Long-term Plan of Development - University of Economics in Bratislava

The Long-Term Plan of Development of the University of Economics in Bratislava for the period of 2019 – 2027 is elaborated pursuant to the Act N. 131/2002 Coll. on higher education and on the change and supplement to some acts, as amended.
The Academic Senate of the University of Economics in Bratislava has discussed the Long-Term Plan of Development of the University pursuant to the § 9 Section 1 letter j) Act N. 131/2002 Coll. on higher education …
The Long-Term Plan of Development of the University was discussed at the meeting of the Scientific Council of the University of Economics in Bratislava on 10. 6. 2019.
The Long-Term Plan of Development of the University was discussed and approved at the meeting of the Academic Senate of the University of Economics in Bratislava on 26. 9. 2019.
The Long-Term Plan of Development of the University was discussed at the meeting of the Board of Governors of the University of Economics in Bratislava on 9. 12. 2019
The Long-Term Plan of Development is a basic source material of the University which will be followed by the management of the University in the process of development of individual activities of the University in the given term.

In the process of creating the long-term plan, the management of the UE in Bratislava has taken the present development of the university into account in order to build on the achievements from previous years. At the same time, this plan reflects new challenges which arise from the changing requirements in the academic and scientific research environment of universities and the needs of socio-economic practice in Slovakia (hereinafter referred to as the SR) and the European Union (hereinafter referred to as the EU) in the context of globalization and building the common international educational and research area.

When creating the long-term plan, it has been taken into consideration, inter alia, that the UE in Bratislava has, on a long-term basis, a unique position in the higher education system of the SR due in particular to the following reasons:

it is the first higher education institution with the specialization in economics in the history of the SR,
has a highly qualified human potential of teachers and staff (both in terms of quantity as well as expertise)
it is a unique workplace within all institutions of higher education specialized in economics in Slovakia,
in terms of the number of students, it has the largest market share in higher economic education in Slovakia,
has by far the highest share in the economic and management education in terms of the number of accredited study programs at all levels of higher education in Slovakia,
provides a comprehensive range of training in the field of study Economics and Management and in the selected study programs of the field of Informatics and Philology,
has been successful in the research and scientific, as well as project and publishing activities,
over a long period, it has been achieving excellent results in the employment of graduates in the labour market in the SR and the EU.
it has a library which has a unique position in the system of libraries of the SR and which is the only specialized economic library within the SR,
on the basis of the above, it has a reputation of respected educational and research institution in the SR.

The following documents served as the basis for creating the long-term plan, in particular:

Long-term plan of the development of the UE in Bratislava for the period of 2015 – 2019 with a perspective to the year 2019
Reports on the UE in Bratislava activities in the period of 2015 – 2018
SWOT analysis of the current situation in particular areas of activities at the UE in Bratislava
The programming documents of the EU related to the Europe 2020 strategy and the modernization of higher education in the EU in particular
Requirements and achieved preliminary results in the process of international accreditation in the system AACSB
Requirements following from the internal quality assurance system regarding higher education
Intentions of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the SR in the field of higher education

Long-term plan consists of two main parts:

I. The mission, principles of functioning, values and vision of the UE in Bratislava

II. Strategy and main development activities of the UE in Bratislava

A. Strategic goals of the university

B. Priorities in the activities of the university

C. Main tasks of the university

I. THE MISSION, PRINCIPLES OF ACTIONS, VALUES AND VISION OF THE UE IN BRATISLAVA

MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY

University of Economics in Bratislava belongs

To the European Higher Education Area and the common European Research Area.

In the framework of its integration,

its mission is to

provide a good quality higher education in all three levels of university studies
in the complex of economic and management programmes of study and selected programmes of study in the field of humanities and informatics,

to develop knowledge based on the freedom of creative scientific research

in the field of economics, economy, informatics, humanities and social sciences, and thus

contribute to the development of the knowledge-based society

in Slovakia and in the European Area.

