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Special Report - The London Leadership Forum:

University Challenge

There has been a lively debate over a long period of time as to whether universities are preparing students for the workplace in the best possible fashion. At a leadership forum, held on the 8th of September, Donald Sloan - Head of Oxford Brookes University's Department of Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism Management - spoke on the challenges and changes that are taking place within universities and the higher education system as a whole.

It was a discussion that raised a number of key questions about where the system is moving, and how it will impact on students, education and society. As Donald noted;

"The higher education sector has witnessed considerable change in recent years. We need to understand this change, embrace it and work through the issues so that all stakeholders gain."

As Donald and the forum discussed the key issues, it became evident clear that the Government’s stated objective that 50% of the adult population should be degree educated, is leading to a large change in the overall dynamic of higher education.

Donald began has asking some very straightforward but fundamental questions about the purpose of higher education, and also discussed how he believed the system was changing and what the future held in store.

"Students have changed. It is very different to past eras when only 10% of school leavers went onto higher education. The 50% target has changed the overall dynamic and the type of person who is a student. There will be significant change in the national educational agenda as a result. We have to consider how this impacts on the system, on students and on our educational priorities.

"At Brookes our aim is to create a learning environment that is academically stimulating, but which also develops an individual’s ability to secure appropriate employment and go on to a successful career."

The key points made by Donald;

  • Donald posed the question: what is the purpose of university?
    • Is it solely to provide a student with an environment that is academically and intellectually stimulating?
    • Should universities be more focused upon developing individual potential?
  • It was noted that there are two main schools of thought in relation to university education, a division that has created much healthy debate:
    • The view that university is designed solely for the pursuit of knowledge, for the expansion of the mind and academic growth. There should be academic freedom and resistance to imposed agendas, for example from industry or government.
    • The alternative is a more pragmatic view that values the applied nature of knowledge and education, for example to individuals and the economy. University should not be just about the expansion of the mind for the sake of it.
  • The whole landscape is changing with the Government's ambition of ensuring that 50% of the adult population is educated at university. The argument is that a more knowledgeable and skilled labour force will drive long-term economic prosperity.
  • The result is that the motivation of students has changed. Recent history has seen the introduction of fees, which will increase further, the growth of personal debt, and the abolition of grants. There needs to be real tangible output from gaining a degree. Are universities facing up to how best to equip students to find success?
  • Oxford Brookes is making ongoing changes;
    • The school is reducing the number of undergraduate programmes from five to two. The number of students will remain the same but there will be more focus within educational provision.
    • The distinctiveness of the programmes will come not from their titles, but from the nature of the experience that students have.
    • "We are placing employability at the heart of the programmes. This means we will further equip students with an understanding of what is required to build a successful career and to create and capitalise on opportunities."
    • There will be more emphasis placed on the development of soft skills.
    • There will be a formal attributes framework that will enable students to understand their own strengths and weaknesses and to develop a route map for each individual. "It will allow the student to take individual responsibility and be accountable for their own development."
    • A mentoring scheme was introduced last year whereby 50 proven industry players provide ongoing advice and encouragement to students.
    • A more personalised system of support – linked to the attributes framework – has been developed and each student will also have an academic coach.
    • "Our aim is to create a learning environment that is stimulating and builds self-management and accountability."

"The key is to ensure that all students are fully engaged in their learning experience. They have to recognise what attributes are required to secure success and be offered exciting opportunities for personal and professional development."

The forum's discussion...

A number of thought-provoking questions were posed by those who attended the leadership forum:

  • Given the Government's target of 50% of the adult population possessing degrees, what effect has that had on the curriculum and the output of graduates?

Donald noted that it is unrealistic to assume that all universities and academic departments are attracting the same types of students and serving the same purpose – "we will see a move towards a more American system, which is tiered. Some establishments will prosper; others will not."

  • Is it a problem that students are stimulated and inspired whilst at university and then move into the workplace in junior roles, which are, by their nature, more mundane%

Donald did not accept that graduate jobs are mundane, but also pointed out that students should have realistic expectations of industry sectors and the reality of work – something they can develop through constant exposure to industry whilst at university.

  • How do we ensure that students' expectations from work reflect reality.

Donald accepted that hospitality careers still have an image problem, but argued that the reality is often hugely more attractive. He strongly believes that students must have gained sound operational experience before proceeding into more senior positions. He rejected the idea that academic excellence and a focus on gaining operational skill are incompatible.

  • What will happen when there are more graduates than jobs?

It was noted the economic the recession has resulted in graduates having to fight harder that before for top positions. This reminds us of the need to avoid complacency in higher education – universities must be putting maximum effort into ensuring that students are fully prepared for life after completing their degrees

"A degree should not be regarded as a passport to a good job and successful career. Rather, the process of undertaking a degree should have equipped students with the knowledge and personal attributes that are required by top employers."

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