Innovation of educational process as a factor of enhancing competitiveness

Abstract

The article focuses on the issues of higher education and its priorities. It defines the factors affecting competitiveness of universities. The study contains findings of several conducted primary surveys, in both the target group of commercial entities and university students. The study puts into context readiness of graduates for their start in practical business, requirements for the practice with regard to professional and personal qualities of graduates, and the current issues of graduates in the managements of companies and organizations. The objective of the study is to analyze the current impact of the educational process quality in the criterion of preparing students for their start in the world of business and practice, and the requirements on university graduates. The output of the study is an evaluation model measuring the efficiency of innovative features in teaching and leading to enhancing competitiveness of educational institutions, to brand building of educational institutions, in the current competitive environment and in relation to the decline of the demographic curve seeming to become the strategically fundamental task of universities. © The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology.