Changes in the environment of industry may affect the expectations related to the competencies of the employees. Changes to the education system and curricula may be required. The main purpose of this research paper was to analyze the expectations of the industries related to competencies of graduates of engineering programs. The paper presents preliminary research. The survey was conducted at twenty-eight companies within the area of technical university in Poland. Based on the survey, data was collected related to the level of preparation of engineering graduates as well as the industry expectations related to the preparation of engineering graduates. This was done for the purpose of determining the gap between industry expectations and the level of preparation of the engineering graduates. Enterprises expect a wide range of competences from engineering graduates. The most important areas of competence included soft competences and practical knowledge and skills. The biggest gap between industry expectation and graduate’s preparation are the soft skills. Recommendations were suggested which would be incorporated in the engineering curriculum for the purpose of continuous quality improvement.
Purpose: The aim of this paper is to investigate the possibility of using the concept of "Partners in Education" as a solution for preparing the students to successfully enter the workforce. Design/methodology/approach: Desk Research Method and survey are used. Paper is based on Partners in Education’s documents (local non-profit organization) and results of empirical research. Findings: The study includes the review of the results of empirical research carried out in Poland, which indicated the existence of competence gaps of graduates from technical universities. The study also indicated the need to constantly monitor the competence gaps and correct the education programs on this basis. One of the tools to improve the process of updating curricula may be the practice used in the USA. Originality/value: The main goal of any system of education in any region is to prepare students to successfully enter the workforce. At the present time, the economy is changing rapidly. The educational and training needs are constantly changing. The authors pointed to a good practice used in the USA, as an example of a solution for preparing the students to successfully enter the workforce.
Purpose: The main goal of the article is to present the authors’ model of designing and implementing innovation. Design/methodology/approach: The designed model is based on extensive literature analysis. The presented model includes, among others: creative problem methods (innovation design), methods of innovation process management, project management methods (implementation of innovations). The proposed model was verified on the basis of a case study. Findings: The article describes the authors’ hybrid model for innovation process management, its assumptions and main components. The model can support management of innovation in enterprises, creates a set of guidelines and recommendations. Practical implications: The developed model aims to support enterprises in the design and implementation of innovation. A practical example makes it easier to understand the authors' ideas and their subsequent application. Originality/value: The article describes hybrid model for innovation process management. The model is relevant to management theory, such as practical value for enterprises. The model supports the course of the innovation process.
Purpose: The aim of this paper is comparison of the Curriculum of Mechanical Engineering Program in Poland and the United States. One of the institutions is The Pennsylvania State University (PSU), in the United States (USA). The other institution is Politechnika Opolska (PO), in Poland. Design/methodology/approach: Desk Research Method is used. Paper is based on Politechnika Opolska’ documents and The Pennsylvania State University’ documents. Findings: The paper addresses the similarities and differences in both curricula. It also addresses the positive and negative aspects of both curricula. The strengths and weaknesses from the perspective of the future career development of graduates is also being addressed. Both Mechanical Engineering programs are striving for excellence in preparing students for engineering jobs in industry, but the philosophy of those programs is very different. The Mechanical Engineering program at PSU is providing the student with a stronger theoretical background. Graduates from the PO program are well-trained in application-focus current industry practices. They are not going to require on-the-job training after entering industry. There are also suggestions and recommendations for both programs from the perspective of identifying the best practices. Originality/value: The article contains a comparative analysis of the curricula of the Mechanical Engineering program at The Pennsylvania State University USA and Politechnika Opolska, Poland. The comparison of the curricula was done using the most recent catalogs of both programs. The authors of the article have had experience as faculty at their respective programs. The comparative analysis was done for the purpose of identifying the best practices and subsequent follow-up. The article addresses the similarities and differences as well as the strengths and weaknesses of both programs. The article also contains suggestions and recommendations for both programs.
