The Role of Dual Education Programmes in Smart Specialisation Strategies: the Case of Mondragon Unibertsitatea's Faculty of Engineering

Abstract

Universities have become key actors within regional innovation ecosystems through their roles in knowledge transfer, talent development, and industry collaboration. Dual education programmes, particularly at undergraduate level, enhance practical learning, facilitate the transition to employment, and reinforce university-industry engagement. In the Basque Country, the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) prioritises smart manufacturing, cleaner energy, and personalised health, relying on universities to advance these domains through structured learning and applied research. However, limited empirical evidence exists on the contribution of Bachelor’s (BT) and Master’s (MT) theses conducted in companies. This study examines BT/MT projects at MGEP and reveals stronger BT alignment with S3, especially in smart manufacturing, as well as consistent alignment across provinces.