Rapport zur Collecte vu BeWéiser Annex 2 – Befindunge vun der Universitéit Turku, Finnland
Outcomes from the group discussions with companies, UTU Validity of the results The companies interviewed were selected based on previous collaboration and recommendations from the SparkUp co-working space. Not all companies have been previously collaborating with the University which gave a wider perspective to the topic. Also interviewees did not all know each other. Companies are operating in different field (consulting agency, quality of air measurement, online education provider, and augmented reality services). To introduce the focus group, a brief presentation of the project and the method used for the data collection were presented using PowerPoint.
General observations on discussion with companies The interviewed company representatives emphasize the pragmatics of learning while doing. In this context the asking of questions and trying is central according to the interviewees. Also learning to use feedback to improve is seen as an important skill, in addition to communication skills. They highlight the need for myriad of skills, both internal and external, as well as the right kind of a mind-set. According to them students would benefit learning both the basic “hard skills” in the classroom, but also the innovative skills; and they would gain from exposition to the “real world complex problems” and creative problem solving related. The company representatives bring to the fore the growing complexity and the need to adapt to change. The interviewee commented “Nobody knows how the future will be and what kind of skills and knowledge will be needed.” With respect to they stress the importance of trial and error, experimenting in addition to planning and the mentality of not being afraid of mistakes. In the context of education this could mean e.g. “find out” type of tasks and creative problem solving challenges, the company representatives suggest. When it comes to the university-business collaboration the companies seek for two-way learning, e.g. in form of project-oriented co-operation and dialogue between science and business. The interviewees detected a gap between the universities’ long-term problem solving and businesses’ short-term problem solving. They pointed out a need of mediators – the “Mavericks” – who have the gradient of both worlds. The company representatives posed the question whether everybody needs to be educated on entrepreneurship and innovation and whether we still need “the basic employee” in the future. They also pointed out that innovation is not necessarily a prerequisite for a successful enterprise.
IO1. Rapport zur Collecte vu BeWéiser
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