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Education to the Slovak Republic
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(Last updated: 13 Jul 2007)
Trends and opportunities
The market
The Slovak Ministry of Education is responsible for the country’s overall education strategy which includes projects such as:
- Exchange student programs
- Cooperation with foreign education entities
- Programs for foreign language study
English is the number one foreign language choice for most Slovak students, with 55 per cent of the 265,000 high school students studying English. Of 118,000 registered university students 60 per cent are learning English. Out of 22,000 students at specialised language schools, 60 per cent are studying English. Upper secondary schools (ISCED 3) provide secondary level education, finalised by a graduation exam called ‘maturita’.
Types of secondary school are:
- Gymnasia (grammar schools), providing general education and preparing students for further higher education or university studies, or preparing students for careers in areas such as in administration, business and culture. The course of study takes from four to eight years. There are newly established bilingual four-year gymnasia that teach English or French intensely.
- Secondary specialised schools and conservatories, preparing students primarily for performing professional activities – technical and economic, management, education, health care, social, legal, administrative, artistic, and cultural. Conservatories prepare students for specialised areas such as singing, music, dance, and theatre.
- Secondary vocational schools for trade and vocational activities based on types of apprenticeship.
Universities represent the highest level (INSCED 6) of scientific and artistic education. Courses usually last five years. There are about 1530 foreign students currently studying at Slovak universities.
The Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic are among the largest student exporters to Australia in the Central and Eastern European countries.
(Source: Slovak Ministry of Education and AEI Statistical Data, May 2004)
Opportunities
Studying foreign languages is compulsory at all schools (with English the most widely taught) and a high percentage of university students want to study abroad. Slovak students follow the country’s economic needs when choosing their fields of study, so currently the most popular courses are in:
- information technology
- computing
- marketing
- business management
- hospitality
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Tariffs, regulations and customs
There are no tariffs, regulations or quotas related to education in Slovakia.
Industry standards
East European countries historically have a high standard of knowledge level, especially in mathematics and applied science, history and philosophy.
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Marketing your products and services
Market entry
Australian education institutions can promote themselves by visiting the Slovak Republic and meeting with local education agents and education institutions. The optimum curriculum offered should cover different levels of English language and vocational training.
There are 21 education agencies in the Slovak Republic focused on managing study stays in Australia with a growing trend for Australian institutions to be represented by one or more education agent.
Exhibiting at any of the international education trade fairs can also facilitate market entry. Australian institutions can exhibit by themselves or co-exhibit with an education agent. It is also important for Australian education providers to be registered at the Australian Embassy in Vienna, Austria where Slovak students who are interested in study stays in Australia must apply for student visas.
Australia enjoys a good reputation among Slovak students thanks to alumni and education agents specialised in Australia due to attractive curriculum, the possibility of part-time work and the Australian scenery. These distribute the best ‘selling messages’ to Slovak students. Australia as a study destination is also cheaper than the UK or USA for longer stays.
E-commerce is established in the Slovak Republic, but is mostly used by private consumers. The situation in the Slovak telecommunications sector is expected to further improve with affordable ISDN lines and better rates for Internet users. This means the volume of use will grow and entity-to-entity communication will help to establish export contacts.
Distribution channels
The recommended distribution channels are either local education agencies that can represent several education providers, or local education institutions who will cooperate on a one-to-one basis.
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Contact details
The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) is the Australian Government’s trade and investment development agency, operating as a statutory agency within the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio.
Austrade assists Australian businesses contribute to national prosperity by succeeding in trade and investment, internationally, and promoting and supporting productive foreign investment into Australia.
Austrade:
- Delivers services that assist Australian businesses initiate, sustain and grow trade and outward investment.
- Promotes Australia as an inward investment destination and, with the States and Territories, supports the inflow of productive foreign direct investment.
- Administers the Export Market Development Grants scheme.
- Undertakes initiatives designed to improve community awareness of, and commitment to, international trade and investment.
- Provides advice to the Australian Government on its trade and investment development activities.
- Delivers consular, passport and other government services in designated overseas locations.
A list of Austrade offices (in alphabetical order of country) is available.
More information
For further information please contact Austrade on 13 28 78 or email info@austrade.gov.au |
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