The University of Economics in Bratislava has signed a double-diploma agreement with the University of Coimbra in Portugal. The double diploma is intended for students in the study programme Applied Economics conducted in the Slovak and English languages at the Faculty of Economics and Finance. In addition to pursuing this double diploma programme, the faculty has also concluded double-diploma agreements with Nottingham Trent University in Great Britain, University of Pavia in Italy and joint-diploma agreement with the Faculty of Law at the University of Economics in Bratislava.
Founded in 1290, the University of Coimbra is the oldest university in Portugal. It has currently 8 faculties offering bachelor's, master's and doctoral study programmes. With more than 25,000 students, 15 percent of which are international students, the University of Coimbra is one of the most cosmopolitan Portuguese universities. The university was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013.
We have interviewed Ms. Erika Pastoráková, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Finance, about signing the double-diploma agreement.
How was the idea of concluding a double-diploma agreement with the oldest university in Portugal born?
The double diploma arrangement with the University of Coimbra in Portugal is a culmination of long-term cooperation between the Faculty of Economics and Finance and this prestigious university. Entering into the agreement was preceded by long-term collaboration of members of the Department of Economic Policy, and by research and teaching mobilities from our faculty as well as those from the partner university to the University of Economics in Bratislava. And it was these mobilities that prompted our colleagues to extend the cooperation to also include double diplomas, as both universities' study programmes in economics are compatible and we can guarantee that both incoming and outgoing students receive high quality education. Portugal is also one of the most popular student exchange destinations for our students.
What study programmes does the double diploma arrangement with the University of Coimbra apply to?
The double diploma option is intended for students at the master's level who are enrolled in the study programme Applied Economics conducted in the Slovak and English languages. At both universities students are taught how to utilise their economics knowledge in order to be able to change things for the better. They learn to take decisions based on data analysis and are guided to evaluate and subsequently use the results of such analyses to adopt decisions in business and administration.
How will the double diploma benefit students?
The double diploma brings an excellent opportunity for students to obtain an internationally recognised diploma, enhancing their career opportunities both in Slovakia and abroad. Double diplomas and foreign mobilities are an excellent instrument that allows our students to enhance their experience in an international environment, improve foreign language skills and get to know other countries and new people. Every study trip abroad provides students with invaluable experience, shaping them not only as professionals but also as persons, and opens up a plethora of new opportunities for their further career development in an international setting.
Are you planning to conclude some other double- or joint-diploma agreements at your faculty in the foreseeable future?
The Faculty of Economics and Finance is a leader in international cooperation as regards education, projects and research. We are currently working on preparing other double-diploma agreements for bachelor's and master's students studying at the Faculty of National Economics and Finance. When selecting partner universities, we take into account primarily education and research quality at the relevant university and the value added the double diploma brings to our outgoing as well as incoming students. Right now, we are adding finishing touches to the double diploma arrangement with a partner university in Asia. This will give new perspectives to our students, who will thus be able to acquire expertise and knowledge from the Asian region, which has a huge potential for future development. We will inform about the details of this double diploma arrangement after the agreement is signed.
