Public-private partnerships are crucial for bridging the gap between the skills students acquire and the competencies required by industry. The "Triple Helix" model of the interactions between university, industry, and government can advance innovation as each sector communicates and collaborates. At the University of Novi Sad, science and technology parks help transfer knowledge to businesses and drive local economic growth. However, student companies in Serbia face obstacles like a lack of experience being seen as a disadvantage and insufficient support from faculties despite the benefits they provide in skill and knowledge transfer. More must be done to stimulate commercialization of innovations and support student enterprises.

1. Public Private Partnership as a Crucial Instrument for Bridging the Gap between Acquired Skills and New Competence Requirements Viktorija Bojovi ć , MA 9th INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM INTERDISCIPLINARY REGIONAL RESEARCH

2. Brief intro Public Private Partnerships Triple Helix Model UNS activities toward STPs What about students? Concluding remarks 1 2 3 4 5

5. Triple Helix = Mode 2 Three helices that advance together through dense and nonlinear communication and negotiations Industry Academia Government

8. Model implemented at UNS

9. Typology of Managed Workspace

10. Knowledge measurement www.inovacija.org research science development technology innovation

11. The Best Technology Innovation Competition Contestants 900 Ideas/teams 346 Teams in second round 170 Firms during competition 9 Contestants 900 Ideas/teams 254 Teams in second round 180 Firms during competition 8 Contestants 928 Ideas/teams 257 Teams in second round 178 Firms during competition ? 2005 2006 2007

13. Student companies benefits Transfer of theoretical knowledge Intensification of „soft skills“ Get to know business processes Networking Financial aspects Students

14. Student companies benefits Increase name recognition & image Achieving of competitive advantages Possibility for new partnerships Transfer practice  theory Universities Knowledge transfer Soft skills Business process Finances Students

15. Student companies benefits Make use of new and creative ideas High knowledge + high motivation Student consulting firms are cheaper Potential employees Knowledge transfer Soft skills Business process Finances Students UNIs Image & name Competitiveness Partnerships Transfer practice Firms

19. Thank you for your attention Viktorija Bojovi ć , MA [email_address]