Research and innovation center as a factor of the vocational education performance

The basic objective of the research consisted in the conceptualization of research and innovation centers as well as the elucidation of their significance as a factor for increasing the quality of the higher education offer. In order to achieve the mentioned objective, the following research methods were used: the synthesis of the conceptual approaches of the research and innovation centers, the opinion poll method, the generalization of good operating practices of research and innovation centers in different universities. Based on the educational, economic and social impact that can be exerted by research and innovation centers, their significance for increasing the effectiveness of professional education was argued.