A talent ecosystem does not arise by itself: it is formed by universities, companies, the city and the region – and their decisions. The discussion by Miroslav Beblavý and Jiří Nantl showed why Bratislava is hitting the limits of spontaneous growth and what tools it lacks. It also highlighted how regional authorities, linking practice with study, and the new European Campus in Hainburg can help.
Who holds the ecosystem together
South Moravia has grown also thanks to a strong regional innovation agency (JIC-type) that connects players and maintains continuity across electoral cycles; similar structures now operate in Prague as well. In Bratislava such an authority is noticeably missing, even though the city naturally attracts people and activities. Bolder ideas were voiced too: more room for asymmetric decentralization, a stronger mandate for regions, and greater responsibility for innovation and education. As a discussion proposal, it was also suggested that regions should have greater influence over the governance of universities and the allocation of resources – with the understanding that changing the “food” in the ecosystem significantly changes the behavior of actors.
Link education with practice – from Bratislava to Hainburg
Students in Bratislava often work already during their studies, frequently in qualified positions – this is strong potential that schools make little use of. Instead of formal committees, what would help is a map of student work, systematic recognition of practice, and connecting syllabi with real tasks. European trends call for validation of non-formal education, crediting work, and modular pathways through micro-credentials. The goal is to combine a solid theoretical foundation with the flexibility that today’s generations naturally expect.
In Austria, universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) have a legal obligation to connect with practice: half of the teaching staff come from industry, dual study is common, and accreditation follows market needs. This framework maintains contact with reality while also protecting the quality of content. A similar bridge is what European Campus Hainburg near Bratislava wants to build – small in number (around 500 students), yet with the ambition to be a cross-border pillar. The joint programs being prepared with universities in Bratislava and Brno can set in motion the flow of talent, ideas, and investments across the entire triangle.
