CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

Abstract of 20 minutes speech:
The key questions to be addressed in this speech are:

1. Do traditional Quality Management systems, which originally are applied in a manufacturing environment, also contribute to the quality of VET?
2. What is the impact of the established QM-system on the perceived quality of VET services?
3. What are the consequences for managing quality and QM-systems in VET?

QM-systems in the VET-sector should contribute to the quality of VET. The essential differences between products and Education must have consequences for managing quality and QM-systems in VET. Quality in education and training is achieved by the efforts and the quality of teachers, trainers and coaches. Therefore, quality in VET cannot and will not exceed the quality of its teachers, trainers and coaches. Because of that QM-systems in VET should be linked to systems that promote and enhance the development of competences and performances of staff.

Profesor dr. Nguyen Tuan Anh is the vice president of Nguyen Tat Thanh University and a director of the Institute of International Education. His areas of work are strategic planning, especially after the Covid 19 crisis, teaching technique – global and creative teaching, e-learning, especially in the field of digitalization and project management in the field of sustainable tourism development. After completing his master’s degree at the University of New South Wales in Australia, he obtained his doctorate at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. He continues his scientific research work (since 2014) by teaching at the Ho Chi Minh University of Technology, at the undergraduate and postgraduate level, and at the International University at the postgraduate level. Teaching subjects are statistical quality control, systems engineering, inventory management, total quality management, logistics, simulation of industrial and service systems, planning, design of experiments and digitalization. Besides to his academic contribution, he also collaborates a lot with the economy, both at home and abroad. In the field of his work, he cooperated and still cooperates with other universities (with the International University, Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City (in 2013), with the International University, Vietnam State University – Ho Chi Minh City (in 2018 and 2020), with Da Nang University – Da Nang (2022)). He has published many scientific articles, such as Industry 4.0 Competencies: A Model for the Vietnamese Workforce, Industrial and Commercial Training; Benchmarking Industrial Engineering Programs, Benchmarking: An International Journal; A Structured Approach to Design a Hybrid Cellular Layout for Jobshop and others. In the field of cooperation with the economy, he is a valued expert for consulting on Industry 4.0 (as an element in the development of economies and as an element of scientific studies and forecasts). For his work, he has received many prestigious awards from foreign universities and economies, such as the VEF Visiting scholar grant at Purdue University (2015), the title of Honorary Professor of Meiho University, the Insignia of Ho Chi Minh City (2014), the Certificate of Merit by Ministry of Education and Training (2013), Certificate of Merit by Ministry of Trade and Industry. In 2010 and 2011, however, he received an award in the form of a grant by the British Council for developing the training curriculum of opthalmic dispensing.

As an expert in the described fields, he will present at the conference a Vietnamese perspective on the competencies needed by employees to face the disruptions brought by Industry 4.0. Through the results of an online survey, a Delphi study, and focus groups, the skill sets, abilities, knowledge, and personalities critical to a skilled workforce will be presented. Insights from the study could contribute to improving human resource development and capacity building not only in Vietnam but also in other developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region. This will also be a good starting point for getting to know Asian guests and tourists, and above all the labor force that is increasingly coming to Europe from this part of the world.

The goal of the project is to transform Zabok High School into a center of high-quality, practical and internationally oriented education and training for tourism and hospitality, intended for students at secondary and tertiary level of education, teachers and mentors, employers and employees of all stakeholders in tourism in the region.  The goal is for Zabok High School to become a regional center for education and training of personnel in tourism and hospitality, as well as a center of development and innovation, a treasure of ideas and new trends in the quality of service delivery.

The following steps are involved in the implementation of project activities: the establishment of the work-development organization of RCKTU Zabok, the development and improvement of educational programs and curricula of RCKTU Zabok, the strengthening of the competences of teachers and mentors, the development of innovation and cooperation, and the promotion of professional occupations and the operation of RCKTU Zabok.

