EMCOSU
About the project
As stated in the latest Agenda on Modernisation of Europe's HE systems, enhancing short and long term employability potential of young people has become one of the central developmental priorities in European Higher Education Area developments.
Current major national and international mechanisms providing indications to contribute to this aim are closely related to cooperation between higher education institutions and enterprises which represents the main focus of this project which addresses three general questions:
- Which are the most relevant modes of cooperation between universities and enterprises and why?
- What are current characteristics of cooperation modes and their future developmental needs?; and
- Which are key developmental drivers and motives on cooperation on the side of universities and enterprises?
Project’s goals
The general goals of the EMCOSU project relate to surveys and projects which identify professional competencies and misalignment between formal qualifications, acquired knowledge and employers’ requirements by providing answers to the following key questions:
- What are the characteristics, particularities and developmental needs of the following modes of cooperation between HEIs and employers in partner countries and in the EU?
- How can these modes be logically systemised according to stakeholders’ particular needs, countries, study fields and sectors? What are differences and similarities in these areas?
- Which recommendations, guidelines and tools can be developed on these bases?
- What potential do identified improvements hold vis-à-vis established policy tools: credit points and HE sector-specific qualification frameworks? Which sectors and jobs in the selected partner countries and the EU have the greatest potential in the future to absorb HE graduates?
Main objective and anticipated results
- A comparative survey on the modes of cooperation between employers and HEIs in selected countries: over 600 employers and employers' organisations will be included in the valorisation survey in five EMCOSU countries and on the EU level. This report will also include the feedback evaluation of results based on a qualitative assessment of the findings among HEIs and employers.
- Analysis of results, national and integrative reports on cooperation between employers and HEIs.
- Short reports on the most relevant jobs and sectors for HE graduates in 5 EU countries and on the EU level.
- Guidelines and tools for developing cooperation between key stakeholders in higher education. This also includes pilot testing in the TUNING Network.
- Development of policy recommendations on national and on the EU level. This includes organisation of an expert workshop of TUNING networks , EU policymakers, HE institutions and enterprises.
Project partners
University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Project Coordinator: Samo Pavlin
University of Deusto, Spain
National Coordinator: Pablo Javier Beneitone
University of Groningen, The Netherlands
National Coordinator: Robert Wagenaar
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, Slovenia
National Coordinator: Mojca Osojnik
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of County Zala, Hungary
National Coordinator: Renata Fullerne Verger
Business Foundation for Education, Bulgaria
National Coordinator: Gergana Rakovska
Polish Chamber of Commerce, Poland
National Coordinator: Mieczyslaw Bak
High Council of Official Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Navigation, Spain
National Coordinator: Juan de Lucio
Project webpage
