An Academician Perspective On Bridging The Gap Between Education And Work

What do students expect from workplace? How is it different with real life situations? (50% of fresh graduates around the world say they are unhappy with their chosen subject of studies?

Students have this notion that after graduating they feel that they are the best from all. That is their assumption they expect a good job with high salary and become demanding. In reality the case is different they should not be judging themselves. They should start from small position, learn more and upgrade themselves in every aspect to grab high opportunities. When they go to workplace and the employer assigns them the task then on that basis they will be judged. They are not assessing their level correctly.

What does an academic institute do for students regarding their career prospects? Do they teach skills related to real life conditions on workplace?

In our case at Kathford we have students studying different faculties such as Electronics and Communication engineering, Computer engineering, Civil engineering, BBA, CSIT etc. We give orientation about their academic program. We call companies to give orientation regarding their requirement and company will measure the students’ interest of his chosen subject. Then we also consider the recruitment criteria of company like entrance preparation, job training, and workshops as per capacity of company. If the students are selected they get an opportunity for fresh start in their jobs.

How important is it for graduates to show a good job performance? How can they deal with stressful situations and setbacks on the job?

We do guest lectures by inviting company officials and they will talk about real life working conditions to a bunch of students. We will acclimatize with understanding of their academic program with the related set of jobs. We prepare students in this manner.

What is your suggestion to pass out students for finding a job or pursuing higher education?

If we see other doing a job we feel excited but if we are doing jobs on our own we find it tedious and stressful. That is human nature. Rather than studying for own they think they are studying for others and not for themselves. If they think they are studying for their own development they will enjoy their studies. The time they spend on college life will determine how they will perform in jobs. If they have studied sincerely they have no reason for not doing well in jobs. He should face challenges, and correlate knowledge with practice. If you go outside there are cases when an employee have to adhere policy of first work then family. We are not bounded by that policy in Nepal to which we must be thankful because we are not stressed with those limitations.

What is your suggestion for graduates about finding a job or studying post graduation?

Most of the students study only for how to pass the exams. They don’t think about career and future on a long run. We orient students that first inculcate the habit of reading books. Prepare your own notes and consider relevant resource materials and library. For government jobs they should appear Public Commission Service examinations and only few pass the exams. Learning never stops and habit of reading the books must be done regularly. Career also requires implementation of knowledge and one should shut down studying because they have passed in their examination. Knowledge is the windows for career advancement in form of opportunities. Not only for government job, it will be helpful for job at various private sectors.

How should youths make use of their academic knowledge for job opportunites?

For earning high salary graduates should also have high capabilities. We are treading education with career paths for this we have elective subjects also. They should choose elective based on their career goals. Students must have a thirst for learning, they must have right attitude which is more important than certificates. These aspects will help the students to grab right opportunity at the right time at right place.

Most practitioners complain the academician that they don’t do relevant research that can inform needs of organization? What is your take?

It is obvious, our syllabus is made only with academicians we should also use industry or career experts advise also. Outside, it is done from combined effort of academicians and career experts which involves a lot of research. It is very important and we should also think in that direction to bridge gap between education and work. Syllabus must be modified with more internship period and practical education, according to requirement of real world.

What is the fair evaluation regarding work and education? Is budget constraint a reason for gap between education and work?

First and foremost, we should follow the rules and instruction of any University that we are affiliated with. Their evaluation criteria must be followed. Academicians must show which subject has application in which career paths. If that is not done then industry experts and counselors who have known the academic line must be incorporated and they will facilitate certain things which they might also were not able to achieve in their own life as students. Each colleges have their own budget constrains but students must not be hampered because of budget limitations. In my suggestion University, Colleges and industries should allocate budget for basic to advance research so that students will take indirect benefits through improvement of faculties.

 

Interview with

Madhu Sudan Kayastha, PhD
Principal
Kathford International College of Engineering and Management.
Affiliated to Tribhuvan University.

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