Exploring professional work-ready graduate attributes from the employer perspective

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore what we mean by professional work-ready graduate attributes from the employer perspective. Design/ Methodology/ Approach - The research design was essentially qualitative. Following, Yin’s (2003) suggestion, the researcher gathered data through three primary sources, namely, document, conducted semi-structured interviews and recorded observations, at three large multinational companies. The researcher analyzed and interpreted the data collected in form of field notes, interview scripts, audio recording and information from documents. Yorke and Knight, (2004), emergent work of skills research initiative known as USEM account of employability was integrated as conceptual frameworks. Findings - Three themes emerged, the findings highlighted three broad areas considered to constitute, what employers described as graduate attributes, this includes soft skills/personal attributes; subject specific skills and disciplinary content knowledge and understanding. Research/Limitation/Implication - Collective voice of employers on acceptable meaning of what graduate attribute stands for, will lead to establishing a common higher education programme or curricula that is work-based and skill oriented, which in turn help students to develop broad range of skills, work attitudes and values to face future challenges of the world competitive market. Original value - This paper seek to fill the ‘skill gap’ occurring between the demand and the level of educational preparation of graduates, by providing acceptable meaning of work-ready graduate attributes

Business, Industry and Higher Education Collaboration: A Panacea in Developing Professional Work-Ready Graduates

The purpose of this paper is to explore how institutions of higher learning, industries and businesses work together to accomplish mutual goals, intended to help shape and inform up-to-date curriculum and course design. The aim was to improve mutual understanding and exchange of ideas between the Education and business sectors that can lead to produce professional work-ready graduates. The research method was essentially qualitative case-study design method (Yin, 2003), was used. The researcher collected documents, conducted semi-structured interviews and recorded observations at the selected multinational companies and recognized institutions of higher learning. The emergent themes from the data, in form of field notes, interview scripts, audio recordings and information from documents, representing the views of both Educationists and Industrialists were analyzed. The four emergent themes as characterized by the participants views on collaborative efforts between business and Education were identified as; cooperative study programme, technical support and programme delivery, representation in the institution governing council and collaboration through shared facilities. The study represent a means of contributing quality in teaching and learning graduate employability skills, that is vital in the survival and challenge to industry to succeed in an increasingly competitive world market. This paper attempts to provide new ways of thinking as well as formal flexible commitments from business and Education in forming partnership, that enable both sectors share the needs, problems, issues, strengths and weakness of in training professional work-ready graduates. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n6p51

Long-term ocular and visual outcomes following symptomatic and asymptomatic congenital CMV infection: a systematic review protocol

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most common congenitally acquired infections worldwide. Visual impairment is a common outcome for symptomatic infants, with long-term ophthalmic surveillance often recommended. However, there are no clear guidelines for ophthalmic surveillance in infants with asymptomatic disease. We aim to conduct a systematic review to establish the overall prevalence and incidence of eye and vision related disorders following congenital CMV infection (cCMV). // Methods and analysis: A systematic review and meta-analysis (pending appropriate data for analysis) of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies will be conducted. The PubMed, Embase and CINAHL databases will be searched up to 29 March 2022 without date or language restrictions. Studies will be screened by at least two independent reviewers. Methodological quality of included studies will be assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. The primary outcome measures will be incidence and/or prevalence of vision impairment or ophthalmic disorders in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic cCMV infection. A narrative synthesis will be conducted for all included studies. The overall prevalence will be estimated by pooling data using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity between studies will be estimated using Cochran’s Q and the I2 statistics. Egger’s test will be used to assess for publication bias. // Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval is not required as there is no primary data collection. Study findings will be disseminated at scientific meetings and through publication in peer-reviewed journals

Exploring employability skills initiatives practice in Nigerian technical higher education

