Activities of the University of Zilina in Lifelong Learning in the Region of North-West Slovakia and Beyond UNIVERSITIES AND LIFEL0NG LEARNING BRDO, 10

Activities of the University of Zilina in Lifelong Learning in the Region of

North-West Slovakia and Beyond

UNIVERSITIES AND LIFEL0NG LEARNING

BRDO, 10 – 11 MARCH 2008

Michal PokornyUNIVERSITY OF ZILINA

(Sk)

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Contents1. Introduction2. Possibilities of the university in

providing LLL3. LLL activities of the University of Zilina

orientated towards the environment outside the University

4. Examples of LLL activities5. Conclusion

Universities and Lifelong Learning, Brdo, 10 – 11 March 2008

• Map

• 80 000 inhabitants

• Regional centre (1.2 mil. inhabitants)

• Transportation junction

• Industry

• Pictures

City of Zilina


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University of Zilina• Established in 1953• 12 500 students• 670 teaching staff• 7 faculties• 7 institutes

• Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications

• Faculty of Mechanical Engineering• Faculty of Electrical Engineering• Faculty of Civil Engineering• Faculty of Management Science & Informatics• Faculty of Natural Science• Faculty of Special Engineering


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• Subsystems of LLL are isolated, providers have different standards.

• Educational institutions (most likely universities) undergo frequent changes.

• Structure and content of formal education do not always meet the requirements of a knowledge-based society.

• Quality, system of verification and recognition of results in programmes of LL education are often problematic.

Basic issues in LLL

Slovakia is making efforts based on the approved Strategy of lifelong learning and lifelong counselling to create an open system of LLL meeting the needs of the labour market.


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2. Possibilities of the university in providing LLL

Units of the University of Zilina providing LLL • Institute of lifelong education.• Department of education of the University. • Individual faculties, departments and institutes

of the University.

In most cases: cooperation (+ external organizations and lecturers).

Methods of teaching and learning in LLL: face-to-face methods (lectures, seminars, excursions) - frequently supported by trainings (“learning by doing”). A distant learning is preferred for longer-range educational programmes, recently focused mostly on various methods of e-learning.


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Age groups in LLL • Children of preschool age, primary and

secondary school students; examples courses of English for children aged 4-6; “Children’s University”, for children aged 8-13; project where secondary school students aged 17-

19 participate in research tasks suitable to their age and achieved knowledge.


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Age groups in LLL (cont.)

• Students of the University; examples:

• Citizens at working age; 2 main target groups:

• Seniors – the University of the Third Age.

supplementary pedagogical course; a wide offer of language courses.

teachers and other employees of the University; individuals and companies outside the University.


3. LLL activities of the University of Zilina orientated towards the environment outside the University• Focused on active working population. • Supporting employment increase (incl. activities

for unemployed people who may need extra help in finding job).

• Supporting industrial companies in their search for a qualified work force.

The University makes efforts in: • reacting to the requirements of the state and

local administration bodies;• organizing educational activities for various

companies;• creating and offering own educational activities

for public & companies. Universities and Lifelong Learning, Brdo, 10 – 11 March 2008

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Examples of the LLL activities of the University

• BSc. and MSc. degree education for employees of major companies acredited study programmes; participants were enrolled through standard

admission process; advantages for participants, employers and for the

University.

• Control of tunnel operations

rapid development in motorway construction in Slovakia;

dedicated to various professionally specialized groups participating in the construction, operation, maintenance and control of tunnels;

mainly distant learning.


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Examples (cont.)

• Education of forensic experts Institute of Forensic Engineering of the University of

Zilina; regular training and examination of forensic experts

from the whole Slovakia; areas: transport, mechanical engineering, electrical

technology, civil engineering, corporate management, electronic communications;

500 to 700 participants a year.

• Activities in civil aviation Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and

Communications in cooperation with Aviation Training and Educational Centre of the University of Zilina;

equipment: devices for flight control operations, flight simulator and aircrafts;

2007: 750 participants.


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Some more examples • education in banking (2-year course);• management of small and medium businesses;• quality in land transportation;• excellence of territory (education of state

administration employees);• higher studies in control of global logistics;• modern administration;• specialized education for state services

employees;• registry and filing services;• production and transmission of electricity;• logistics of air and water transport;• basic computer skills;• administration of computer systems;• etc.


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4. Conclusion• Activities of the university teachers in LLL are

derived from their work in university teaching and research.

• LLL requires: precise preparation, use of appropriate educational forms and methods, didactical and ICT tools.

• Cooperation with outer companies is a must.• Innovations are the key factor.• Positive influence LLL University.• University of Zilina in 2007: 5 100 participants in

LLL courses & programmes.

Documents

Activities of the University of Zilina in Lifelong Learning in the Region of North-West Slovakia and Beyond UNIVERSITIES AND LIFEL0NG LEARNING BRDO, 10