Increasing Efficiency of the Learning Process by an Active Cooperation between Universities and Industry

Education at the technical universities has demanding requirements for the technical laboratory equipment and a high level of teaching staff knowledge. The use of laboratory exercises in the education process increases the efficiency of the learning process and prepares the graduates of technical universities for their real job. Effective cooperation between technical universities and companies from the industry synergistically increases the knowledge and the level of practical skills of the graduates and their rapid adaptation for the job. Employers can use the laboratories at the technical universities for further education of their employees as well. The paper describes the experiences of cooperation between University of Zilina and railway companies in the railway transport laboratory and at the technical practices and excursions.