AmCham Slovakia

Introducing our European cultural capital

(by Patrik Tomeš)

Letter to Members by Richard Raši, Mayor of Košice

In 2013, Košice became the first Slovak city ever to be designated as the European Capital of Culture (ECOC). With the successful Košice Interface 2013 project, the city of Košice has proven that the prestigious title was well deserved. We managed to win over the European Commission, visitors, and especially the inhabitants, who are the ones to enjoy the benefits of the project and its positive impact on the development of the city in the first place. The European Commission even awarded Košice with the Melina Mercouri Prize in recognition of sound preparations for the Capital of Culture year. We also passed the test of attracting attention worldwide, as tourists are invited to visit Košice by prestigious world media and tourist guides like CNN, BBC, Lonely Planet, and BudgetTravel.com. Our city is currently rated among the top world tourist destinations.

2013: Year of Regional Development

(by Patrik Tomeš)

In light of AmCham´s FDI Strategy, the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, and the City of Košice being celebrated as the 2013 European Capital of Culture, AmCham Slovakia designated 2013 as Year of Regional Development. Therefore, we asked several professionals to share their views on the status quo and future of regional development in Slovakia.

Locally grown and seasonal food is in

(by Patrik Tomeš)

Prepared by AmCham member Lindner Hotel Gallery Central Bratislava

Before returning home, to Slovakia, Rastislav Krampl spent ten years working as a chef in Austria gaining great experience during this period. Krampl told us more about the selection of raw products, food preparation, and changes that the Slovak culinary audience is going
through now.

EU’s systemic innovations in regional development

(by Patrik Tomeš)

Prepared by AmCham member: Centire

Representatives of public agencies at the European as well as national levels are in the midst of planning for the 2014-2020 EU programing period. This article examines key features of the integrated approach to regional development, which can be considered the main systemic innovation.

Hire for attitude, train for skills!

(by Patrik Tomeš)

Prepared by AmCham member: Sheraton Bratislava Hotel

The hospitality industry is a very dynamic and dramatically growing sector, which constantly faces changing trends, various consumer behaviors, and keen competitiveness by exploiting emerging market opportunities and brand differentiation.

Beware: Regional development benefits with State aid implications

(by Patrik Tomeš)

Prepared by AmCham member: Barger Prekop

Attracting low-cost airlines to regional airports is a popular way to spur regional development. Competition is fierce among regional airports and airlines take advantage of this competition to demand reduced rates under the threat of moving their flights to other airports. Unfortunately, providing incentives to airlines can be considered as State aid.

Our education system needs fixing

(by Patrik Tomeš)

Interview with František Jakab, Chair of AmCham Business-Academic Cooperation Committee

The key objective of AmCham´s “2012: The Year of Education” initiative was to link education with the needs of employers in order to boost the employment prospects of graduates in the Slovak labor market. This initiative was conceived by the members of the AmCham Committee on Business-Academic Cooperation and a group of experts from schools and universities.

Cisco Academy Handlová – Alma mater of young computer experts

(by Patrik Tomeš)

Prepared by AmCham member: Cisco

The Secondary School in Handlová offers talented students an internationally successful program called “Cisco Academy”, which presents a head start for future experts in computer networks. Mr. Ján Krausko, secondary school teacher and Cisco Academy Instructor, explains the background of this program.

Fitting universities and businesses onto the yoke of development

(by Patrik Tomeš)

Prepared by Institute of Information and the Prognoses of Education

The goal of the new national project “Universities as Engines of Development of a Knowledge-Based Society” is to adapt higher education to labor market needs. In the framework of the Operational Program Education, the project is co-financed from EU resources with more than 17 million euros.

Educational Policy Institute - better analysis for better policy

(by Patrik Tomeš)

Prepared by Education Policy Institute, Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of SR

The Educational Policy Institute (Inštitút vzdelávacej politiky) is the main analytical unit of the Slovak Ministry of Education. The Institute’s mission is to provide analysis, forecast, and strategic policy preparation. It’s efforts in 2013 are focused primarily on creating a strong analytical team.

Get inspired to do business better!

(by Patrik Tomeš)

Prepared by AmCham member: Pontis Foundation

Fair treatment of employees, ethical behavior, eco-friendly operations and products, and a positive approach to the community can lead to a better, more efficient, and more financially successful company. Questions relating to these topics are being addressed at various educational events this fall.

Up your skills in finance

(by Patrik Tomeš)

Prepared by AmCham member: ACCA

Today’s finance professionals face multiple demands as partners in business operation; as stewards of current and future corporate value with skills in strategic planning, risk management, business analysis, and internal control; and as experts in finance operations and high-efficiency transaction processing.

Learning outside of the school walls

(by Patrik Tomeš)

Prepared by IUVENTA - Slovak Youth Institute 

One of the main themes of the “Innovative Learning Forum“ – held in June 2013 in Bratislava – was non-formal education. Since 2002, the EU has promoted the value of non-formal and informal learning for youth because there is great potential to achieve the objectives of the Lisbon Strategy through them. Let us explain what is this all about.

The tool for making the right decisions

(by Patrik Tomeš)

Prepared by AmCham member: Children of Slovakia Foundation

A standard company should welcome a client who is able to make informed financial and other life-related decisions. Such a company wishes to gain customers by means of their unique product and not to take advantage of customers’ lack of knowledge.

Another brick in the wall?

(by Patrik Tomeš)

Prepared by AmCham member: QSI International School of Bratislava

While schools need to assess data to determine the effectiveness of their teaching, they should also foster creativity, both for students and teachers. There is a combination of science and art to teaching that we must nurture. And while students must master subject area fundamentals, we must also provide opportunities for them to express their creativity beyond successful test-taking.

Choosing a school

(by Patrik Tomeš)

Prepared by AmCham member: British International School, Bratislava

A major part of life as a school principal is helping parents choose the right school for their child. What are the crucial aspects to take into consideration in order to make a well-informed decision?

The smart way of language training

(by Patrik Tomeš)

Prepared by AmCham member: ETS Global Eastern Europe

Training Manager’s Diary: “We’ve been training our employees for five years now. The language school claims that all trainees are progressing, but when we need to send someone to take part in an international project or to make a presentation in English – there’s no one to choose from.” Read how to avoid this scenario.

Educating teachers of English

(by Patrik Tomeš)

Interview with Klaudia Bednárová, Head of the Slovak Association of Language Schools

The quality of English language teachers in Slovakia is not ideal. ELT FORUM, an international conference dedicated to English language teaching (ELT) organized by the Slovak Association of Language Schools, has been trying to improve the situation for three years now. This year more than 500 teachers attended the conference which hosted 35 Slovak and foreign speakers. Klaudia Bednárová, Head of the Association, tells us more about their work.