The chapter describes the concept of sustainable development to minimize the environmental footprint and introduces the concept of the zero-utility solar passive house. The purpouse of the chapter is presentation of sollution for small zero-utility passive houses as a method of lowering smog and protecting the environment. The different concepts of the solar passive residential dwellings are being discussed and evaluated from the perspective of lowering carbon emissions. Energy savings as a result of increasing energy efficiency are also being calculated. The chapter analyzes the procedure for selecting the photovoltaic (PV) system to power the passive house and charge an electric car. Authors calculate the environmental benefits. There were some suggestions and recommendations for industry.
The publication focuses on assessing the energy efficiency in residential and to some extent commercial applications. An energy audit is always the first step in addressing energy efficiency. The purpose of the publication is to present the benefits of using an energy audit. It explains a “do-it-yourself” procedure for an energy audit. The publication also focuses on calculating the potential energy saving by updating low-efficiency electric appliances with high-efficient alternatives. The environmental benefits of addressing the energy efficiency of households is also being discussed. An energy audit using a “do-it-yourself” procedure focuses on the economic, ecological and social impact to environment. The energy audit contributes to the implementation of the concept of sustainable development in our day by day life.
The aim of the paper is an analysis of cooperation between enterprises and universities from a business perspective in Poland and the United States (USA). The article focuses on selected determinants from a business perspective. The determinants of the enterprises and university cooperation included areas of cooperation as well as the motivations and barriers for cooperation. Extended interviews were conducted in Poland and the USA using a questionnaire as the research tool. The results of the research showed differences between the enterprises and universities cooperation in Poland and the USA.
The paper contains a comparative analysis of the competences needed to practice engineering in Poland and the United States (USA). Surveys of industries were conducted in Poland and the USA. Legal background of curricula was discussed. The surveys were done for the purpose of assessing the importance of competences as well as level of mastery those skills and attributes by engineering graduates. The results confirm differences in approach of entrepreneurs to graduates of engineering studies in Poland and the USA. In the USA entrepreneurs have higher expectations and the importance of individual competences is also different. The comparative analysis was done to identify the weaknesses in the engineering curricula and identifying the best practices.
University and business cooperation offers many benefits not only for the parties involved. It translates into innovation and competitiveness of the economy. The relationship encounters many barriers that are related to the environment (both internal and external) in which it is implemented. The aim of the article is to identify the determinants of university-business cooperation (areas of cooperation, barriers, motivations) and to point out recommendations from the perspective of scientists in Poland and the United States (USA). The experience of USA researchers can be used as a background for considerations about cooperation between universities and business in Poland, and as an example of good practices for the purpose of supporting and improving the analyzed relationships. The article focuses on selected determinants of university and business cooperation: areas of cooperation, barriers limiting it, motivations for cooperation and the possible options for its improvement (recommendations of researchers). In order to achieve the assumed goals, an individual, in-depth interview was conducted with the use of a questionnaire as the research tool. The presented results of the research showed significant differences between the models of university and business cooperation in Poland and the USA.
Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie finansowania oraz realizacji prac naukowo-badawczych w Polsce oraz USA, determinujących współpracę uczelni z przemysłem, w kontekście budowy innowacyjnej gospodarki. Zaprezentowano model finansowania oraz realizacji prac naukowo-badawczych w Polsce oraz USA, jako kraju, który przoduje w zakresie współpracy uczelni z przemysłem. Omówiono podmioty zaangażowane w proces innowacyjny w Polsce oraz USA. Wskazano źródła finansowania prac naukowo-badawczych w obu krajach. Badania przeprowadzono z wykorzystaniem metody desk research. W oparciu o przeprowadzoną analizę zaproponowano działania mające na celu zwiększenie zaangażowania uczelni w proces tworzenia innowacji w Polsce.
EN
The goal of the article was to describe the methods of financing research and development activities in Poland and United States. The funding of cooperation between academia and industry is needed for continuing development of the knowledge-based economy. The USA is one of the world leaders in the cooperation between a university and industry. The article also describes the involvement and role of all cooperating partners in creating an effective innovativeness network in the Poland and USA. The paper also includes an analysis of the financial resources available for research and development project in the USA and Poland. The article described is library research. Based on an analysis of research and development projects in both countries, the article offers some ideas for improvement in the better utilization of the potential of academic institutions to meet the research and development goals of the knowledge-based economy.
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