Exploring university- industry experience in education and employability of Nigerian graduates
The importance of university education lies in the development of certain skills in the areas of knowledge and learning that provides a basic understanding approach with regard to industrial production. The main aim and objective of this study are based on the experience of university-industry in...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2019
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113343/1/113343.pdf |
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| Summary: | The importance of university education lies in the development of certain skills in the
areas of knowledge and learning that provides a basic understanding approach with
regard to industrial production. The main aim and objective of this study are based on
the experience of university-industry in education and employability among Nigerian
graduates is a concern about skills, knowledge and characteristics that will help
students /graduates gain employment. Employability skills are the transferable core
skills that individuals need to make them work. The purpose of this study is based on
Nigerian employers and industries that are increasingly driving the university to focus
more on employability skills to improve the performance of graduates. This study
reviews various literature and interviews, collective expert voice, industry employer
experience, university professional and academic opinions, on how to develop and
improve employment skills among Nigerian graduates. The study decided to select
participants and field of study where they were informed about the problems of the
study and control phenomena have also been investigated. The study uses qualitative
descriptive methods, employing twelve participants in target groups such as four
members comprising graduates who have worked, four deans of faculty members at
the university (Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State) and four industry
managers (Nigeria Breweries). This study uses interviews, documents, and
observations as a primary source of data collection. However, this study shows that
the skills sought in the industry are communication skills such as writing assignments
and reports, presentation of reports or assignments in the classroom, and customer
service tasks, teamwork such as working with others in the main task area, as well as
in solving problems such as technological skills such as computerized skills,
information technology skills, and workplace training, leadership skills, diligence and
motivation, ability to work in stressful situations, self-esteem, analytical skills,
creativity and positive attitude. In addition, the findings show the Student Industrial
Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) or Industrial Training (IT), workplace training,
workshops, induction and training exercises aimed at providing both graduates and
students to be familiar with industrial work and gain efficiency. Therefore, studies
show that there is a link between university and industry in Nigeria through
partnerships in industrial development training and entrepreneurial development
training, but a lack of stakeholder co-operation and coordination. Undoubtedly, this
study shows that universities design and develop employability skills in their
curriculum to improve the performance of graduates in industrial work activities if
they are employed. In most cases, employability development has no practical support
and largely theoretical, not practicing because of government political instability. In
addition, this study identified the challenges facing Nigerian universities on their
graduates' employability as insufficient funding to conduct research, poor
infrastructure, crowded classrooms, inconsistent energy supplies, for example,
electricity for using internet facilities, poor library facilities, as lack of improvements
in information technology.
Therefore, this study suggests that universities should make their teaching more
practical-oriented, allowing students to participate in more extracurricular activities,
inviting hiring managers from the IT industry to conduct interactive sessions with
students, developing employability skills and upgrading at universities curriculum,
organizing discussion sessions between soft skills teachers and IT industry recruitment
managers, which have sufficient linkages between universities and industries to
enhance graduate work experience. Finally, the study suggests that universities should
engage in employment or open employment centres within the university in
collaboration with industrial management. Universities should coordinate and
promote academic activities; backing up; make changes, review their curriculum and
academia related to other stakeholders and participate in various industries. |
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