Title: Improving competitiveness between EU rural regions through access to tertiary education and sources of innovation

Authors: Iona Cecily Moore Kirkpatrick; Tatjana Horvat; Vito Bobek

Addresses: University of Applied Sciences FH Joanneum, Eggenberger Allee 11, 8020 Graz, Austria ' Faculty of Management, University of Primorska, Cankarjeva 5, 6000 Koper, Slovenia ' University of Applied Sciences FH Joanneum, Eggenberger Allee 11, 8020 Graz, Austria

Abstract: The aim of this research is to highlight the relationship between tertiary education, nutritional standards and agricultural production. The authors performed the comparative theoretical analysis. The evidence shows that rural areas are lacking in role models and motivation, coupled with poor dietary standards and poorly educated elder generations. Two main issues arise from this: a society with a lack of social mobility due to poor educational standards, poor social health involving cases of childhood obesity, malnourishment and underachievement. Our solution would address the issues by putting in place a comprehensive plan of action, catering to the needs of both the educational and agricultural systems in marginalised, rural areas. The paper goes on to expand the idea of a synthesis of the two major sectors - access to tertiary education, and innovation - with a view to reaching the above goals, i.e. regional competitiveness, social welfare, viable economies and knowledge creation.

Keywords: access to tertiary education; innovation systems; networking; intellectual property.

DOI: 10.1504/IJDIPE.2020.109633

International Journal of Diplomacy and Economy, 2020 Vol.6 No.1, pp.26 - 40

Received: 14 Mar 2020
Accepted: 21 Apr 2020
Published online: 17 Sep 2020 *

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