Speaker
Description
There is a pressing need to reassess, innovate and improve educational frameworks to prepare a future-ready workforce reflecting on the escalating global challenges. In pris contribution, we examine the pivotal role of industry-academia partnerships in fostering innovation in cross-border areas in the EU, focusing on initiatives designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to address multiple emerging socio-economic and environmental issues. Drawing from the Twin City Future Innovation Manufacturing Hub project (supported by Interreg Slovakia-Austria), a collaborative endeavor between Slovakia and Austria, this study explores how joint efforts between educational institutions and industries can lead to the development of innovative educational programs aiming to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application and ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to contribute effectively in their professional fields. We delve into the design and implementation of educational initiatives in Vienna-Bratislava cross-border area that integrate cutting-edge technologies and pedagogical approaches on elementary, high school, university and lifelong level. Besides highlighting best practices, we identify key factors that contribute to successful collaboration between academic institutions and industry partners. Furthermore, the contribution addresses the challenges encountered in aligning diverse educational systems and industry expectations across borders. It proposes strategies to overcome these obstacles, emphasizing the importance of adaptable curricula, continuous engagement of stakeholders and related parties and the cultivation of a culture that values innovation and lifelong learning. In this contribution, we aim to contribute to the discourse on planning education by providing empirical evidence and practical insights into how industry-academia partnerships can serve as catalysts for educational transformation as part of industry 4.0 transformation and just green transformation. We underscore the necessity for educational programs to evolve in response to global challenges, advocating for collaborative approaches that transcend national boundaries and disciplinary silos.
| Keywords | Educational innovation; Cross-border collaboration; Industry-academia partnerships; spatial planning |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
