Innovation approaches for better self-assertion of the University of Zilina, Faculty of Special Engineering graduates in accordance with actual labour market needs

One of the basic criterions of the university education quality evaluation is also successful self-assertion of its graduates in specific field at the labour market. This positive information is important also for students of secondary schools who decide where to continue in their study. Neither the Faculty of Special Engineering (FSE) of the University of Zilina disposes with good evaluation. But the Faculty continually tries to improve the results of this criterion. The Faculty participates in many projects that help to improve this evaluation, e.g. it participates in the project Innovation and internationalization of education - tools of quality enhancement of the Zilina University in the European Education Area. The aim of this paper is point out - propose how to increase self-assertion of the graduates in specific field at the labour market through innovation of study programme and changes in approaches of university teachers to actual trends in economic environment. The paper is dealing with analysis of the needs and requirements of the labour market in Slovakia, evaluation of the FSE graduates self-assertion at the labour market in Slovakia. We would like to point out to the importance of the project tasks fulfilment and underline not only the innovation of the FSE study programme for better self-assertion of its students in practice but also the change of the university teachers approach. Without positive thinking for change, willingness and innovation of educational process elements it will not be functional. (C) 2015 The authors Published by Elsevier Ltd.