The Faculty of Economics and Finance of the University of Economics in Bratislava is constantly trying to push the boundaries of international cooperation and offer its students access to the latest knowledge and experiences from different corners of the world. One of the latest steps that will significantly enrich the study options is the conclusion of a double degree agreement with SolBridge International School of Business at Woosong University in South Korea for the Finance, Banking and Insurance study program. This double degree offers the opportunity to gain education and practical experience from a dynamic Asian environment, which can significantly influence students' future career options.
SolBridge International School of Business at Woosong University in South Korea, founded in 2007, is an international business school located in Korea's Silicon Valley Daejeon that prepares students to become the next generation of Asian leaders in the fast-growing and fast-changing the Asian economy. The school is accredited by AACSB and is the youngest school to receive this prestigious accreditation (just seven years after its establishment). The school boasts a strong international environment, where most teaching takes place in English and students come from more than 70 different countries, giving it a multicultural character.
What led to the choice of this particular partner institution? What are the expected benefits for students and faculty? How will applicants be selected and why should students consider this unique opportunity in the context of global career opportunities and personal development?
We talked about these topics with the dean of the Faculty of Economics and Finance at EUBA, Erika Pastoráková.
What led Faculty of Economics and Finance EUBA to choose South Korea and SolBridge International School of Business at Woosong University as a partner for the double degree?
Several impulses led to the conclusion of the double degree agreement. The University of Economics in Bratislava has a long-standing cooperation with SolBridge through the Erasmus+ KA171 project, within which several bilateral student and employee mobilities have been carried out so far. Already implemented student exchanges have shown that our study programs are related and that there is a demand for this kind of double degree (DD) at both partner universities. For double degree programs, it is crucial that the exchange of students is not one-sided, but that both partner institutions participate in both sending and receiving students. Another reason was the expansion of opportunities to study DD also in the Asian region, as this region has great potential for expanding knowledge and skills for our students.
What concrete benefits do you expect from cooperation with SolBridge International School of Business at Woosong University not only for the students of the finance, banking and insurance program, but also for the Faculty of Economics and Finance EUBA?
The cooperation provides students with the opportunity to gain international experience from a key Asian environment characterized by a high level of innovation and digitization, which undoubtedly increases their competitiveness in the global labor market. Students will improve their intercultural communication skills and adaptability in a different environment - key qualities in the globalized financial sector. At SolBridge, students have the opportunity to choose specially focused subjects that focus on, for example, technology and innovation, data analysis, sports management or even K-ACE (Korean Arts, Creativity and Entertainment Industry), which will bring them more comprehensive and diverse knowledge and skills. During the exchange, students will have the opportunity to build a global network of peers and professionals that can be valuable for their future career opportunities in finance, banking and insurance. Last but not least, for the faculty, we see this step as an incentive to further develop cooperation with SolBridge, for example, in the area of joint research projects or other teacher exchanges.
How will students be selected for this double degree and what are the conditions they must meet?
We expect the selection of students at the Faculty of Economics and Finance EUBA at the end of the winter or at the beginning of the summer semester, so that students have the opportunity to also apply for a scholarship to cover travel and accommodation costs. We will inform about the selection process in due time. Students will have to fulfill all study obligations, a letter of motivation and a certificate of language skills will also be a matter of course. On the plus side, SolBridge will waive tuition fees for DD students, which is not negligible. The possibility of a double degree is intended for students in the Slovak as well as in the English study program Finance, Banking and Insurance.
Why would you recommend students to choose this double degree program, especially in the context of global career opportunities and personal development?
The double degree program represents an interesting challenge for students at the Faculty of Economics and Finance EUBA who want to maximize their career opportunities and acquire skills that are usable in a globalized environment. The double degree with SolBridge combines the strengths of both institutions and offers a comprehensive study program that integrates European and Asian specificities in the fields of finance and business. Understanding different economic and financial systems, procedures and business cultures will enable students to navigate them perfectly. These experiences and skills will enable them to excel in a variety of jobs, whether in multinational corporations or global financial institutions.