PRINCIPLES OF ACTIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY

In pursuing its mission, the university had applied in the preceding period, currently applies and will apply the following stable principles of functioning:

Accentuation of the social responsibility towards the SR and foreign countries in the process of implementing core actions (education, research and transfer of knowledge)
Implementation and further development of the academic excellence and quality in all fields of activity
Internationalization in all activities of the university

VALUES IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY

The UE in Bratislava proclaims the values and principles enshrined in the Magna Charta Universitatum. In accordance with the aforesaid document, the university particularly:

develops its activities on principles of autonomy, moral and scientific independence from politics and respects academic freedoms,

applies the principle of the indivisibility of educational activities from science and research,
supports critical thinking in the creative activity of the university staff,
rejects intolerance and promotes dialogue in all areas of activities of the university,
applies and develops traditions and values of democracy and European humanism,
develops traditions of the European dialogue and promotes interaction between cultures,
respects and applies the principle of equal opportunities.

In line with its mission, principles and values, the university strives to form students so that they will not only become successful qualified economists, managers and other professionals in socio-economic practice, but will also behave in accordance with the values which the university declares and promotes in their professional and civic lives.

The fulfilment of the mission of the university, the rigorous application of the basic principles of its functioning, the respect and promotion of the declared values, and the implementation of the main strategic objectives are the basis for the university to reach the following vision.

VISION OF THE UNIVERSITY

The aim of the UE in Bratislava is to be perceived and recognized as

quality, modern research university with international direction

which

reflects social responsibility

and prepares

graduates able to react on the challenges of globalization.

II. STRATEGY AND MAIN DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES OF THE UE IN BRATISLAVA

A. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES OF THE UNIVERSITY

In order to achieve its mission and accomplish the vision of the university, the management of the UE in Bratislava, while respecting the basic principles, proposes the following strategic objectives at national and international level for the period of 2019 - 2027:

shape the university so that it promotes its research character,
shape the university as an institution meeting national and international standards in all areas of its activity.

B. PRIORITIES IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY

Achieving the strategic goals requires to focus all the university activities on key strategic priorities that go beyond all areas of its activities and which will be met by the implementation of individual tasks. In fulfilling the strategic goals and priorities, the UE in Bratislava acts and will be acting in the unity and synergy of all its organizational components, i.e. all faculties and other organizational units according to the Statute of the university of Economics in Bratislava.

Cross-cutting priorities:

to ensure continual improvement of quality in all areas of the functioning of the university in order to obtain and guarantee institutional accreditation at national level in line with the international standards of quality,

to deepen the internationalization of education, science, research and other activities of the university by strengthening partnerships and by activating networking with universities in the SR and abroad,
to intensify relations with national and international bodies, institutions and organizations of the state and public sector, economic and social practice,

to create and promote creative work environment and atmosphere, to build, encourage and deepen collegial relationships between employees and between the university staff and students, to make the internal and external communication more effective.

Priorities in education:
- to monitor and continuously evaluate the level of quality in educational activities in order to constantly improve it,
- to accredit programmes of study in accordance with the standards of internal system of ensuring the quality of higher education,
- to promote the internationalization of education.
Priorities in science, research and doctoral studies:
- to promote synergies of the internationalization of education, science and research at the university by stepping up participation at solving international educational and research projects,
- to strengthen the position of the university by a quality research activity and by presenting results of such activity in respected international scientific journals registered in reputable databases,
- to further raise the quality of doctoral studies.
Priorities for international relations and internationalization:
- To develop and deepen relations with internationally renowned universities in order to establish strategic partnerships for the area of internationalization of education and research cooperation,
- To foster the internationalization of the inner environment at the university in order to multiply all forms of individual mobility which serve as a tool for the personal growth of students and staff.
Priorities in the management of academic projects:
- to regulate, monitor and evaluate compliance with quality standards set on the basis of information from the internal environment of the university in order to achieve the international accreditation in the AACSB system,
- to ensure the offer of educational activities in the matter of lifelong learning for internal and external environment.
Priorities for development and in financial matters:
- to prepare a complex investing strategy of the university,
- to implement a system of financial stability of all activities of the university,
- to ensure further development of business activity and activities focused on acquiring sources by means other than subsidies.
Priorities in personnel and social work:
- to further realize comprehensive personnel development and growth of the qualification of the university staff,
- to apply various forms of differentiation and motivation in the remuneration of the university staff,
- to promote such social policy that will closely reflect the interests and needs of employees,
- to support student’s activities in the area of culture, sports and subsequent leisure activities and expectations of employees and students with specific needs from socially disadvantaged background.
Priorities in the area of informatization:
- to introduce and apply processes of standardization in using information and communication technologies as the basic work equipment of all employees and students,
- continue to build technical and technological equipment of workplaces and student dormitories.
Priorities in communication and public relations:
- to prepare and apply a comprehensive marketing strategy of the university and ensure uniform communication within the university and towards public for the period 2019 - 2027,
- to create a business incubator for students of the university,
- to create new platforms for promoting the university’s activities to public.

