Institutions worldwide recognise that securing good careers post-graduation is a top priority for students. The QS International Student Survey 2024 underscores this – when choosing a university, 52% of prospective international students said that proven graduate outcomes was an important factor in their decision-making.
To ensure students are ready for employment, university curricula must align to businesses’ needs, and address any emerging skills gaps.
At the QS China Summit 2024, the panel ‘Career Catalysts‘ explored this issue, focusing on the skills gaps of Chinese graduates. Following her appearance on the panel, we spoke further with QS Senior Consultant Alice Wei Wei to discuss the impact of career-focused university programmes, the rise of AI, and the importance of reshaping and reskilling programmes to meet the needs of the modern workforce.
Why is the integration of career-focused aspects and career-aligned courses crucial for Chinese institutions?
For students, attending university is not just about gaining academic knowledge; it is also a vital pathway to enhancing employability. To ensure that students are well-prepared for the job market after graduation, universities need to not only provide career guidance but also align their curricula more closely with current and future industry demand. On one hand, this ensures that the demand for highly skilled personnel in various industries is met. On the other hand, it equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate a highly competitive job market after graduation.
35% of prospective international students agree that the use of generative AI in the curriculum will have a positive impact on the teaching quality of the university.
QS International Student Survey 2024
To what extent do you anticipate the rise of AI impacting creative industries?
The rise of AI is certain to impact the creative industries. Firstly, AI can automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks, enabling creative professionals to concentrate on innovation and generating original ideas. Secondly, the personalisation of content will become the norm, enhancing user experiences. Advertising strategies and business models will inevitably evolve as a result.
Furthermore, AI tools are now capable of generating text, images, voice, and video from new perspectives. This presents a challenge to current creative professionals, compelling them to adapt and integrate these technologies into their creative processes.
Why is it imperative to align upskilling and reskilling programmes with the needs of tech-driven industries?
We must recognise that the transformation of workforce skills has become a critical issue for countries around the world. This year’s World Economic Forum report highlighted that 60% of surveyed companies indicated that skill gaps in the labour market are hindering their business transformation. More than half of employees believe that the skills required for their jobs will undergo significant changes within the next five years.
The advent and development of artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies demand that workers possess unique creativity, analytical skills, and interactive abilities. Many repetitive, entry-level jobs are likely to disappear. Consequently, on an individual level, continuously enhancing one’s skills to maintain competitiveness is essential. For nations, having a workforce adept in these skills is crucial to ensuring economic stability and sustained growth.
Based on your experience in the region, what successful initiatives have you observed from Chinese universities that have enhanced graduate employment rates and why?
Over the past few decades, Chinese universities have supplied a vast pool of talent, fuelling China’s rapid economic growth. It can be said that without the continuous contributions of Chinese universities in nurturing talent, China’s economic boom would not have been possible. In recent years, as China faces economic challenges, some universities have also felt the pressure from the job market. Consequently, they are helping students with employment in several ways.
Firstly, they have increased career guidance courses to assist students in the job-seeking process. Secondly, they have established close ties with companies to provide internship opportunities. Thirdly, they organise entrepreneurship competitions to encourage students to start their own businesses. Fourthly, they strengthen alumni networks to offer employment support to current students.
Among the many universities in China, South China University of Technology in Guangzhou stands out. They have fully leveraged their industrial advantages, particularly in the new energy vehicle sector. Their alumni are active throughout the entire new energy vehicle industry chain, which provides many high-quality internships and job opportunities for current students at the University.
What collaborative strategies can academia and industry employ to ensure that graduates are equipped with the essential AI skills required for the future workforce?
The development of artificial intelligence has reached a new stage, with OpenAI recently launching ChatGPT-4, showcasing even more powerful capabilities. If in the past, competition was primarily between humans, the future may see us competing with robots. In this scenario, the job market will increasingly demand individuals who can not only master AI but also collaborate effectively with it. This is a new skill set that universities must impart to their students.
To achieve this, industry and academia need to maintain continuous dialogue and establish partnerships. Significant investments in AI infrastructure and education are essential through course offerings, internships, and dedicated research projects. This will cultivate AI professionals who meet both industry needs and enhance student employability.
What are your thoughts on addressing the significant skill gaps in ‘communication’ and ‘teamwork,’ as highlighted by Chinese employers, and how can these gaps be bridged?
I believe this gap does exist, but there’s plenty of room for improvement. For instance, Chinese universities could adopt more collaborative teaching methods, moving away from rote learning and lecture-heavy formats. Encouraging students to debate and speak up can help them learn teamwork and improve their communication skills. Additionally, universities should forge stronger ties with employers to create internship opportunities, giving students early exposure to the workplace and helping them understand and develop the skills needed for their careers.