2017–2020

DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGY OF THE
POLYTECHNIC IN
POŽEGA

Summary

2017–2020 DEVELOPMENT
2017–2020 DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY OF THE POLYTECHNIC IN POŽEGA

1. INTRODUCTION

The 2017-2020 Development Strategy of the Polytechnic in Požega has been created on the
basis of objectives, mission and vision of operation of the Polytechnic, on assumptions of results
of a performed SWOT analysis of the Polytechnic, feedback provided by employees and
external stakeholders (alumni, employers, entrepreneurs etc.) i.e. everyone involved in
submission of proposals – and we are taking this opportunity to thank them. This document
therefore represents a strategic framework for development of teaching, professional and
scientific activities based on development of human and infrastructural resources and a quality
assurance system.

2. BASIC SITUATION ANALYSIS

The Polytechnic in Požega is currently established with departments it consists of: The
departments of the Polytechnic are:

1. The Agricultural Department with undergraduate professional study programmes of:

• Viticulture-Oenology-Pomology,
• Food Production Technology.
2. The Social Sciences Department with undergraduate professional study programmes of:
• Accounting,
• Trade,
• Administration,

and a specialist diploma study programme of:

• Commercial Transactions.

The Polytechnic employs 29 teachers. The number includes 5 lecturers, 16 senior lecturers and
8 higher education professors.

There is a unit established within the framework of the Agricultural Department for
advancement of the profession, performance of practical teaching activities, professional and
scientific activities within the framework of the viticulture-oenology-pomology study
programme, specifically the Vineyard Cottage and Wine Storage teaching base and the “Wine
Cellar and Laboratory” teaching facility (also including perennial crops – a vineyard – as a
teaching facility).

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Administrative and legal, organisational, financial and accounting, information, statistical,

technical and other activities of the Polytechnic are performed at the seat of the Polytechnic.
(Academic Registrar, Financial and Accounting Service, Students’ Service, IT and Technical
Service and the Polytechnic Library). The Polytechnic employs 17 administrative and 4
technical employees.

The total area of the Polytechnic in Požega intended for teaching (lecture halls, the laboratory,
the wine cellar) covers 1072 m2.

In accordance with the decision of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, the State
Property Office of 24 February 2003, the Polytechnic in Požega has been assigned the entire
County Centre building for use without any compensation. Its designated use is regulated in an
agreement between the City of Požega and the Polytechnic. That is a piece of real property
where the Polytechnic in Požega performs the bulk of its teaching activities in all its
undergraduate professional studies and the single specialist diploma study programme and it is
located at Vukovarska ulica 17 in Požega. The building contains seven lecture halls and a
laboratory. In addition to the above building, the Polytechnic in Požega has at its disposal, at
the same site, 1600 m2 of sports grounds comprising 1 tennis court, 1 handball/football pitch
and 1 basketball court. The above grounds are used for performance of physical education. At
the same address, there is also a Student Entrepreneurs Incubator comprising an area of 54 m2
including an office, a retail shop and the business incubator. Also, there is the Student Centre
at the same site, and it comprises a students’ restaurant and a students’ café. It is precisely such
availability of student amenities at one site that ranks among advantages of our Polytechnic in
comparison with other similar polytechnics.

The teaching facility of Vineyard Cottage and Wine Storage of the Polytechnic in Požega is a
great advantage of physical facilities of the Polytechnic. It encompasses gross area of
515.71 m2, and it has been completed at a site to the north-east of the village of Podgorje, on
the southern slopes of Papuk. The facility houses the wine cellar, the wine storage, a tasting
room, rooms for storage of farming machinery and trailers, fertilisers, pesticides as well as
teaching premises – classrooms, studies, laboratories and tasting halls. The above facility is
physically and functionally directly linked to the vineyard teaching area and they jointly
comprise a teaching and demonstration whole where the bulk of practical teaching activities of
the Agricultural Department takes place. This is also one of the most important advantages of
the Polytechnic over similar polytechnics because students are afforded unique circumstances

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for practical work in a geographical vine growing area that ranks among the best in the Republic
of Croatia.