The significance of education to national development is widely recognized. it is acknowledged that it influences positively economic growth and development. Further it is argued, the growth and development of this nature hinges predominantly on the quality and quantity of Education (World Bank, 2000). Of recent employers in Nigeria complained that some of the professional graduates from the tertiary institutions have the certificates but lack the practical occupational skills, or job experience. and therefore they are considered incompetent for not being able to relate the theoretical part of their education to the practical working environment in industry. As a result of this, there was 'skill gap' occurring between the demand of employment and the level of educational preparation of graduates. indeed calls for research for a common and effective model or framework of employability that can withstand the test of present day labour market requirement. It was the awareness of this gap in our educational system and the need to bring closer institutions and employer to a more beneficial working relationship that motivated the need for this study. The broad objective of the study is to explore employability skills initiative in Nigerian Technical higher education. Specifically. the aim was to have an in depth investigation on how the tertiary institutions in particular, Universities and Polytechnics in Nigeria seek to enhance graduate employability skills using various approaches. The study was guided by the following five research questions; what is the perception of employability by the academic staff and employers? What skill competence do the employers look for in a contemporary graduate of higher education? What are ways in which the academic department engaged in developing employability skills? How are the employers involved in the planning and implementation of higher education curricula'? And what are the skill competences required to evolve a new framework. The Research method was essentially qualitative, Grounded theory design was selected. The researcher collected documents, conducted semi-structured interviews and recorded observations in cross-section of subject discipline within the academic departments of universities and polytechnics in Nigeria and some selected companies. The study through extensive review of literature, and interviews, captured the collective voices of experts. and professionals from the academics and companies on the development of employability skills, consequently, series of findings emerged. through which a new model of 'ES' evolved. The study findings include among others; that the concept of employability skills underpin two broad areas, subject or discipline based skills and generic skills and it has to do with individual characteristics behavior in terms of occupational skills that makes him work ready; that employers describe an employable graduate as person with flexible attitudes towards work and career, someone with self-theories that create in himself confidence and optimism. Apart from subject skills, the study found that, personal attributes are mostly preferred by employers. These include, interpersonal skills. creativity. teamwork, adaptability, critical thinking/problem solving ability. emotional intelligence. awareness of work environment and attitudes; embedding learning skills into the curricula was found to be more result oriented than other initiatives; other findings includes provision of effective teaching methods and institution employer partnership, improved learning environment and facilities. Finally the study developed a new framework based on USEM account of employability. The new model has four main components. Subject. employment development opportunities, reflection, and employability. In addition to the new proposed framework, the study recommend that both the institutions employers partnership to reconsider a new way of thinking to form considerable flexible commitment from both stakeholders to share the needs, problem, strength, and weakness of educational programmes. The study further recommend the need to overhaul the curricula to systematically address learning of employability, by and large, academic staff, in addition to the subject knowledge, should possess a wide range of teaching methods or strategies

Pattern, awareness and perceptions of health hazards associated with self medication among adult residents of kano metropolis, northwestern Nigeria

Background: Kano State is the most populous state, and one of those states pronounced with the highest prevalence of drug abuse in Nigeria. However, there is lack of documented data to back the assertion. Objective: We determined the pattern, awareness and perceptions of the adult residents of Kano metropolis about self medication. Materials and Methods: We used a descriptive cross-sectional design to study a random sample of 380 adult in Kano metropolis. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires that were pretested outside the study area. Data analysis was with Epi Info® 3.5.1. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 35.43 ± 15.10 years, majority were males (66.32%), singles (47.11%) and had at least secondary education (67.63%). About three-quarter (78.95%) admitted using drug (s) in the past without prescription. Drugs commonly consumed were antimalarials (42.10%), analgesics (40.56%), antibiotics (29.41%), and cough mixtures (13.31%). Common sources of drugs were patent medicine stores (62.54%) and the market (19.81%). Common reasons for self medication were long queues in the hospitals (38.39%), and in-accessibility to doctors (25.08%). About two-thirds (65.00%) correctly perceived that self medication could be hazardous; and half (51.58%) were aware of at least one hazard of self medication. Conclusion/Recommendations: Irrational drug use is a growing challenge to public health in Kano, Nigeria. Thus, drug regulatory agencies in Nigeria should work together to ensure that all drug retail outlets and drug sellers are registered, controlled drugs are dispensed only on prescription of the physicians; and the laws safeguarding drug use are duly enforced. Health authorities should also strengthen efforts towards health educating the public

