ABSTRACT

The digital economy and Industry 4.0 have reshaped the competencies required of engineering graduates. Employers increasingly seek professionals who combine technical knowledge with systems thinking process awareness, analytical adaptability, and the capacity to work in technologically advanced environments. This shift presents a strategic challenge for higher education institutions, which must ensure that competency development remains aligned with labour market needs. This paper examines how industrial robotics and university-industry collaboration can support the development and management of Industry 4.0 competencies in engineering education. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research focuses on an educational intervention conducted at a private university in southern Poland. The intervention integrated robotics-based laboratory activities with a structured study visit to a manufacturing company. The findings suggest that hands-on experience with an industrial robot, combined with direct exposure to real production processes, enhances students’ understanding of industrial workflows, increases engagement, strengthens career awareness, and supports the acquisition of skills relevant to the digital economy. The paper concludes that such initiatives should be viewed not only as teaching improvements, but also as strategic managerial responses to the need for curriculum relevance, stakeholder cooperation, knowledge transfer, and quality-oriented adaptation in higher education.