University Of Zilina Research Articles

Investigating the English Language Needs of Students at the University of Zilina

Abstract This paper focuses on investigating the needs of students of ESP courses at the University of Zilina via needs analysis questionnaire. The results of the research reveal the necessity to reconsider the content of the study material at language courses at the university to satisfy the students’ subject needs as well as the needs of the international job market by implementing activities enhancing the communicative competence in ESP.

GTN - Information System Supporting the Dispatcher and Remote Tracks Control

When constructing new corridor tracks, but also when reconstructing the existing ones of all categories, new significant improvements and innovations occur in the contruction area. Consequently, the same phenomenon occurs in the newly installed securing, interlocking and signalling equipment, and generally enabling also remote track control. The traffic information and controlling system (hereinafter the GTN) being developed by the Software Technologies Department of the University of Zilina in cooperation with the AZD Praha Company, represents a graphical and technological extention of the electronic signalling equipment. It contains a compact data, technology and software model of railway operation, enabling to receive information from the securing, interlocking and signalling equipment, as well as from other information and controlling railway systems, about trains' movement. It also enables to save, display and document the traffic progression, trains movement and technological operations on them. Last but not least, it provides opportunity to display the anticipated prognosis of the traffic situation, and transmit information about trains movement towards external IS, e. g. the passenger information systems at the stations etc. Currently, the GTN system has been implemented and used in several versions on the Czech and Slovak Railways tracks. Hereby we would like to introduce its latest solution based on distributed architecture using a database system.

Nontraditional Approach to Studying Science and Technology

The present paper informs about nontraditional teaching activities which can help teachers and students to reach better results in the studying process. Information and communication technologies (ICT) in physics education can help to increase the effectivity of the teaching process. For students, physical analysis using computer programs is more demonstrative, learning physical equations is quicker, understanding of the physical laws is easier. It is necessary to catch them young. Because of this reason the Children's University of Zilina (CUZ) has been realized in the summer time for children attending elementary school. The questionnaires for children show that it is highly necessary to increase the number of presented experiments, to use multimedia in a larger extent, to develop their imagination and creativity, sense for team work. The interest in nature and technology subjects can be increased by developing the student's imagination and thinking.

Zilina University Concept of Digital Factory

This paper focuses on the Digital Factory technologies, the areas of their application, as well as its benefits for industry. The paper presents the Digital Factory concept built in the framework of co-operation of the University of Zilina and the Central European Institute of Technology (CEIT).

Innovation in engineering education based on the implementation of e-education

This article explores issues relating to innovation in engineering education arising from the implementation of e-education. This can be correlated with innovation in general. We describe a systematic approach to innovative design and utilise this approach in engineering education. The main emphasis is on the presentation of attitudes, approaches and the outcomes resulting from the experiences at the University of Zilina, within the project “Using of ICT and new generation networks platform in education”. This project was carried out over the past three years within the framework of the state research and development program.

The microcomputer converter of the telex signal

This paper deals with a structure and a description of the microcomputer converter of the telex signal (MCTS) that we developed for the Slovak Telecom. The microcomputer converter was developed within the International contract between Hungary Telecommunication Association Matav, Slovak Telecom in Bratislava, and Department of Telecommunications at the University of Zilina. We made the following tasks: design, debugging and testing of the resident program of the converter. After evaluation of the prototype by the company Matav 150 pieces of the converters, were manufactured and then successfully implemented in the TELEX exchange in Slovak Telecom in Bratislava for continuous operation.

Centre for Transport Research University of Zilina

CETRA - Institute of Transport at the University of Žilina has been selected for support by the European Commission within the "Support for Research Infrastructures in the New Associated States" project within the EU 5th Framework Programme. The support is oriented and used towards organisation of international conferences, workshops, participation in the international conferences and workshops, publication of research results and longtermworking stages of scientific staff at CETRA.

The Effect of Population Density on Infrastructure: The Case of Road Building

A cross-sectional analysis of 113 countries in 1968 indicates that population density has a significant and strong effect on total road density. An elasticity of 0.73 of road density with respect to population density was obtained. Time-series analysis confirmed this finding. An elasticity higher than unity was obtained for paved road construction. The effect on unpaved roads was somewhat smaller (0.6 elasticity) but still significant. These results suggest that population increases produce more available infrastructure/worker. The effects of both population density and per capita income on road construction are influenced by the stage of economic development. When the sample was divided into 3 income subsamples increased population density and per capita income were found to cause the substitution of paved for unpaved roads in the richer countries. At lower levels of income per capita income is less important than population density in influencing road construction since village volunteer labor can be substituted for money expenditures.