In response to numerous criticisms that the education system, especially higher education, does not meet the demands of the labor market, Sveučilište u Zagrebu has decided to introduce a new education concept and improve study programs. Since the initiative itself came from the engineering side, given the enormous need for quality technology transfer from the academic community to the economy, the newly presented innovative educational concept CDIO (Concieve, Design, Implement, Operate) aims to educate students to become good engineers, acquire essential ‘soft’ skills, and be ready to enter the labor market.
As explained by Stjepan Lakušić, the rector of the University of Zagreb, on one hand, their vision was to observe what other European universities are doing regarding the improvement of their studies, while on the other hand, they focused on the strengths that the University of Zagreb already possesses.
– We want to show what the University of Zagreb is doing for the development of study programs in relation to Europe and the world. Sometimes it is good to have a slower pace, but to be on the right path. In this way, we will create an environment in which our graduates can be employed and give their best. We all want to change society, but we can change it through knowledge, and that is what the academic community is responsible for. It is important to place experts on the labor market so that they are immediately useful to our economy. This is something that is created through such an initiative – emphasized Lakušić.
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By implementing CDIO, the curriculum will be reformed, better pedagogy and assessment schemes will be developed to monitor student progress, and infrastructure will be established to enable new meetings, working, and educational spaces. CDIO is a global community where concepts are developed and experiences shared, consisting of 214 universities, including, for example, Umeå University in Sweden, Turku University of Applied Sciences in Finland, The Hague University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The University of Zagreb is the only one in this part of Europe that will integrate CDIO into its unique concept.
Combining theory and practice
Collaboration between the academic community, the economy, and the public sector is essential to make any progress in society, emphasized Gordan Kolak, CEO of Končar, one of the 12 companies and institutions members of the Economic Council of the University of Zagreb.
– The path from idea to concrete implementation in practice and achieving economic benefits from a product is extremely complex, and none of these components can achieve it alone. This is an exceptional step forward for the University of Zagreb, but also for the economy, to create conditions for the improvement of economies through the enhancement of education. CDIO is not just a tool for modernization, but a key platform for connecting the academic community with the economy, especially in technology transfer – said Kolak, highlighting Končar’s good cooperation with Zagreb faculties such as FER and FSB.
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– Understanding the market is what the economy has and can help all faculties understand how to approach students and what knowledge to provide them – added Kolak.
Presenting the details of the new innovative concept and successful examples from other universities that have implemented it, professors Juha Kontio from Turku University of Applied Sciences and Reidar Lyng from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology emphasized that CDIO can and should be adapted to each university. Among other things, they highlighted the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders in the entire process and the creation of a community.
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Willingness to change
Through CDIO, the strategic goals of each university, including Zagreb’s, are respected, and it is applicable in various environments, noted Tomislav Josip Mlinarić, Vice-Rector for Innovation, Technology Transfer, and Cooperation with the Economy at the University of Zagreb. As Mlinarić emphasized, the biggest change this initiative brings concerns the change of paradigm and the way of thinking of students and teachers. For example, it will no longer be possible for professors to teach from the same book for 20 years; they will also have to learn continuously.
– We must accept that market challenges are dynamic and we must respond quickly to them. Knowledge and competencies require teachers to continuously improve. This global initiative has shown that this is possible, so let us look to the best – Mlinarić stated, adding that huge funds will be invested in this project.
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We must be ready to respond quickly to new developments such as artificial intelligence, added Marko Remenar, CEO of Adris Group, also a member of the Economic Council, explaining that many jobs will be automated very quickly.
– Those who want to think, are willing to learn, and see it not as a burden but as a joy will survive – said Remenar at the round table that followed the presentation of the innovative educational concept.
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Emphasis on soft skills
Remenar rated the new initiative as excellent, emphasizing that such a thing has been lacking in Croatia.
– There has been a lack of knowledge, will, and competencies, and we are exposed to foreign markets and must run forward; we cannot wait. In the economy, we always feel that we are lagging behind – explained Remenar, who feels that today too little emphasis is placed on learning social skills.
These ‘soft’ skills are actually hard skills today because they are difficult to acquire, emphasized professor Lyng at the panel.
And besides what universities can offer the economy, we should also ask what the economy can do for universities, because ‘we all came from some schools and universities,’ noted Stjepan Roglić, Vice President of the Supervisory Board of the Orbico Group, another member of the Economic Council of the University of Zagreb.
However, as Ante Jukić, Dean of the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology in Zagreb and President of the Commission for Innovation, Technology Transfer, and Cooperation with the Economy added, to encourage teachers to apply this model, these principles should be among the conditions for their advancement. He also added that students need to be mature enough and aware of the time constraints of an industry that is struggling with competition.
– In collaboration with the industry, we can create better programs and thus fulfill the purpose of providing society with greater value – concluded Jukić.
All panel participants agreed that it is good that this initiative starts precisely from engineers, as they are pragmatic and think about solutions.
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