The aim of this partnership is to connect academia with self-governing regions, to improve education or to support research and innovation in public administration. This partnership will allow students to apply their knowledge directly in practice and bring opportunities for the development of the regions.
By signing the partnership, both institutions commit to link the theoretical knowledge acquired on campus with applied practice, thus contributing to more efficient functioning of local governments. The Memorandum covers a wide range of areas including regional development, finance, social affairs, tourism, education and management.
"Cooperation with the Self-Governing Regions of Slovakia (SK8) opens up new opportunities for us to bring students closer to the real challenges faced by self-governing regions. I believe that it is the practice and experience from the real environment that will help our students to develop important skills that they will use in solving social challenges of the future," said Katarína Slobodová Nováková, Rector of UCM.
The main forms of cooperation will be joint research projects, student final and rigorous theses on regional topics, internships for UCM students and PhD students within SK8 and its member regions, as well as the possibility of active involvement of SK8 experts in the pedagogical process at the university or the organisation of joint professional and scientific events.
Jozef Viskupič, President of SK8, added: "We are proud to be part of an education that strives to deliver real skills and solutions. The partnership with UCM has the potential to contribute to higher student employability in public administration in Slovakia, while allowing our regions to have access to the latest knowledge and innovative approaches."
The Memorandum builds on joint activities implemented so far, such as the Public Administration Olympiad for high school students, joint project applications and the creation of a new UCM study programme focused on management and marketing in public administration.
