Introduction

In a globalized business environment, where enterprises need managers that are internationally mobile and who can quickly adapt to fast-changing circumstances, maintaining close links with the industry helps schools in structuring appropriate curricula, and in ensuring that courses adequately cover emerging business issues (quality assurance, business ethics, corporate governance, intercultural communication, managing in a global environment, ICT, public policy, the regulatory environment, etc).

Maintaining close links with the business community provides many additional benefits for both sides, such as for example creating a database system (at the local and/or European level) for employment opportunities for graduates, conducting research projects, offering consultancy and training courses, providing material for case studies, or business leaders serving as mentors for students for their theses or entrepreneurship projects.

These and many other initiatives contribute to bridging the gap that currently exists between schools and enterprises. It is a win-win situation!