ERIC Number: EJ1113709
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1175-2882
EISSN: N/A
Market Tested Business Education: Corporate Sector Perceptions of Saudi Graduates Competencies
Iqbal, Adnan; Zenchenkov, Mikhail
Asia-Pacific Journal of Cooperative Education, v15 n2 p91-106 2014
University-industry collaboration patterns in more advanced economies have greatly impacted expectations for higher educational systems in developing countries. In Saudi Arabia, generally poor innovation performance of domestic industry has been perceived as a constraint in global competitiveness. The purpose of this study was to determine if there were differences among employers, and university academicians on their perceptions of the importance of skills and competencies that are needed by graduates seeking entry-level employment. The results suggest that a lack of efficient direct mechanisms to encourage university-industry collaboration has given rise to large disparities in the ability of individual institutions to interface with the corporate sector. This study found that there is vital need of soft skill development in the future graduates. Moreover, students need to be exposed to service-learning concepts. The service-learning projects should be incorporated in all the courses.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Skill Analysis, Job Skills, Teacher Attitudes, Employer Attitudes, Comparative Analysis, College Outcomes Assessment, Minimum Competencies, Entry Workers, School Business Relationship, Skill Development, Relevance (Education), School Role, Educational Quality, Structured Interviews, Employment Patterns, Business Skills, Interpersonal Competence, Qualitative Research
New Zealand Association for Cooperative Education. University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand. Tel: +64-7-838-4892; e-mail: editor@apjce.org; Web site: http://www.apjce.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Saudi Arabia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A