BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND ACADEMIA
A Comprehensive Guide
Student Knowledge Exchange
What is SKE?
Student Knowledge Exchange (SKE) is a platform for sharing knowledge, ideas, and experiences among students, academic faculty, and external collaborators, including industry experts, community organisations, and public sector entities. This exchange aims to enhance the real-world application of academic research and teaching, improve student readiness for employment opportunities, and contribute positively to societal and economic progress.
Why SKE Matters
SKE has become a crucial component of Higher Education, offering a platform for students to engage in experiential learning. This approach is essential for developing critical employability skills, particularly for minoritised students who often face additional barriers in the job market. Through SKE activities, students gain valuable industry exposure, build professional networks, and develop cultural competencies vital for success in a diverse and global workforce.
Critical and Cultural Pedagogy in SKE
Critical and cultural pedagogy is an educational approach that emphasises the development of critical thinking (political, cultural, social, environmental, economic) to challenge harmful systems and transform the world. It cultivates diverse knowledge systems by incorporating various cultural perspectives and fostering an inclusive learning environment. This pedagogical approach is essential for preparing students to navigate and impact a diverse and interconnected global society (Freire, 1970; hooks, 1994).
By integrating critical and cultural pedagogy into SKE, students are encouraged to engage with complex societal issues and develop the skills needed to challenge oppressive structures. This transformative approach to education not only prepares students for their professional lives but also empowers them to be agents of change in their communities and beyond. Through critical and cultural pedagogy, students learn to question dominant narratives, understand the root causes of social issues, and develop strategies for creating a more just and equitable world.
Immersive Experiential Learning
Immersive experiential learning through Student Knowledge Exchange and industry engagement is crucial for enhancing the critical employability of international and minoritised students. By fostering practical skills, critical thinking, and cultural competencies, this approach equips students to thrive in a dynamic global workforce and contributes to the broader goals of societal and economic development. By embracing inclusivity, collaboration, and real-world relevance, higher education institutions can ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed and make meaningful contributions to society.
RESEARCH FINDINGS
1
Lack Of Work Opportunities
45% of students SURVEYED felt unprepared for employment due to a lack of work experience.
only 17% of students had undertaken an industrial placement as part of their degree program.
2
Lack of Professional Network
Many students lack professional networks, which are crucial for building industry relationships and finding job opportunities.
Establishing mentorship programmes and connecting students with alumni can help build professional networks and provide valuable industry insights.
3
Low Engagement with Univeristy Careers Services
International and other marginalised students Students report inadequate university career guidance. Visa regulations significantly impact international students’ employability, affecting their ability to engage in long-term UK job opportunities.
Cultural differences and lack of understanding of UK job market expectations hinder international students’ job prospects.
Insights from focus groups and surveys highlight the need for personalised career guidance that acknowledges cultural differences and barriers.
Key Components of SKE
Working with industry partners on real-world challenges allows students to apply their academic knowledge in practical settings through integrated consultancy projects. This hands-on experience bridges the gap between theoretical learning and its practical application, aligning education more closely with current industry needs. For instance, students might work on projects related to sustainability, digital transformation, or social innovation, applying their classroom knowledge to solve real business problems. This type of engagement not only enhances students’ technical skills but also develops their ability to think critically and solve complex problems.
Interdisciplinary learning encourages students from different academic backgrounds to collaborate on projects, broadening their perspectives, fostering creativity, and enhancing critical problem-solving skills. This approach prepares students to tackle complex, multifaceted problems they may encounter in their professional lives. For example, a project on sustainable fashion might involve students from business, engineering, and design disciplines working together to create innovative solutions that address environmental and economic challenges. This collaborative effort helps students appreciate diverse viewpoints and integrate knowledge from various fields, which is essential for innovation and creativity.
Effective knowledge exchange depends on strong networks, connectivity, and communication between universities, students, and external partners. This interaction is facilitated through collaborative research projects, knowledge transfer partnerships (KTPs), placements, voluntary work, and secondments. Engaging with external organisations helps universities align their curricula with evolving industry requirements, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the global workforce (Etzkowitz & Leydesdorff, 2000). Additionally, these connections provide students with access to mentors, industry insights, and potential job opportunities, enhancing their professional development and critical employability.