C. MAIN TASKS OF THE UNIVERSITY

EDUCATION
1. Evaluate the system of education in the framework of programmes of study at all levels of study, realize the process of improving the quality of educational activity
  
  The quality of education is a condition for the further improvement of the position of the UE in Bratislava on the higher education market in Slovakia and on international scale as well. The implementation of the integrated system of ensuring and improving the quality at the UE in Bratislava provides favourable conditions for it. High quality of education and its results are one of requirements for successful international accreditation in the international systems of quality evaluation and improvement.
2. Evaluate and improve the system of the admission procedure for the first and second level of the university study
  
  Given the development of the number of applicants for study in the programmes of study of the UE in Bratislava, it is necessary to regularly evaluate and improve the system of admission procedure for the first and second level of study in order to assert the selection of such applicants who will meet demanding criteria of the admission procedure. At the same time, it is necessary to intensify the promotion of the accredited study programs by emphasizing their uniqueness and usability in order to increase the interest of applicants for study at the UE in Bratislava and thus eliminate the best high school graduates from leaving to study abroad.
3. Accredit programmes of study in accordance with the standards of the internal system of ensuring quality of higher education
  
  Act №. 131/2002 Coll. on Higher Education and on the Change and Supplement to some acts, as amended and Act no. 269/2018 Coll. on Quality Assurance in Higher Education regulate new conditions for the accreditation of programmes of study and the assessment and evaluation of the internal system for quality assurance in higher education. For the accreditation, it is necessary to prepare such programmes of study of the faculties that will comply with the vision of the university and will reflect the needs and challenges of the era of digitization and automatization.
4. Prepare and introduce the system of unified record keeping of pedagogical, research and publication activities of teachers
  
  Teachers’ performance has been currently observed on the basis of carrying out direct pedagogical activity in the given academic year, publication and research activity has been monitored in the framework of attestations once in two calendar years or during selection procedures. From year to year, this shows differences in the performance in the selected fields.
SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND DOCTORAL STUDIES
1. Create a community active in the field of science and research based on values of open society, mutual understanding and respect of individual and cultural diversity, support the interaction of scientists and researchers with the decision-making sphere, organizations operating internationally, professional associations, economic practice and the third sector
  
  The priority is to continuously create atmosphere that will be creative, of demanding nature, innovative and interdisciplinary approach in research and doctoral studies at the university as a precondition for raising the efficiency of doctoral studies and make it fully internationally comparable to renowned economic faculties abroad, as well as to systematically support interaction with external institutions and organizations. The aim of this initiative is to conceptually form conditions for carrying out research and doctoral studies at the university and also for involving creative employees and postgraduates into national and international research projects and research networks.
2. Support international cooperation in the field of science and research
  
  The priority of a continuous support of the synergy of the internationalization of education, science and research at the university is a precondition for a stronger integration of the university within the European Higher Education Area, the European Research Area (or the European Research and Innovative Area) and the European Economic Area by increasing the participation in international education and research projects. The aim is to systematically encourage the participation of creative employees and postgraduate students in further education oriented at increasing their scientific and research potential, as well as promoting the internationalization and attractiveness of the PhD study.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND INTERNATIONALIZATION
1. Develop and strengthen international relations in the member network of international academic organizations and with internationally established universities
  
  The UE in Bratislava is a member of several relevant international institutions and initiatives which are active in the higher education sector. Active participation in these institutions represent significant contribution to increasing international prestige and visibility of the UEBA brand. This is only possible on a condition that the university will be actively involved in activities of these institutions. Participation in international events is a positive contribution to the transfer of the latest knowledge from the international environment to the university, to the establishment of new perspective institutionalized relationships with internationally respected universities, and contributes to the improvement of quality in all areas of university activities.
2. Make the systemic preconditions for the internationalization of education more effective at all level levels of study
  
  Expansion of the offer of vocational subjects and programmes of study in a foreign language has an impact on the internationalization of education, development of international cooperation and academic mobilities of students and teachers. It is possible to use the membership of the university in prestigious international groups for the development of cooperation in the process of creating and realization of the programmes of study leading to obtaining double or joint diplomas with the reputable foreign universities. It is necessary to pay attention to the preparation of new programmes of study in the English language in particular in order to ensure the increased interest of foreign students in study at the university.
3. Make the academic mobility of students and teachers more intensive
  