Developing a Sustainable Practical Model of Graduate Employability for Higher Education

The purpose of this paper is to evolve a sustainable practical model of employability skills that is sure to capture relevant learning aspects of a particular occupational discipline to be used as framework for Undergraduate students to develop their employability potentials. The study was conducted in three Universities and Polytechnics each with three multi-national companies. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Using purposeful sampling 18 academic staff and 3 professionals representing company employers were selected as the study participants. The study evolved a model that is work-based, explicit in its outcome, fully articulated and realistic in terms of employability skill experiences. The proposed model can be used to establish a common higher education programme or curricula that is work-based and skill experience oriented, that can encourage students in higher education to think about work place learning more explicitly and reflectively, that will in turn help them to develop a broad range of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values, each of which ultimately contribute in some manner to graduate employability.  The paper is considered a contribution to the evolution and growth of knowledge on the linkage between higher education and workplace, through which the ‘skill gap’ occurring between the demand of employment and the level of educational preparation of graduates can be bridged.Keywords: Employability, Higher Education, Graduates, Model/Framework,   academic staff, Employers/Professional

Developing a Sustainable Practical Model of Graduate Employability for Higher Education

The purpose of this paper is to evolve a sustainable practical model of employability skills that is sure to capture relevant learning aspects of a particular occupational discipline to be used as framework for Undergraduate students to develop their employability potentials. The study was conducted in three Universities and Polytechnics each with three multi-national companies. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Using purposeful sampling 18 academic staff and 3 professionals representing company employers were selected as the study participants. The study evolved a model that is work-based, explicit in its outcome, fully articulated and realistic in terms of employability skill experiences. The proposed model can be used to establish a common higher education programme or curricula that is work-based and skill experience oriented, that can encourage students in higher education to think about work place learning more explicitly and reflectively, that will in turn help them to develop a broad range of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values, each of which ultimately contribute in some manner to graduate employability.  The paper is considered a contribution to the evolution and growth of knowledge on the linkage between higher education and workplace, through which the ‘skill gap’ occurring between the demand of employment and the level of educational preparation of graduates can be bridged. Keywords: Employability, Higher Education, Graduates, Model/Framework,   academic staff, Employers/Professional

Long-term ocular and visual outcomes following symptomatic and asymptomatic congenital CMV infection: a systematic review protocol

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most common congenitally acquired infections worldwide. Visual impairment is a common outcome for symptomatic infants, with long-term ophthalmic surveillance often recommended. However, there are no clear guidelines for ophthalmic surveillance in infants with asymptomatic disease. We aim to conduct a systematic review to establish the overall prevalence and incidence of eye and vision related disorders following congenital CMV infection (cCMV).A systematic review and meta-analysis (pending appropriate data for analysis) of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies will be conducted. The PubMed, Embase and CINAHL databases will be searched up to 29 March 2022 without date or language restrictions. Studies will be screened by at least two independent reviewers. Methodological quality of included studies will be assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. The primary outcome measures will be incidence and/or prevalence of vision impairment or ophthalmic disorders in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic cCMV infection. A narrative synthesis will be conducted for all included studies. The overall prevalence will be estimated by pooling data using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity between studies will be estimated using Cochran's Q and the I2 statistics. Egger's test will be used to assess for publication bias.Ethical approval is not required as there is no primary data collection. Study findings will be disseminated at scientific meetings and through publication in peer-reviewed journals.This is not a clinical trial, but the protocol has been registered: CRD42021284678 (PROSPERO). </h4