Benefits of SKE
Participating in knowledge exchange activities helps students cultivate diverse skills, such as technical proficiency, problem-solving capabilities, and professional aptitude. These experiences enhance their desirability to employers and bolster their opportunities for career advancement (Jackson, 2013). For minoritised and international students, who may face systemic barriers to employment, SKE provides a crucial platform to demonstrate their capabilities and build professional networks, thereby improving their job prospects.
Students have the opportunity to test and refine their academic knowledge in practical, real-world contexts, making their learning more applicable and relevant. This approach also facilitates the identification of any knowledge gaps and allows for remedial action through additional study or training (Schon, 1983). For example, students working on a project with a community organisation might identify gaps in their understanding of social issues, prompting further study and engagement with these topics.
The exchange of knowledge benefits students, universities, and external partners. Universities can enhance their research impact and the quality of teaching and learning, while industry partners gain new insights and innovative solutions through academic collaborations (Perkmann & Walsh, 2007). This symbiotic relationship ensures that academic research is informed by real-world needs and that industry practices are enriched by cutting-edge academic knowledge.
Engaging in knowledge exchange activities allows students to contribute to societal and economic development. Through participation in projects aimed at tackling community or global challenges, or public policy matters, students can make meaningful contributions to society. This holistic approach prepares students for successful careers while contributing to the broader goals of economic and societal development (Etzkowitz & Leydesdorff, 2000). For example, students might work on projects addressing public health issues, environmental sustainability, or social justice, thereby making a positive impact on their communities and beyond.
Key Principles of SKE
Ensure that all students have equal opportunities to participate in knowledge exchange activities, including providing financial support, resources, and accommodations. This is crucial for minoritised and economically disadvantaged students who may otherwise be unable to engage in these valuable learning experiences.
Incorporate diverse cultural and disciplinary perspectives to create a rich learning environment that values and leverages differences. This approach fosters a more inclusive and equitable educational experience and prepares students to work in diverse and multicultural settings.
Promoting collaboration across diverse academic fields is essential for tackling intricate real-world challenges. This method enriches the learning experience by combining expertise from multiple disciplines. For instance, interdisciplinary projects can lead to innovative solutions that address complex societal issues, such as climate change or urban development.
Develop and maintain partnerships with industry, government, and community organisations to ensure academic programs align with industry needs and provide students with relevant experiences. These partnerships can offer students internships, mentorship, and real-world projects, enhancing their critical employability and professional growth.
Encourage active participation from all stakeholders, including students, faculty, industry partners, and the community. Engagement should be continuous and foster a sense of ownership and commitment to the success of knowledge exchange activities. This active participation helps create a vibrant and dynamic learning environment where all participants can contribute and benefit.
Ensure that projects and activities are relevant to real-world challenges, providing students with practical experience and making their learning more meaningful and applicable. This relevance helps students understand the importance of their academic work and motivates them to engage deeply with their studies.
INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDENT KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE FRAMEWORK
THE STUDENT ECO-SYSTEM
The Student Knowledge Exchange Framework is based on Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) ecological systems model, highlighting the interplay between individual development and their contexts. This framework, enhanced with a critical decolonial lens, addresses systemic challenges and opportunities from the microsystem to the chronosystem, providing new insights into employability for underrepresented, marginalised, and international students.
This research was part of the Advance-HE Collaborative Development Fund 2023/24: Fit For the Future.
Framework Goals
This structured pedagogic consultancy model aims to enhance graduate employability skills by addressing the various influences on student outcomes, creating a comprehensive support system that fosters job readiness and professional identity.
Target Audience
The framework is designed for a diverse range of students and university stakeholders, including careers consultants and academic employability leads, involved in curriculum development, student support, and teaching enhancement. It aims to narrow the professional skills attainment gaps for marginalised students, with the highest impact when applied institutionally and across all programmes.