Among other data, the total number of students enrolled at the Polytechnic in Požega by
academic year should be pointed out:

• Academic year of 2010/11: 1987 students

• Academic year of 2011/12: 1894 students
• Academic year of 2012/13: 1726 students
• Academic year of 2013/14: 1530 students
• Academic year of 2014/15: 1377 students
• Academic year of 2015/16: 1241 students
• Academic year of 2016/17: 1145 students

Due to extent and type of data involved, a more detailed analysis is not found in this document.
Instead it is an integral part of other relevant documents approved by the Professional Council
(Report on key performance indicators in 2013-2015, 2015 financial report, Report on the
action plan for achievement of objectives and performance of activities in 2015 defined in the
2014-2016 Development Strategy of the Polytechnic in Požega, Report on implementation of
international cooperation strategy of the Polytechnic in Požega in 2015). Data contained in the
above documents have been taken in consideration in determination of objectives, measures
and priorities of this Strategy.

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3. VISION AND MISSION OF THE POLYTECHNIC IN POŽEGA

Vision

The Polytechnic in Požega would like to become a regional leader in the segment of higher
professional education and function as an excellence centre bringing together teaching,
professional and scientific activities in innovative and creative ways through transfers of know-
how to the satisfaction of all stakeholders.

Mission

The mission of the Polytechnic in Požega is higher education and lifelong learning in the field
of biotechnical and social sciences based on scientific and professional research and quality
assurance, international cooperation and cooperation with local community with the aim of
developing alumni corresponding to the needs of the economy and the labour market.

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4. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES OF THE POLYTECHNIC IN POŽEGA

Strategic objective 1: Good management

Effective management of material, human and financial resources with the aim of sustainable
development of the institution.

Strategic objective 2: Teaching process and lifelong learning

Performance of the existing undergraduate professional and specialist study programmes while
turning to the existing needs of the labour market and performance of lifelong learning
programmes for adults.

Strategic objective 3: Scientific research activities

Advancement of the institution’s publishing activity, publication of scientific papers of the

teaching staff, participation in scientific projects and organisation of scientific congresses.

Strategic objective 4: Professional activity

Publication of professional papers and learning aids, participation in professional projects and
organisation of professional congresses.

Strategic objective 5: Quadri-helix cooperation

Intensification of cooperation with external stakeholders in the scientific, economic, civil and
public sectors.

Strategic objective 6: International cooperation and mobility

Inclusion in the European Research Area (ERA) and the European Higher Education Area
(EHEA) as well as an increase of inbound and outbound mobility of students, teaching and
administrative staff.

Strategic objective 7: Student standard and student support

Development of student standard, active support to availability and study services through
inclusion of students in extracurricular activities.

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Strategic objective 8: Marketing of agricultural and food products

Effective management of agricultural areas and commercialisation of own products resulting

from the teaching activities.

Strategic objective 9: Quality assurance

Continuous improvements to the quality assurance system in compliance with the ESG norms.

5. CONCLUSION
Achievement of the defined strategic objectives means realisation of the vision and the mission
of the Polytechnic in Požega. Since the vision is the general situation we strive to achieve, the
strategic objectives are clearly formulated, measurable and attainable as demonstrated by the
Strategy implementation indicators.

In order to ensure transparency and continuous participation of stakeholders in implementation

of the Development Strategy of the Polytechnic, this Strategy shall be published and posted at
the web site www.vup.hr. The Strategy provides an overview of the objectives, priorities,
measures and description of activities accompanied with the expected results by individual
measures and an implementation schedule.

All stakeholders of this Strategy are hereby invited to partake in implementation of this strategic
development document and achievement of objectives set therein. After all, this Strategy, as a
planning document, aims to facilitate achievement of

smart, sustainable and inclusive growth of the Polytechnic in Požega until

2020.

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