STU L&T Forum Discusses Challenges Facing Technical Education and Innovation

Bratislava, 27 March (TASR) - Systematic support for high-quality, modern technical and science education, research and innovation is essential if Slovakia aspires to be a modern, technology- and innovation-oriented country, attendees were told at the STU Learning & Teaching (L&T) Forum organised at the Faculty of Civil Engineering by the Slovak University of Technology (STU) in Bratislavaon on Thursday (26 March). Education, Research, Development and Youth Minister Tomas Drucker (Voice-SD) was among those attending the event, STU spokesperson Juraj Rybansky told TASR on Friday. According to data analysed by STU experts, Slovakia currently has the lowest number of students in its history. Over the past decade, the total number of university students has fallen by approximately half, as has the number of graduates in technical fields. Between 2025-2035, approximately 18,000 new jobs for college-educated technicians will be created annually in Slovakia, but there will be only about 9,500 domestic graduates in technical fields each year. "By 2035, Slovakia could face a cumulative shortage of approximately 74,000 technically qualified people, which could have devastating consequences for our economy," stated STU rector Maximilian Stremy, adding that this could result in a shortfall of up to 0.9 percent of gross domestic product (approximately €1.3 billion) by 2030 and a permanent loss of prosperity. "STU is therefore responding by strengthening its ties with secondary schools and the professional world, as well as by modernising its study programmes so that graduates can better meet the needs of industry. The university also aims to be a driving force behind adult retraining in the era of digitisation and AI," added Stremy. STU, the Technical University of Kosice (TUKE) and other technical universities are therefore calling for systemic changes in education starting from primary and secondary schools so that technology doesn't deter but attract young people. "The initiative by Slovak technical universities to engage in effective dialogue with government representatives and employers is a response to the looming shortage of thousands of experts and the associated losses to the Slovak economy, which we can only prevent through deep synergy, systematic support and the management of excellent research and modern education," said TUKE rector Peter Mesaros. The education minister responded by saying that he senses energy and vision from the leadership of technical and other universities, and that he'll do everything to support them, because only stability and determination have a chance to advance Slovak education, lift Slovakia out of mediocrity and make it a centre of excellence in certain fields, such as nuclear energy, quantum technologies and chips. am/df