Pellegrini's Office to Tap into University Talent
Bratislava, February 9 (TASR) – Public authorities will collaborate with academia on a variety of projects and assignments now that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Investments and Informatisation has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the rectors of three Bratislava-based universities – Comenius University (UK), the Slovak University of Technology (STU) and the University of Economics (EUBA) – in Bratislava on Thursday.
According to Deputy Prime Minister for Investments and Informatisation Peter Pellegrini, state bodies need to ’emulate’ the approach of many businesses and work closely with academic institutions.
“We’d also be happy to hire for our office the most accomplished graduates, who would be able to try their hand at this job while still at university. But it’s not just about seeking talent and skilled people to work for the state in the future. It also involves tapping into the enormous potential afforded by our universities,” said Pellegrini.
Lecturers and students are expected to engage in projects in the realm of the informatisation of society, cybersecurity, structural funds and the legal aspects of data ownership. “We’ll set tasks for each other and, most importantly, we’ll increase our response to the problems that we’re facing in the modernisation of Slovakia at present,” said Pellegrini.
Comenius University rector Karol Micieta said life in society presents new challenges that need to be confronted every day. “We’re tapping into the great potential of universities, and we’re making this available for addressing societal challenges in a variety of ways, ranging from student collaboration all the way to the work of the foremost experts. We also offer the possibility of interlinking collaboration,” said Micieta.
STU rector Robert Redhammer also embraced Pellegrini’s initiative, noting that STU graduates are in great demand on the jobs market. He went on to point to a joint STU-UK project, covered by EU funds, on the building of research infrastructure. “There’s potential for research in Slovakia, and [Slovakia] would do itself a service by embracing it,” he said.
EUBA, according to its rector Ferdinand Dano, has the professional and scientific capabilities to prepare and carry out a variety of studies. With that in mind, it’s ready to partake in identifying and addressing problems in public administration and regional development.
Pellegrini said that collaboration is expected to be launched before the end of this academic year. Pellegrini’s office will create several internship posts, and it would be happy to have students and lecturers join the office’s working groups and attend working sessions. Pellegrini’s office also seeks to set an example for other public authorities in an effort to establish additional ties with other colleges and universities in Slovakia.
