Abstract:

Collaboration between universities and industry is considered as one of the main tools for continuous improvement. This cooperation support business growth and implementation of innovation through the constant exchange of experience and knowledge. Today's market environment is characterised by the need to respond quickly to customer requirements, and a new approach and innovation can do this in industry processes. Company often sticks to the old methods of problem solving and are not creative. Cooperation between university and company can bring new innovative students´ solutions for various organisational challenges. The purpose of this article is to motivate companies and also universities to establish and sustain a partnership and bring it to a successful end. The article in its core discusses the advantages and disadvantages of collaboration and creates the methodology of student participation in ongoing processes in the company provided by university. The methodology is used and validated by the University of Zilina in projects with students and industry. The model describes in detail the individual tasks of the subjects involved in the cooperation. The article also contains a case study of successful collaboration between the university, industry and students. Students optimised logistics processes based on knowledge from school. The benefits of the work can be divided in three categories, benefits for the university, for the industry and also students. The main goal for the university consisted in an increase interest in the field of study and an improvement in the results in specific subjects. Industry streamlines their process through participating students and students better understand the knowledge achieved from school and prepare them to be part of the company.

Keywords:

Collaboration, Internship, Industry, University, Simulation, Warehouse.