The New Future and the Employment Imperative: Effectively Aligning Student Interest, Industry Needs and University Programmes
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| Title: | The New Future and the Employment Imperative: Effectively Aligning Student Interest, Industry Needs and University Programmes |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Abhilasha Singh (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education. 2024 16(2):469-482. |
| Availability: | Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 14 |
| Publication Date: | 2024 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Employment, Student Interests, Labor Market, College Graduates, Employment Qualifications, Job Skills, Benchmarking, Foreign Countries, Knowledge Level, Job Search Methods, Employment Potential, Knowledge Economy, Discourse Analysis, College Role |
| Geographic Terms: | United Arab Emirates |
| DOI: | 10.1108/JARHE-09-2022-0285 |
| ISSN: | 2050-7003 1758-1184 |
| Abstract: | Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences between labour market requirements in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the 21st century and university graduates' level of knowledge, skills and aspects of competence (KSAs) qualification benchmark. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a discourse analysis methodology, which is a qualitative and interpretive method of analysing texts. The content for the analysis was extracted from Scopus, Ebscohost, Proquest, Google Scholar, Web of Science, news, publications, thesis papers, dissertations and other research papers. A narrative approach for analysing the content was adopted. Findings: The findings reveal that new graduates often encounter difficulties in searching for jobs due to a lack of awareness of how to conduct an employment search that best aligns their KSA with the requirements and needs of the labour market. The study concludes that to increase the employability of graduates, higher education institutions should reduce the KSAs gap by collaborating with the private sector and providing students with relevant, industry-based job experience before graduation. Originality/value: This study investigates the gap between graduate KSAs and labour market requirements in the 21st-century UAE. The findings of the study encapsulate the weaknesses and shortcomings of the current educational systems amid the reform agenda in the UAE. It also deliberates upon the state-of-the-art recommendations regarding making the country a knowledge-based economy and society. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2024 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1415526 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences between labour market requirements in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the 21st century and university graduates' level of knowledge, skills and aspects of competence (KSAs) qualification benchmark. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a discourse analysis methodology, which is a qualitative and interpretive method of analysing texts. The content for the analysis was extracted from Scopus, Ebscohost, Proquest, Google Scholar, Web of Science, news, publications, thesis papers, dissertations and other research papers. A narrative approach for analysing the content was adopted. Findings: The findings reveal that new graduates often encounter difficulties in searching for jobs due to a lack of awareness of how to conduct an employment search that best aligns their KSA with the requirements and needs of the labour market. The study concludes that to increase the employability of graduates, higher education institutions should reduce the KSAs gap by collaborating with the private sector and providing students with relevant, industry-based job experience before graduation. Originality/value: This study investigates the gap between graduate KSAs and labour market requirements in the 21st-century UAE. The findings of the study encapsulate the weaknesses and shortcomings of the current educational systems amid the reform agenda in the UAE. It also deliberates upon the state-of-the-art recommendations regarding making the country a knowledge-based economy and society. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2050-7003 1758-1184 |
| DOI: | 10.1108/JARHE-09-2022-0285 |
