Abstract:

According to the Slovak Liaison Office for Research and Development in Brussels, the European Union is currently facing three challenges: first, there is a need to improve results in the implementation of the research results into market. Technologies, developed in Europe, are often commercialized elsewhere. Another problem is that although more scientific results are generated in Europe than in any other region in the world, it often lags behind the best science leaders. The third area for improvement is international scientific cooperation and scientific diplomacy. According to the freely available publication Science, Research and Innovation performance of the EU - Agenda 2016, (published by the European Commission with the Directorate General for Research and Innovation of the EU), which maps the state and trends of science, research and innovation in Europe, Slovakia has finished at the bottom of the public support of research and development in years 2007-2013.

Innovation of education and training of future researchers in the field of science and research in Slovakia is ensured primarily by higher education system, especially at the 3rd level of university study. Researchers (research teams) cannot exist without financial support to implement their research (development). It is therefore necessary to apply for financial incentives from various grant agencies, both at the level of Slovakia, but especially at international level. Education and training of future researchers should include knowledge of the problems of project management research projects. Such knowledge is useful not only for the future but also for contemporary researchers who apply for funding to implement their research and development projects.

The quality of submitted proposals on research and development projects depends on various criteria. First of all the content and formal quality of the project proposal are decisive. In case of approval of the project grant support, a project coordination team, to ensure the promised objectives and outcomes, is very important.

In terms of management of research and development projects it is necessary to know and practice the principles and approaches to international standards of project management. The aim of the paper is to analyse, evaluate and propose the innovation of higher education and training of future researchers in the field of the risk management under the conditions of the Faculty of Security Engineering of the University of Žilina in Slovakia.

Even if Slovakia has not been situated at the unflattering position among the EU countries (or in the world) in terms of the performance, it is necessary to prepare high-quality university graduates who can apply for jobs in the state or private sector at the positions of researchers. The quality of future project management staff in terms of research and development projects can contribute to better preparation, solution or coordination of these projects.

Keywords:

Education, innovation, researcher, project, risk management, university.