The National Motorway Company has concluded a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation in Studies, Education and Scientific and Research Activities with the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, the Technical University of Košice and the University of Žilina.

They signed the Memorandum on November 16, 2021, symbolically the day before International Students' Day. The National Motorway Company has supported over the long period and continues to support technical universities. “Slovakia is an industrial state. More than 23 percent of GDP is made up of the country's industry. It is very important for us to look for partnerships where we can really find them. The academic community is irreplaceable for us, we are experts from practice, and it is important for us that students find employment in our company,” said Vladimír Jacko, Director General of the National Motorway Company, noting the importance of science, education and their connections to practice and this is why the National Motorway Company will deepen its cooperation with top Slovak universities.

“Cooperation with National Motorway Company is very important for our University. Whether in the field of projects, our employees make a significant contribution to the preparation of reports, legislation. I also very much welcome the fact that National Motorway Company wants to enter into communication when planning study programs,” said prof. Ing. Jozef Jandačka, PhD., Rector of the University of Žilina, while signing the Memorandum. “This is an equally important milestone for us, because we have a platform on the basis of which we will involve into process our experts in expertise, but we will also work together in planning motorways for the next 10 to 15 years,” responds Dr. h. c. prof. h. c. prof. Dr. Ing. Oliver Moravčík, Rector of the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava.

The Memorandum will provide a basis for future forms of cooperation and an opportunity to deepen students' practical knowledge, provided that they are interested in working for the largest investor in Slovakia – the National Motorway Company. “Our universities bring innovation, creative and effective ideas. These are the knowledge and experience we need to form in students. It is a young potential in which we see a huge chance for us,” adds Jaroslav Ivanco, Vice­‑Chairman of the Board of Directors and Charging and IT Section Director.

In order to strengthen relations, the National Motorway Company and Universities will meet each other, for example, in the creation of bachelor's, master's or dissertation theses by listing professional topics, in supervising final theses and providing professional lectures by National Motorway Company employees, in providing mutual consultations and professional discussions and in creating conditions for preparation of students for the labour market, for example in the form of short­‑term internship. “I see the signing of the Memorandum as a mutually beneficial partnership. We have been cooperating with the National Motorway Company for several years, for example, we have recently participated in a professional analysis of the design of a technical solution for restrooms at services, including their equipment. The Memorandum will be a huge advantage for our University,” admits prof. Ing. Ervín Lumnitzer, PhD., Vice­‑Rector for Education from the Technical University of Košice.

Universities will provide National Motorway Company with expert opinions, analyses, reports and proposals for legislative, as well as professional and strategic materials, especially in the field of road infrastructure construction, including their wider equipment.

Source: National Motorway Company (NDS)