Intervju: Dragan Lončar | SAVEZOV MEDIA KUTAK

Introduction to the Interview with Dragan Lončar

Overview of Student Generations

• The interviewer introduces Professor Dragan Lončar, emphasizing the importance of having meaningful discussions about student-related topics.

• Professor Lončar expresses that he does not subscribe to the belief that each new generation of students is worse than the previous one; rather, he sees a mild fluctuation in student quality over time.

Perceptions of Student Quality

• He acknowledges concerns from colleagues regarding declining educational standards in primary and secondary education affecting university input.

• Despite these concerns, he notes that there are still highly motivated students who genuinely seek to learn beyond just passing exams.

Student Motivation and Engagement

• Some students approach their studies with a purely functional mindset, focusing solely on passing exams without deeper engagement with the material.

• This lack of intrinsic motivation can lead to decreased concentration when discussing practical applications of knowledge.

Practical Application in Education

Importance of Practical Questions

• Professor Lončar advocates for practical questions during exams to encourage deeper understanding and retention among students.

• He believes it is crucial for students to grasp concepts rather than merely memorize information for tests.

Challenges in Assessing Understanding

• He finds it disheartening when dedicated students fail to understand core concepts despite putting in significant effort.

• This raises ethical dilemmas about how to grade such students—whether to reward effort or emphasize comprehension.

Enhancing Learning Through Practical Examples

Engaging Students with Real-world Scenarios

• The professor prefers using real-life examples during assessments, asking students how they would explain concepts or handle situations practically.

• He recognizes that second-year students may lack practical experience but emphasizes the importance of reflective thinking on learned material.

Teaching Strategies for Better Absorption

• To help make complex subjects more relatable, he suggests incorporating various teaching methods like simulations and role-playing exercises.

Essential Skills for Economics Graduates

Core Knowledge Requirements

• Professor Lončar outlines three essential areas graduates must master: basic economic knowledge, proficiency in English, and IT skills.

Basic Economic Knowledge

• Graduates should have a solid foundation in macroeconomics, microeconomics, management, accounting, finance, and marketing principles.

Proficiency in English

• A strong command of English (minimum level 7 or 8 out of 10), particularly for business communication within multinational companies is necessary.

IT Skills

• Familiarity with tools like MS Office—especially Excel—is critical; many graduates currently lack adequate skills in this area.

Addressing Skill Gaps through Initiatives

Educational Projects

• In response to observed deficiencies in Excel skills among graduates, an initiative was launched offering free Excel training for final-year students.

Graduate Competitiveness

• The professor highlights that their institution's economics program has a good reputation among employers based on positive feedback from HR managers regarding student performance on tests.

Evaluating Graduate Readiness

Factors Influencing Employability

• Beyond academic performance (grades), employers consider extracurricular activities such as project involvement and internships when assessing candidates' readiness for employment.

Transitioning to English in Interviews

Challenges Faced by Candidates

• Candidates often struggle when interviews switch from their native language to English, leading to confusion despite having strong foundational knowledge and qualifications.

• The importance of soft skills is highlighted as essential for first-time employment, prompting the launch of a project called ECOFJ aimed at enhancing these skills among students.

Importance of Communication Skills

• Emphasis on presentation and public speaking skills, along with effective communication, is crucial for student success.

• Feedback from HR indicates that students often lack these vital soft skills compared to other candidates.

Insights from Practical Experience

Understanding Employer Expectations

• The speaker shares personal insights gained from working with numerous companies, understanding what employers seek in potential hires regarding both personality and expertise.

Academic vs. Practical Experience

• Discussion on the balance between professors who work in practice versus those focused solely on academia; practical experience is deemed important but not a strict requirement for effective teaching.

Dual Roles of Professors

Research and Knowledge Transfer

• Professors have two key roles: conducting research within their field and transferring knowledge effectively to students through various methods.

Variability in Teaching Approaches

• Different fields require different approaches; business economics professors may engage more practically than those focusing on macroeconomics or public finance.

Engaging Students with Real Examples

Preference for Practical Cases

• Students show greater interest when professors share personal experiences rather than textbook examples, making learning more relatable and engaging.

Moving Beyond Basic Knowledge

Bloom's Taxonomy Application

• Advocating for a shift towards higher levels of learning outcomes beyond mere memorization; analysis and synthesis are critical for deeper understanding.

Encouraging Independent Thought

• The ultimate goal is to empower students to form their own judgments and create new knowledge based on their perceptions.

Effective Teaching Strategies

Importance of Practical Reflection

• Highlighting the need for practical reflection during lessons to ensure that knowledge transcends rote memorization into applicable understanding.

Faculty Experience Diversity

Varied Background Among Professors

• Notable instances where faculty members come directly from extensive industry experience rather than purely academic backgrounds are rare but valuable.

Career Progression Paths

Assistantship Selection Criteria

• Observations indicate that candidates with strong academic performance often have better chances at assistant positions regardless of prior industry experience.

No One-size-fits-all Approach

Diverse Pathways to Good Teaching

• There’s no definitive rule about whether practical experience or academic focus makes someone a better professor; both paths can yield effective educators.

Integrating Technology into Education

Need for Technical Skills Training

• Discussion around the necessity of equipping students with hard skills related to software like SAP, emphasizing hands-on training opportunities available at the institution.

Collaboration with Industry Leaders

Existing Partnerships

• Current collaborations with SAP provide access to modern tools and resources necessary for teaching relevant technical skills effectively.

Availability of Resources

Modern Infrastructure Support

• The institution has invested in modern computing resources equipped with essential software packages needed for comprehensive education in various fields.

