves for the first time at the event on March 5-7.
STU was represented at the APAIE 2024 Conference and Fair by Ľubica Vitková, STU Vice-Rector for promotion and foreign affairs, and Natália Gurská of the Office of International Relations. STU's participation was supported by the fund received from the Internationalization project within the Recovery and Resilience Plan.
"In order to advance and increase competitiveness of the Slovak University of Technology, it is necessary to increase the level of internationalization. Participation of the University at an event of such international significance and scope can be very beneficial in this way," said Ľubica Vitková, STU Vice-Rector.
"This year, we have intensified presentation of our country and our higher education abroad. Our national stand was one of the most attractive at the Fair. I particularly enjoyed both, the form and contend presented - the stand was 'filled' with high-quality staff who promoted our higher education at the international level," stated Róbert Zsembera, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic. He added that internationalization of Slovak universities is an important part of their development, which the Ministry of Education will continue to support.
The long-term problem of Slovak competitiveness in many segments of national economy is particularly the lack of internationalization. One of the challenges of the Recovery and Resilience Plan of the Slovak Republic is "Support for the promotion of higher education projects abroad", which focuses on supporting the attraction and retention of talented students and academic staff. The aim of the Call is to make Slovakia visible as a partner in the field of higher education and a destination for foreign students and university staff.
The participation of representatives of the Ministry of Education and universities at the APAIE International Fair was a unique opportunity to establish bilateral relations with representatives of foreign universities or foreign companies, and also with representatives of various educational institutions. Altogether, more than 60 countries from all over the world exhibited at the International Fair.
The APAIE International Fair was attended by 14 Slovak universities. In addition to financial support for their participation In the fair, the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth also provided them with an exhibition area for national presentation.
Source: MŠVVaM