Page 9 - Rižnar, Igor, and Klemen Kavčič (ed.). 2017. Connecting Higher Education Institutions with Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 9
Preface
Igor Rižnar
University of Primorska
igor.riznar@fm-kp.si
Klemen Kavčič
University of Primorska
klemen.kavcic@fm-kp.si
This is a second monograph on the complex topic of collaboration be-
tween higher education institutions and small and medium-sized en-
terprises edited by Igor Rižnar and Klemen Kavčič from the University
of Primorska, Faculty of Managament.
In the monograph, one of our intentions is not to use big words or
pompous bluff, because it restricts, rather than aids, our understand-
ing. The increase in the number of students, professors and higher ed-
ucation institutions does not, it seems, bring an increase in quality re-
search that would encourage the collaboration between universities and
industries. The ever-narrower academic specialization with its niche vo-
cabularies seem not to contribute enough to establishing mutual under-
standing between the worlds of higher education and businesses.
The aim of this monograph is to foster, enhance, encourage and main-
tain a productive dialogue between universities and businesses. Col-
laboration between universities and businesses is necessary for skills
development (education and training), the generation, acquisition and
adoption of knowledge and for the promotion of entrepreneurship as
well as for expanding the relevance of research carried out at hei.
We believe that companies lacking close relationship with the aca-
demic community are likely to advance slower. On the other hand, uni-
versities not offering state-of-the-art lectures, valuable knowledge and
groundbreaking methodologies and who do not implement research
in the real world are most likely to lose their customers. In addition,
universities have an important role in helping students understand
the opportunities that are available in the business sector or in self-
employment.
sme s – companies with up to 250 employees – account for a signif-
icant amount of European (and Slovenian) economic activity, thus it
is vital that universities understand motivations and modus operandi
7
Igor Rižnar
University of Primorska
igor.riznar@fm-kp.si
Klemen Kavčič
University of Primorska
klemen.kavcic@fm-kp.si
This is a second monograph on the complex topic of collaboration be-
tween higher education institutions and small and medium-sized en-
terprises edited by Igor Rižnar and Klemen Kavčič from the University
of Primorska, Faculty of Managament.
In the monograph, one of our intentions is not to use big words or
pompous bluff, because it restricts, rather than aids, our understand-
ing. The increase in the number of students, professors and higher ed-
ucation institutions does not, it seems, bring an increase in quality re-
search that would encourage the collaboration between universities and
industries. The ever-narrower academic specialization with its niche vo-
cabularies seem not to contribute enough to establishing mutual under-
standing between the worlds of higher education and businesses.
The aim of this monograph is to foster, enhance, encourage and main-
tain a productive dialogue between universities and businesses. Col-
laboration between universities and businesses is necessary for skills
development (education and training), the generation, acquisition and
adoption of knowledge and for the promotion of entrepreneurship as
well as for expanding the relevance of research carried out at hei.
We believe that companies lacking close relationship with the aca-
demic community are likely to advance slower. On the other hand, uni-
versities not offering state-of-the-art lectures, valuable knowledge and
groundbreaking methodologies and who do not implement research
in the real world are most likely to lose their customers. In addition,
universities have an important role in helping students understand
the opportunities that are available in the business sector or in self-
employment.
sme s – companies with up to 250 employees – account for a signif-
icant amount of European (and Slovenian) economic activity, thus it
is vital that universities understand motivations and modus operandi
7
