VIRTUAL: Applying Education
Abstract
Education takes place within dynamic and multifaceted complex systems. Recognising the volatile-uncertain-complex-ambiguous (VUCA) environment, the digital transformation of the higher education sector calls for a novel approach to curriculum and employability. Drawing on the complexity and the chaos theories, this research focuses on the Business School at Edinburgh Napier University which has developed an innovative and impactful Employability Skills Programme (ESP) that all undergraduate students undertake. The ESP was created based on consistent employer and stakeholder feedback that students graduated with subject and sector knowledge but lacked understanding themselves and the skills they have to offer the ‘real world’. In their second year of study, students engage with a Forage virtual internship, the leading pre-skilling platform for early talent, to embed professional and employability skills prior to engagement with employers in Work-Based Learning or similar projects in their third year. Virtual experiential learning though this digital platform enhances students’ skills gap using digital internship projects, brings forward students’ connections with external organisations and enhances their understanding of the world of work. Through interviews and access to students’ pre-submitted, non-assessed reflective commentaries and subsequent thematic analysis, it is clear these partnerships are vital to foster access and inclusion to learners’ needs to prepare them for the complex business world. Digital literacy and a non-linear and organic curriculum can contribute to learners interacting with each other in different ways.
Patrick is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and also the Business School Academic Lead for Student Experience. In June 2017 he wrote the successful Edinburgh Napier Business School bid for the BA (Hons) Business Management Graduate Level Apprenticeship programme through Skills Development Scotland and is one of the primary architects of the Employability Skills Programme. He also acts as a mentor and reviewer for applications up to and including the award of Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Zuberia is Deputy Programme Leader for MBA SPM and Lecturer in Strategy at ENU. She has previously been a Senior Lecturer and trained psychometrist at Curtin Mauritius. She has a PhD in Organisations & Management, a Masters in International Business and a BCom in Industrial & Organisational Psychology. Zuberia is also an active member of the Association of the HR Professionals- Mauritius, and her research interests are SOLT, organisational psychology and strategy.
Ana Paula is a Senior Lecturer in Strategy & Sustainability, Programme Director of DBA and leads the MBA at the University of Dundee. She is a co-investigator of 2 research projects funded by the UK Government, chair of the UK-Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals and an active ISBE and BAM member. Research interests include CSR, sustainability, sustainable development, business ethics, social capital theory, family business, systems thinking and action research. Ana Paula worked in large organisations including pharmaceutical and financial sectors and was a consulant for 2 SMEs in Brasilia and Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Emma is a Career Development Consultant within the Business School at ENU. Since qualifying with a PG Dip in Career Guidance in 2007, she has worked on Community Employability support projects and in both Further and Higher Education. With particular interests in student experience and engagement, she is a member of the AGCAS Student and Graduate engagement group which researches best practice in this area.
Sarah is a lecturer in Accounting at ENU. She holds a PhD in fiscal transport policy from the Transport Research Institute and is programme leader for the BA(Hons) accounting suite. Sarah is a Senior Fellow of the HEA and Academic Fellow of the Association of International Accountants. Her research interests cover financial reporting, taxation and student experience/support (inductions, student mentoring, academic integrity etc.).
9:00 am - 10:30 am
Thursday 27th April, 2023