The project is implemented within the Operational Program “Effective Human Resources 2014-2020”, priority axis 3 “Education and lifelong learning”, investment priority 10iv “Improving the importance of education systems and training systems for the labor market, facilitating the transition from school to employment, strengthening vocational education and training systems and their quality, including mechanisms for knowledge and skills planning, curriculum adaptation and the introduction and development of workplace learning systems, including dual learning systems and apprenticeship programmes”, of specific objective 10iv1 “Updating the offer of vocational education and raising its quality for greater employability of students and opportunities for further education”

The project is co-financed by the European Union from the European Social Fund.

On Thursday, 27^th of October 2022, Mrs. Ivana Pilko Čunčić, Head of the Department for Secondary Education and Adult Education at the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia and Mrs. Vesna Hrvoj-Šic, head of the Department for Vocational Education at the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Croatia, they will present us the establishment of Centers of excellence in the Republic of Croatia. In the following, Mrs. Draženka Jurec, the principal of Zabok High School will present their example of transforming the school into one of the Centers of excellence in the hospitality and tourism sector.

Ivana Pilko Čunčić, Director of Sector for Secondary and Adult Education (Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia)

Vesna Hrvoj Šic, Head of Department for Vocational Education and Training (Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia)

Draženka Jurec, Principal of Zabok High School, Zabok, Republic of Croatia

Making signature cocktails by authors

At the cocktail workshop, students of the BIC Ljubljana Vocational College, under the mentorship of Boštjan Humski, will prepare and serve three of their signature cocktail creations, with which they took the top places in international competitions. They will prepare:

Argus cocktail – creation and preparation by Luka Strajn 🏅 1st place and gold medal at the international bartending competition G&T Cup Bled 2019.

Kranjska sivka cocktail – Lana Kokl and Jošt Bertalanič 🏅2. place at the international culinary competition Biser mora 2022.

Perkamndelc cocktail – Lara Šoštar Pribožič 🏅 3rd ​​place at the international bartending competition G&T Cup Bled 2022.

You will discover what the main ingredients are and what is the secret of a good cocktail at the workshop. Welcome to join us!

Dušan Matičič, GOAT STORY: A walk through the world of specialty coffee

In the workshop, we will showcase the difference between “ordinary” and “specialty” coffee and how restaurateurs can attract more guests by focusing on offering high-quality coffee. Satisfied guests might then become their greatest promoters because of the quality.

Workshop program:

☕ What is specialty coffee and how is it different from ordinary coffee?

☕ Walk through different types of coffee, methods of processing and roasting – all supported by practical demonstrations and coffee tasting. We will taste a whole range of coffees, from commercial ones, through the entire spectrum of specialty coffees, all the way to the best coffees in the world, the price of which reaches several hundred euros per kilogram of green coffee.

☕ Current challenges of the coffee industry or who profits the most from your cup of coffee and who really should benefit from it?

☕ Specialty cafés best practices examples from Slovenia and the world

PhD. Uroš Novak has been the head of the research group for Bioplastics, biocomposites, and zero-waste technologies at the Department of Catalysis and Reaction Engineering at the Institute of Chemistry in Ljubljana since 2017 and co-founder of two start-up companies.

Graduated in Chemical engineering in 2010, and a doctor’s degree in 2014 in Chemical Sciences, both at the University of Ljubljana. For his thesis on Chemical engineering, he received the Award for Contribution to the Sustainable Development of the Republic of Slovenia (Slovenian Fund for Personnel Development and Scholarships).

In 2010 he started his scientific/research career at the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology of the University of Ljubljana as a young researcher. He continued as a researcher on the EU project.

As a leader of his research group at the National Institute of Chemistry, he explores how to connect scientific excellence with applied research through numerous projects which run through consortia or in collaboration with start-ups and industry.

In 2019, he and his colleagues won the Excellence in Science award from the Slovenian Research Agency for Chemical Engineering.

Dr. Novak is a researcher with more than 10 years of experience in biomaterials, chemical engineering, and biotechnology and is the author of more than 40 scientific articles and more than 150 contributions at conferences. dr. Novak is the coordinator of two EU HORIZON projects and a participant in four with a total value of €24.3 million.

