New BSc and MSc programs which support the Industries, extended to dual education system
Strength the cooperation between the engineers and the software engine
In this region there was no higher education program in the technical filed. Although there are many companies who need well educated employees.
The Hungarian average salary is low, but it is increasing, considering the last some years. This speed-it-up the automatization – which increase the need of higher knowledge employees.
The industrial companies and the City of Szombethely asked the University to establish the mechanical engineering BSc program in Szombathely in 2014. This program is started at 2015 in dual system (every year at least 22 weeks practice in the companies).
From 2017, the faculty provides a Computer Science program to the students, namely software engineering BSc. In 2020, Computer Sciences MSc was created in the field Industry 4.0 (digital factory) also in dual system. Mechanical engineers can enter this program also, which provides them better personal connection between the engineers and the software engineers. This can help to speed up the digitalization in the industry.
The dual system provides extra scholarship for the students, so the students who are living in poorer conditions also have the opportunity to join higher education. The cooperation also helps to upgrade the content of the lectures.
Main stakeholders:1/ELTE-Eötvös Loránd University,2/Municipality of Szombathely 3/Students 4/Companies: Ames;Aptiv;Autoliv;BPW-Hungária;IMSConnectorSystems;IvyTechnology;MAM;Opel; RotoElzett;Schaeffler;SCHOTT;TDK;Uniriv;Ziehl-Abegg;camLine;PBN-amLAB
Resources needed
- Building, laboratories, equipment related to the education fields – 3.000.000 EUR
- Continuous support from City of Szombathely – 360.000 EUR/Year
- from the companies: scholarship and engineers who deal with the students from the companies – around 300.000 EUR/Year
- University employees – 40
Evidence of success
• students become employees - More than 90% of the student employed by partner companies
• 81% of the enrolled students applied for dual education in 2021
• the number of partner companies is constantly growing: 2015: 6, 2019: 14 and 2021: 17
• the dual education system was extended to new college (software engineers I4.0)
Difficulties encountered
Society changes and secondary education do not support the orientation of the students to the technical field.
Potential for learning or transfer
University, City and Industrial Companies together can establish the future economic growth based on triple helix model.
It is a complex system which change a lot in the last years. Now, the partners can see much better what are the short and long term efforts which need to operate the system.
Education is expensive
The delay time is 4-5 years, and it cannot be shorter.
Socially disadvantaged students can also take part in higher education - in addition to state-subsidized training, company benefits also help their livelihoods
Without dual education program the number of students applied to the university would decrease
The dual education program can compensate the corporate labour shortage – though at least with 3 years delay (in case of MSc with 5 years) but students as new employees are already familiar with the company culture, so there is no need for extra a learning period.
Tags: Business, Cooperation, Higher education
