The Economic Context of Higher Education in the Social Sciences

Radka Löwenhöfferová; Marková Jana

doi:10.3991/ijep.v16i4.59715

Authors

Radka Löwenhöfferová AMBIS Univerzita, a.s., Prague, Czech Republic https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4214-5366
Marková Jana AMBIS Univerzita, a.s., Prague, Czech Republic https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2321-2853

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijep.v16i4.59715

Keywords:

economic context of educatio, social science subject, higher education, graduate employability

Abstract

This paper examines the economic dimensions of social science subjects in higher education, focusing particularly on their value for students and their relevance to the labour market. Disciplines such as sociology, political science, psychology, economics, and philosophy play a crucial role in fostering critical thinking, yet their applicability and funding are frequently questioned. The paper also reflects on the role of social sciences within engineering and technical education, particularly in relation to curriculum design, transferable skills development, and interdisciplinary competence required in contemporary engineering practice. The aim of this text is to explore the economic impact of these subjects on students and how they reflect broader societal and economic contexts. The analysis draws on available statistical data, scholarly literature, and empirical studies, highlighting the differences between the social and natural sciences and their implications for education policy.

Author Biographies

Radka Löwenhöfferová, AMBIS Univerzita, a.s., Prague, Czech Republic

PhDr. Radka Löwenhöfferová, Ph.D., MBA

She has been working in the field of science, research and innovation for a long time, focusing on the higher education agenda, quality in education and research methodology. She has many years of experience in creating and implementing internal regulations of higher education institutions, certification and accreditation processes, as well as in implementing quality management systems (EFQM, ISO, TQM). In her publishing activities, she focuses mainly on issues of quality of education, student activation and innovative pedagogical and andragogic approaches. She works as a senior specialist for accreditation and quality of studies at AMBIS University, where she focuses on comprehensively ensuring processes related to the accreditation agenda of study programs.

Marková Jana, AMBIS Univerzita, a.s., Prague, Czech Republic

Jana Marková is an assistant professor and researcher at Ambis University in Prague, Czech Republic. She graduated from the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University in Prague with a degree in Economics and subsequently completed a doctoral program in Theoretical Economics at the same university. During her studies, she participated in economic and forecasting projects at the Center for Social and Economic Strategies at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University. She lectures and works as an expert at Ambis University and other professional institutions. She specializes in economic diplomacy and macroeconomics with a focus on pedagogical factors, as well as European integration and issues related to the single currency, the euro. She is the author of a number of professional articles in collective monographs, journals, and anthologies.