  The internationalization of the university's internal environment and the international transfer of knowledge associated with it represent an effective impulse for the development of creativity and innovation and for the improvement of quality in education and research. Academic mobilities of incoming and outcoming students, pedagogical and non-pedagogical staff represent a tool for the personal growth of students and employees, strengthen the institutional internationalization and international dimension of the university.
MANAGEMENT OF ACADEMIC PROJECTS
1. Create conditions for coordinating and monitoring compliance with the quality standards
  
  Internal system of ensuring quality of higher education in the framework of the national institutional accreditation as well as international accreditation systems are focused on continuous improvement of quality in all areas of activities of the university. AACSB International is one of the world's leading agencies. It respects the diversity of universities and assesses the fulfilment of international accreditation standards in the context of the mission of the university. Acquiring the accreditation in this prestigious international rating system and continuous quality improvement will mean a significant strengthening of the position for the university at the national level and increased international recognition and acceptance. This will also expand the possibilities for further development of the university in all areas of activity and improve the position of its graduates in the labour market within the SR and the EU.
2. Expand the activities of the Bratislava Business School
  
  The Bratislava Business School as the whole-university workplace is focused on lifelong learning. Based on relevant market research and monitoring of education needs, education and training programs are being prepared in cooperation with domestic and foreign entities. At the same time, it identifies and secures the acquisition of participants who are interested in acquiring or completing the education, or experience in the area concerned, and ensures the implementation of education and training programs. The Expert Institute is part of the Bratislava Business School. It carries out expert activities focused on qualified expert acts. At the same time, it is an educational and methodical centre in the field of economic expert activity that closely cooperates with the Ministry of Justice of the SR in the organization of specialized examination for experts and in the process of preparing new legislation providing for expertise. By means of its activities, the Institute contributes to the expansion of cooperation with the economic practice in particular and with public and judicial authorities, thus intensively taking part in spreading the reputation of the UE in Bratislava.
3. Improve the quality of all library and information services of the Slovak Economic Library
  
  The development of information technologies, their spread into all areas of society and rapid dissemination of documents in electronic form significantly changes basic library functions and services as well as user behaviour. The digital environment changes the system of exchange of expert and scientific information, and access to them. The Slovak Economic Library (hereinafter referred to as the “SEK”) must respond flexibly to these challenges and use the new technologies for the improvement, modernization and expansion of the provided library and information services by means of which permanent access to scientific and expert information to the academic community and public community of experts from the prominent national and foreign sources will be guaranteed by the library. The Slovak Economic Library also provides collecting of data, bibliographical registration, processing of and access to scientific and expert publications of the university staff.
DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCIAL MATTERS
1. Prepare the investing strategy of the university, including its financial backup
  
  The UE in Bratislava is located in its main site at Dolnozemská cesta 1 in Bratislava, The Faculty of Business Economy is located in the university’s own premises at Tajovského street in Košice. Besides that, the university has several student dormitories and other premises in Virt, Jarabá, Starý Smokovec and Kapušany at its disposal.
2. Prepare and implement the programme of improvement of work conditions of staff and study and accommodation conditions for students
  
  One of employer’s duties is to permanently improve work conditions for employees including boarding, healthcare, but also for cultural and sporting activity. Similarly, this also applies to the students’ accommodation options and its quality. It is one of the factors which influences the interest of students in studies at the university.
3. Ensure financial stability of the university
  
  The amount of granted subsidies covering the individual activities of the university has been continuously insufficient for covering the basic needs of the university. In the context of strengthening the importance of multi-source financing and less dependence on subsidies, it is necessary to increase the share of financial resources in the core activities, from business activities and from other external sources to finance the development activities of the university to that extent that financial sustainability of the individual activities of the university will be guaranteed in the long-term.
PERSONEL AND SOCIAL WORK
1. Ensure comprehensive personnel development and human resources management strategy
  