Faculty Autonomy in Curriculum Design

Individual Professor Initiatives

• Faculty autonomy allows professors flexibility in how they implement technology into their courses, fostering innovation based on individual initiative supported by institutional backing.

Constructing Effective Learning Environments

Student Engagement Techniques

• Emphasizing diverse teaching methods such as simulations and gamification enhances student engagement while acknowledging challenges posed by large class sizes.

Quality Over Quantity in Student Participation

Interaction Dynamics

• Acknowledging that louder participation does not necessarily correlate with quality contributions highlights the complexity of fostering meaningful classroom interactions among large groups.

Insights on Student Evaluation and Consulting Education

Evaluating Student Performance

• The speaker discusses the tendency to favor more active students during evaluations, noting that quieter students may be overlooked despite their potential.

• In project-based assessments, the speaker can predict which students deserve recommendations for scholarships or job opportunities based on their performance and engagement.

• Acknowledges the risk of missing out on talented but less vocal students who achieve high grades without much interaction.

Opportunities in Consulting Fields

• The discussion shifts to consulting careers, highlighting interest from economics students and assistants in this field.

• Emphasizes that various specializations within consulting can provide valuable skills applicable across different sectors.

• Students are encouraged to develop a broad skill set, including HR consulting and financial advisory services.

Challenges in Local Consulting Markets

• The speaker notes that local markets require consultants to offer integrated services due to limited specialization compared to larger markets like the U.S.

• Highlights the need for a diverse knowledge base in consulting roles, as clients expect comprehensive solutions.

New Directions in Academic Programs

• Introduction of a new program focusing on business analysis and consulting aimed at equipping graduates with immediate employability post-studies.

• First-year students will have options to specialize early, enhancing their learning experience through elective courses relevant to consulting.

Curriculum Development and Industry Collaboration

• The curriculum integrates knowledge from accounting, finance, management, IT, marketing, and sales tailored for consulting careers.

• Additional modules include practical language skills and business informatics aimed at improving student competitiveness in the job market.

Comparing Educational Standards

Quality of Education Assessment

• The speaker reflects on self-assessment challenges while comparing their institution's quality against prestigious universities like Cambridge or Harvard.

• Emphasizes the importance of critical mass regarding faculty quality and student capabilities within their institution.

Feedback from Employers

• Positive feedback from employers about graduates indicates successful preparation for real-world challenges faced by students during internships or employment.

Continuous Improvement Initiatives

Self-Critique Culture

• Discusses a culture of self-reflection among faculty and students aiming for continuous improvement rather than complacency with current achievements.

Institutional Growth Strategies

• Outlines ongoing efforts such as partnerships with businesses for internships and guest lectures aimed at enhancing educational infrastructure.

Practical Learning Experiences

Engaging with Industry Leaders

• Describes initiatives where industry leaders conduct workshops on CV writing, interview techniques, public speaking skills, etc., providing hands-on learning experiences for students.

Startup Support Systems

• Mentions the establishment of a Startup Center supporting student entrepreneurs by connecting them with professors willing to assist in developing innovative ideas.

Project Management and Entrepreneurial Ideas

Importance of Analyzing Entrepreneurial Ideas

• Students can engage in project management by analyzing entrepreneurial ideas, ideally those that are not their own, to assess feasibility.

Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Spirit Among Students

• There is a desire for more entrepreneurial spirit within the student population; however, there is a noted lack of quality ideas from students.

Challenges Faced by Students

• Professors acknowledge that students often feel overwhelmed with coursework, which may hinder their ability to develop entrepreneurial projects.

Comparison with International Peers

• In contrast to foreign peers who dedicate significant time to developing entrepreneurial ventures, local students seem influenced by a collectivist culture that limits individual initiative.

Student Attitudes Towards Entrepreneurship

Low Interest in Starting Companies

• When asked about starting their own companies, less than 10% of students expressed interest, indicating a need for awareness and mindset change regarding entrepreneurship.

The Role of Startup Centers

Functionality and Inclusivity

• The newly established Startup Center aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration among students from various faculties while ensuring at least one member is from the Economics faculty.

Success Stories from the Startup Center

Achievements in Presenting Ideas

• Two out of three teams activated in the first cycle successfully presented their ideas at an event in Austria, showcasing potential investor interest.

Support for Commercialization

Mentorship and Funding Access

• The center provides mentorship support from professors and industry professionals while facilitating access to funding opportunities for commercialization efforts.

Insights on Cryptocurrency Investment

Current Trends in Cryptocurrency

• Discussion around cryptocurrency highlights its rapid growth; however, caution is advised regarding investment strategies due to market volatility.

Evaluating Investment Opportunities

Considerations for Investors

• With over 2000 cryptocurrencies available, investors should be discerning about where they allocate funds.

Mining as Value Creation

Benefits of Mining Cryptocurrencies

• Having mining equipment allows individuals to create value through cryptocurrency mining rather than merely investing without understanding the underlying processes.

Realistic Expectations in Crypto Investments

Caution Against Greed

• Investors should maintain realistic expectations and avoid excessive risk-taking driven by greed when entering the crypto market.

Key Business Areas with Future Potential

Five Promising Sectors

• Food: Essential for survival.

• Energy: Diverse forms needed.

• Health: Addressing modern diseases like Alzheimer’s.

• Knowledge: Effective knowledge transfer methods.

• Entertainment: Human enjoyment aspects.

Balancing Professional Responsibilities

Personal Commitment vs. Institutional Demands

• Balancing multiple roles can lead to exhaustion; commitment to improving institutional quality remains strong despite challenges faced.