The Ministry of Science and Education (MZO) has secured 100 million kuna for the reform of existing or the creation of new study programs and lifelong learning programs in accordance with the methodology of the Croatian Qualifications Framework (HKO) for jobs of the IV industrial revolution, emphasized the Minister of Science and Education Blaženka Divjak on Wednesday.
Minister Divjak and State Secretary Branka Ramljak presented on Wednesday at a press conference in the multimedia hall of the MZO the public call for project proposals “Implementation of the Croatian Qualifications Framework at the level of higher education” worth 100 million kuna. For this process of improving the quality of the education system and stronger connection of education with the needs of the labor market, the European Social Fund (ESF) has provided 85 percent of the funds, while national co-financing is 15 percent.
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65 percent of first graders will work in jobs that we do not even know exist today
Speaking about the importance of these project proposals “for jobs of the IV industrial revolution”, Minister Divjak mentioned that, according to estimates from the European Commission, as many as 65 percent of children who are now starting primary education will work in jobs that do not currently exist, and it is estimated that in the future, 90 percent of jobs will require at least some level of digital literacy.
She explained how the flow of information from employers to study programs, taking into account all the research that gives us ‘input’ into what will be required in the labor market in the future, is the content of these projects and programs for which 100 million kuna is allocated, adding that they are also connected with relevant higher education as one of the four stated goals of the MZO.
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The Minister emphasized that the annual report of the European Commission on the implementation of reforms in the Republic of Croatia specifically calls for Croatia to develop mechanisms that will enable the alignment of labor market needs and higher education, i.e., study programs and skills developed in higher education.
Divjak reminded that a study conducted last year globally in 137 countries on the connection between higher education and the needs of employers showed that Croatia ranks 112th, indicating that our employers perceive that Croatian higher education is not aligned with the competencies required in the labor market. In addition, she added, the report emphasizes an important fact, which is also known to us, that about one-third of all students in Croatia who enroll in higher education institutions enroll in programs of economics and law, which, she assessed, also creates a certain imbalance in the labor market.
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In response to a journalist’s question about what the labor market needs will be in the future, the Minister replied that they are currently visible at the Croatian Employment Service, but that in the long term, it can be said that they are jobs in the STEM field.
Higher education institutions can apply for one project and be partners on multiple projects
State Secretary Branka Ramljak explained that higher education institutions can apply for one project in the public call but can be partners on multiple projects. Projects will be financed in amounts from one million kuna to four million kuna, and will last from two to three years.
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She testified that systematic work has been done on this valuable competition for about a year and a half, and assessed that the ministry is fulfilling its role by ensuring the simplest and most efficient legislation for the entire educational vertical, as well as project financing.
Ramljak called on higher education institutions to contribute with their projects to aligning with the needs of the labor market, which, she reminded, is part of the national reform program adopted by the Croatian Government. She also called on employers to, given that we are actually at the bottom compared to European countries in terms of the alignment of study programs with labor market needs, in synergy with higher education institutions, bring new learning outcomes that will enable students to be competitive in the labor market at the end of their education.
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She reported that the public call will be open until June 4 of this year, and information days will be held at higher education institutions in Split, Osijek, Rijeka, and Zagreb.
Stephen Hawking was an inspiration to many, he broke the barriers of the given
The Minister also reflected on the news of the death of the prominent British scientist physicist Stephen Hawking, for whom, she emphasized, “we can say he is the Newton and Einstein of today, and if we wanted to express that in Croatian terms, he is certainly Ruđer Bošković of today.”
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“In addition to many scientific discoveries, creative and innovative insights into the understanding and origin of the universe that Hawking gave to the world, his life, as a person with a severe disability, showed how someone in given challenging life circumstances and adversities is not only a top scientist but has also been an inspiration to other scientists and students who wish to continue or develop their scientific careers,” said Divjak.
The Minister emphasized that it is personally important to her and her associates to enable students and pupils to gain insight into the work and life of scientists like Hawking who manage to break the barriers of everyday life.