Through the successful management of the BioApp project, where he was also the coordinator, he also began to apply his experience in the business and industry, where he helps to establish technological start-up enterprises.

With the start-up 123zero, he became a 2019 finalist in the prestigious competition supported by European Commission EU-Social innovation.

The link between science and innovation dr. Novak applies as Coordinator of the platform BioApp – plastic free lifestyle, which establishes a sustainable flow of information between stakeholders, including eco-design, and in the production of products from innovative natural biopolymer materials, and offers appropriate development services focused on the needs of the food, cosmetic and health industries. His passion is transforming science into actionable solutions to improve the quality of life without an impact on natural resources to preserve them for future generations.

MARTIN​ ROJNIK

founder and director, Grashka

Growing up on an organic high mountain farm connected Martin Rojnik to the land, and this relationship with nature also dictated his business career. More than ten years of experience in the field of marketing and project management for the largest advertising agencies in the Balkans was followed by a two-year training as a chef in more than ten restaurants; among others, he also worked for some Michelin-starred restaurants, such as the German Rutz (3 stars) and Hugos (1 star). In Slovenia, he also worked with Ana Roš​, the best ​female ​cook in the world, from Hiša Franko, which boasts two stars.

In 2014, he co-founded the S.U.R.F. Institute, which has held more than 300 food and catering events and educational programs. In 2018, he became the co-founder and CEO of Kucha, which in its first year of operation ranked 25th among the 50 best vegan restaurants in Europe and developed a wide range of plant-based products. In 2021, he launched the new Grashka brand based on his own organic family farm on Graška Gora and production facilities in Velenje, with the desire to develop innovative plant-based food products and regenerative agriculture practices. 

​Cultivating a responsible food system 

Our dietary habits and agricultural practices have never been more important in conserving the planet’s natural resources and ecosystems than they are now. With free trade, globalization and one-click market reach, we have become dependent on foreign food imports. Many crises show us that our food model will not survive the next century, so we must create a new one. Communities that secure a reliable source of local and natural plant nutrients will ensure a secure future for new generations. A radical transformation of agriculture towards regenerative practices is needed to protect the soil, water and air. We want to grow food in laboratories and forget that we have the perfect environment ready if we don’t destroy it first. Reducing the impact of the food industry is much more complex than putting a vegan product on the table. A comprehensive solution is needed, covering the entire food journey from f​arm​ to fork.

Grashka is creating its own nutritional model based on the development of 100% natural and plant-based nutrients and building resilient short supply chains between growers, processing industry and distribution infrastructure. The company develops all key plant-based delicacies for an easy transition to a natural plant-based diet from regional ingredients. The development department uses ancient techniques of fermentation, dehydration and smoking combined with modern knowledge. They aim to build a food system for the distribution of natural plant proteins in Central Europe and to expand to other markets as an example of good practice.

Ana & Boštjan Klun, Klun Studio, Slovenia

Klun is. The antithesis of instant. A counterweight to the light. Complicated simplicity. An imaginary reality. Created reality. Experience the idea. Permanent hipness. Complete difference. A tangible future. Trapped in the present. Imprinted eternity. Ruined banality. Klun is. Klun we are. Here for you.

We do not limit ourselves to the media. We know and take into account their laws, but we also firmly believe that creativity is universal, it just manifests itself differently every time, unencumbered by the final form or carrier. We extract the idea that differentiates you and make sure that others notice it too.

The works are freed from unnecessary kitsch. The messages are clear and direct, with them we step from the ranks of equals. The products are aesthetically perfect and acceptable to the widest circle, and there is a hidden multi-meaning symbolic note in each one, visible at first glance only to the most attentive.

Each product is unique and the result of research – sources, wishes, (with) possibilities. Each project is unique, but at the same time has a common point with all the previous ones: the commitment of the multidisciplinary team of creators to the search for a superior look and the most effective client’s presentation.

For those who don’t try, who look beyond the pleasing and are not immediately tempted, and for those who understand that business relationships are governed by contracts, but at the same time respect the process and commitment that initials cannot articulate. For those who have come to stay or to join those who have been here for generations.