‘Varsities struggling to equip students for evolving industries’

Strong educational foundation is a must but main skill set is developed on the job: speaker

KARACHI:

With rapidly changing technologies, besides other factors, universities cannot keep up with rapid industrial changes and requirements. These were the views expressed by speakers at a dialogue on 'Industry-Academia Linkages - Why and How?' organised by the Institute of Business Administration on Friday.

In conversation with KFC Pakistan CEO Raza Pirbhai and Katalyst Labs Founder and CEO Jehan Ara, IBA Executive Director Dr Akbar Zaidi asked the speakers about how the gap between academia and industry can be bridged. How can academia provide solutions to the industry and the challenges associated with it, asked Dr Zaidi.

"Leading universities produce good quality talent but external elements, including technology are changing rapidly and therefore are facing a challenge of keeping up with the industry's requirements," said Pirbhai. He was of the view that merely acquiring a degree from a renowned university was no longer enough for young entrants in the job market. Given rapid changes in industries, one needs to have the eagerness to learn and an adaptability to change, he said.

Structured internships programmes can help students learn how to better adapt to today's work environment, added Pirbhai.

Similarly, Ara said that while a good educational foundation must be ensured at the university level, the primary skill set is developed once an individual is employed. Learning and training takes place on the job, said Ara, adding that the IT industry needs trained personnel but there is a dearth of such human resources.

When asked about the role of women in their respective industries, the speakers said women were more committed employees.

"The performance and curiosity to learn is much higher among women," said Ara. "Out of the nine employees on my team, seven are women and they were selected on merit. Many companies now want to hire women and are also offering day care facilities and flexible hours to accommodate them."

Ara said that the IT industry wants more female employees.

Seconding her, Pirbhai said that women demonstrate exceptional commitment.

As the conversation went on, Dr Zaidi inquired what changes the speakers felt academia needed to bring about to be more relevant to the job market's requirements.

Ara stressed on the gender gap and said that universities had to play their part for students carry forward their beliefs on gender to their workplaces. Work environments need to be made safe for women and universities have a role to play here in terms of teaching respect towards the opposite gender, she said.

Pirbhai said a structured platform was needed where the academia and the industry could decide on the best practices and teaching methods to train students for the ever-evolving work environment.

The session, attended by students, faculty and industrialists, among others, concluded with questions and answers between the speakers and the audience.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20^th, 2021.