The objective of this paper is to explore the role of student theses developed in response to
specific firms’ problems under the supervision of university teachers as an innovative teaching
method with a high level of personal engagement. The paper presents the results of research based
on 150 interviews conducted in Krakow with team members engaged in preparation of student
theses (each consisting of a university teacher, a master or bachelor student, and a company
representative). The statistical analysis is based mainly on the Regression Tree Method and
Spearman correlation coefficient. The interview-based research among key actors involved in
preparation of firms’ problem-oriented student theses confirmed the high effectiveness of this
method of knowledge transfer from universities to industry. Thesis knowledge generated in this
process brings positive effects to firms, university supervisors and students. Along with an increase
in the assessment of practical skills obtained by students, the assessment of the suitability of work for
the enterprise increases. Also as the satisfaction rating for cooperation increases, the benefit rating in
the form of closer contacts with companies also increases. Satisfying results of university–industry
relations obtained through the process of applied thesis preparation could be achieved if different
kinds of stimulation types were implemented. On the side of the university, there should be
incentives dedicated to the institutional level as well as tools dedicated to individual researchers.
Studies have shown high usability of problem-oriented student theses. All parties to this process
recognize significant benefits, which confirms that this type of collaboration is a WIN-WIN situation.