  In connection with the realization of the long-term plan of the university development, it is necessary to ensure this process with a high-quality personnel policy and human resources management strategy. The corresponding structure of the qualified staff significantly contributes to ensuring a high-quality educational and scientific-research process with corresponding outputs that greatly affect the financial security of all university activities. Streamlining the individual activities of the university will have an impact also on the implementation of organizational changes at the university. Human resources play a key role in achieving the strategic goals of the university. In this context, it will be very important to specify the motivating system of evaluation of its employees by means of promoting the differentiated access to the evaluation of the individual’s work. In relation to students, i tis important to pay particular attention to students with specific needs and socially disadvantaged background.
2. Develop activities of the Alumni Club of the UE in Bratislava
  
  The biggest contribution of the Alumni Club to the UE in Bratislava is gaining the feedback as a significant source of information about the quality of education and scientific and research activity. Alumni Club serves as a platform for regular communication with graduates also in terms of further development of cooperation with the economic practice.
3. Review existing agreements on cooperation of the university with organizations and institutions from economic practice and prepare new agreements with specific forms of cooperation
  
  The UE in Bratislava has concluded several dozen agreements on cooperation with institutions from practice. It is necessary to review these agreements and prepare agreements for new cooperation, including real forms of implementation of this cooperation.
Informatization
1. Develop e-learning
  
  Regarding e-learning, the university has several tools for efficient learning at its disposal. Currently, there are Faculties’ e-learning portals of the same type available which are neither connected with the central user database, nor AIS2. This is problematic in terms of administrating students’ accounts, as well as maintaining the up-to-datedness and security of individual portals. It is necessary to unify all Moodle portals and make more modern teaching methods via Microsoft Teams etc. available to students and teachers.
2. Finish the building of Wi-Fi network in student dormitories
  
  After extensive reconstruction, the network infrastructure of the UE in Bratislava is at a good level. The biggest shortcomings are in ensuring Wi-Fi signal coverage in some student dormitories.
3. Modernize technical and software equipment of the university
  
  In the field of software maintenance, the university mainly uses tools for automatic updates. This system often causes problems in older classrooms, where it is not possible to ensure easy installation of new applications in a centralized way. Regarding the purchase of licences, it is necessary to focus on portable network licenses that allow wider software deployment. In the interest of effective management of the university's resources, the electronic system for recording and supervision of the requirements of students and teachers was introduced. The next step in streamlining the activities of the Centre of Information Technologies is the establishment of a central helpdesk for handling all requests from students and teachers directed to the centre with a permanent service.
4. Introduce IT Governance as a part of the university administration
  
  Efficient administration of the university requires quality information and communication technologies at its disposal and an environment related to it. In order to reduce and optimize the costs of various management and administrative activities, it is necessary to change the access to information technologies at all levels of the university so that these technologies become an effective tool for internal communication, management and processing of documents. At present, the university mainly uses AIS2 systems, a web environment, e-mail or secured shared folders for the exchange of information. Such an exchange of data is justified, but it is not a modern and efficient solution. Most processes that do not work with sensitive personal information can be streamlined through the deployment of Microsoft Teams.
COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
1. Implement efficient marketing communication
  
  From the perspective of creating a positive image of the university, it is necessary to update and implement a marketing strategy of the university in order to communicate and promote the activities of the university in all its areas from one centre. Appropriate promotion of the possibilities of study at the university, of its realized activities and results of its activity is a prerequisite for positive perception of the university among the relevant public.
2. Boost the activity of the Career centre as a contact point in the field of career counselling
  
  Being an inseparable part of the Centre of Communication and Public Relations, the Career Centre plays an important role in the implementation of the marketing strategy of the university for students, as well as for external public especially in arranging vacancies for the university graduates, in ensuring and implementation of cooperation with economic and social institutions in the field of education and research, as well as in the preparation and implementation of trainings and workshops in the field of career and personnel counselling.
3. Create a business incubator for the university students
  Nowadays, business incubators are a standard part of the activities of universities not only in the world, but also in Slovakia. The basic benefit of a business incubator is to provide opportunities for the development of students who start a business during their studies. The university has enough experts in all managerial and economic fields that could be used just for that.

Conclusion

The long-term plan of development of the UE in Bratislava is a source document for the elaboration of long-term plans for the development of the faculties and other departments of the university. The schedule of the long-term plan will be elaborated dividing it into objectives and tasks of the university according to the individual years. When performing the individual tasks, an active approach of all university employees and students is expected, without whom it will not be possible to realize the goals set forth in this plan.

prof. Ing. Ferdinand Daňo, PhD.

Rector of the UE in Bratislava

Long-term Plan of Development of the University of Economics in Bratislava for the period of 2019 – 2027