Practical training: linking knowledge with experience

The main goal of a Technical University is to provide an engineering education of high quality, whilst also preparing the graduates for useful roles in different fields of the economy. Technical Universities tend to focus on general engineering knowledge, as well as essential elements of research. Contrary to Classic Universities, engineering studies should involve more than just theoretical education and must give the students proper background for entry into the engineering profession. Recent trends emerging in Lithuania include privatisation, restructuring and industrial reform. These have contributed to interrupting existing academy-industry connections. The engineering students' considerable need for practical training at the University can be met only partly. The government and laws should support cooperation between academy and industry through tax allowances for training placements and other economic levers. Such support will encourage universities to introduce sandwich-type courses and economy structures, which will in turn provide for a greater number of industrial training places.