6th “eDUAL” - Dual Education Conference was held at the Silesian University of Technology
How to combine studies with gaining practical experience in the industry? This was the subject of the discussion during the two-day conference "eDUAL” - Dual Education, held at the Silesian University of Technology. It’s been 6 years now since the Silesian University of Technology, as the first university in Poland, launched dual studies conducted together with employers, where the students are employed.
- This is the sixth edition of the conference dedicated to dual education, which we have been conducting since 2016. We started dual studies in cooperation with Katowice Special Economic Zone and I think that we will continue to develop this form of education, which is not only interesting but above all, gives new competencies to our university graduates - said the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Professor Arkadiusz Mężyk.
Dual studies constitute a form of education where students attend classes in lecture halls, and at the same time, have internships in companies. At our university, more than 200 students have already decided to take up this form of education. – There is a specific recruitment process. It begins with a meeting of candidates with representatives of future employers who offer internships, or the possibility of employment during the studies. Then, the recruitment at the university is conducted. This provides an opportunity to implement studies in direct contact with industry, basically from the first days of education at the university - adds the Rector.
Dual studies at the Silesian University of Technology are offered in the fields of mechanical engineering and railway transport. The university also plans to launch such studies in the fields of mechatronics, automatic control and industrial informatics, as well as logistics.
The President of the Katowice Special Economic Zone, which has been cooperating with the Silesian University of Technology in the process of establishing the dual-degree programmes, emphasized the numerous benefits for business.
- Today, dual education is a standard. A modern investor seeks not only attractive areas but also well prepared specialists, who are also educated in dual studies. EDUAL tailors education to the needs of specific companies. The 6-year experience shows that it works. Well educated students stay with us, in companies in Silesia, they don't have to leave, they have secure and good jobs here - stresses Janusz Michałek PhD, The President of Katowice Special Economic Zone.
Natalia Mora is a third year student of dual studies. She studies mechanical engineering.
- Dual studies allow us to combine knowledge gained at the university with practice, which we gain during internships in companies of our choice, which is an advantage in the labour market. While in the 6th semester, I know that I would never change these studies for any other form- says the student.
During their studies, students have the opportunity to do several hundred hours of practical training. Kacper Kalemba also studies mechanical engineering in the dual studies system at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.
- I was placed as an intern with a leading company in Łódź Voivodeship which produces trailers, bodies and tippers. I could test my knowledge in various departments of the company, e.g. construction or welding - explains Kacper Kalemba, a student from Wieluń.
Dual studies are not only an advantage for students, who gain experience, for industry, which gains qualified personnel, but it is also an advantage for the university itself.
- A technical university without industry does not exist. We are very fortunate to be located in Silesia, in the heart of the Polish industry that we closely cooperate with. Due to dual studies, the university has gained several dozen of new industrial partners, who also cooperate with us in other fields. New ideas for projects or joint works are emerging. Thanks to this our cooperation with the industry is expanding.- says Professor Anna Timofiejczuk PhD, DSc.
Dual studies are appreciated not only by entrepreneurs but also by local self-government representatives. It is crucial for them to keep young people and give them employment prospects in the region.
- We, as politicians, have to create good conditions for business development, which in turn will develop our cities. If we add science to this, we have the so-called golden triangle, which treats about the symbiosis of three important areas for development - science, business and self-government. It is good that the Silesian University of Technology has its branch in Katowice as well. We can be proud of it because well-educated people are in high demand, said Marcin Krupa, the Mayor of Katowice.
- I believe that dual studies should be applied everywhere. It is beneficial for students who apart from gaining theoretical knowledge, have also an internship in companies. When thinking about my days at university it was different. Students then, full of theoretical knowledge, would go straight to a workplace and only then would they learn a profession. Dual studies have the advantage that they teach both theory and practice at the same time. Therefore, great appreciation for the Silesian University of Technology, that such studies are implemented to an increasing extent - summed up the Mayor of Gliwice, Adam Neumannn.
The conference "eDUAL - dual education" at the Silesian University of Technology is held for the 6th time. The participants have a discussion on the forms and effects of dual education and the arising challenges.
