Regular meetings of the Economic Council are held to deepen the relationship between employers and Aspira as a learning institution and to step up collaboration in the form of student internships and knowledge transfer. Dean Alen Jerkunica welcomed everyone to the final session of the academic year, which took place on June 7, 2024, and urged partners to join in the brainstorming and discussion. At the meeting, employers were briefed on the events of the previous academic year and asked to devise fresh concepts to help Aspire students better integrate into the workforce. Denis Fusek, the president of the Economic Council, also spoke to the audience. He greeted everyone once more and expressed his gratitude for the large number of business partners and representatives that attended. He gave special recognition to Aspira’s efforts in uniting employers and students, noting that this represents a significant advancement in the business sector as it produces a workforce better suited to the demands of the labor market.
The Economic Council’s first section provided an overview of all the events and workshops that were presented to students in order to expose them to the business and labor markets during the previous academic year. Career Day is the most significant occasion with this kind of objective for students. The interest in this year’s Career Days was enormous, and based on the positive feedback and expectations, next year’s attendance should be even higher. The largest accomplishment of this event is the involvement of former Aspira University of Applied Sciences students who came back as employers and attracted new student generations.
This year, in addition to the customary Career Day, students took part in panels, Meetups, and gaming competitions. Through these events, they were able to share ideas and experiences with industry professionals and broaden their network of contacts, all of which are essential for their future professional growth.
The organization of sporting events is emphasized in the study program for Sports Management, and students had the chance to help organize a match between Porto and Boavista in Portugal through Erasmus + projects. Matej Mlakić, technical director of NK Rudeš, commended the Aspira students’ organizational abilities, saying, “We hope to continue cooperation through professional practice. Aspira students showed responsibility and innovation in the organization of matches.” Aspira University of Applied Sciences additionally promotes student involvement in humanitarian initiatives like “Srcem za Palčiće” and “Run of Hope,” which foster a sense of social duty and the significance of supporting the community.
Tourism and gastronomy students took a number of events, including study trips and Erasmus exchanges. One of the most notable was the “Regenerate Europe” conference, which brings together international experts to promote a sustainable tourism industry. Through his own guest workshops at Aspira University of Applied Sciences, chef Roko Nikolić of ZOI restaurant acknowledged the skill and drive of Aspira students.
Aspira University of Applied Sciences is an active member of the Erasmus+ network. Over seventy Aspira students took part in the Erasmus+ program this year, which enabled them to travel overseas and enhance their professional skills. With an outstanding score of 92 out of 100, Aspira University of Applied Sciences distinguished itself as one of the top organizations in the execution of the Erasmus+ project, demonstrating its dedication to high-quality instruction and global collaboration. Among the initiatives undertaken by the lifelong learning department, the significance of developing customized training programs for collaborators that facilitate the deliberate enhancement of workers’ competencies was underscored. Additionally, the potential for collaboration between employers, CES, and Aspira University of Applied Sciences in the project of training individuals has opened up. This project allows individuals to gain practical experience through internships in companies with the support of mentors, while the theoretical basis is provided by Aspira University of applied sciences.
During the last portion of the Economic Council meeting, employers discussed professional practices and how they benefit them as employers and students. In order to facilitate knowledge transfer and support educators and students in their scientific and research endeavors, we also extended an invitation to all employers to submit intriguing research topics in their domains.
Dragan Šimac, general manager of Falkensteiner, highlighted that successful and well-educated students are essential for business growth in the hotel industry. According to him, they require direction, instruction, and encouragement—exactly what Aspira provides by setting up professional practice from the very first year onward for big hotel groups. It was also decided to arrange more guest lectures and field classes the next academic year in order to give students a better understanding of the business world.