Cannexus20

This small-scale study explored UAE faculty members’ and employers’ perceptions of key employability skills in fresh graduates and the reasons for their importance. Participants’ views were elicited using a novel concept-mapping approach, along with semi-structured interviews. Results indicate that both groups were aligned in their views. However, their operationalization of skills was misaligned, raising concerns about the academia-industry gap.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand employability research in an international context;
• Critically analyze possible reasons behind the academia-industry gap;
• Investigate stakeholder views using novel qualitative research techniques