Editor’s note: “Universities should make their teaching more practical than theoretical”

Aug 17, 2010

MANY young people are enrolling for the postgraduate studies with hope of a successful career and a guarantee of being in safe employment. The reality on ground however, is different. As young graduates are rushing back for additional postgraduate qualifications, employers are changing their approa

MANY young people are enrolling for the postgraduate studies with hope of a successful career and a guarantee of being in safe employment. The reality on ground however, is different. As young graduates are rushing back for additional postgraduate qualifications, employers are changing their approach.

The emphasis is changing from academic qualifications to need for work experience. Masters in business administration (MBA) is the most sought after postgraduate degree globally. Ironically, many prominent entrepreneurs are not necessarily MBA holders. In Ugandan universities, MBA core courses are designed to expose students to a wide scope of business subjects like accounting, marketing, human resources and operations management. The universities, however, do not emphasise work experience as an entry requirement.

This is a gross loophole that needs to be addressed. Lack of work experience reduces postgraduate studies to theoretical book knowledge that has no relevance in the world of work. In a world that is searching for practical solutions to real life challenges, it is important that universities make their teaching more practical than theoretical. The need for universities to synchronize their course content with the needs of the job market is higher than ever before.

Postgraduate students should be tasked to carry out research projects that answer pressing needs in our society. Assessing postgraduate students based largely on the applicability of their research work is one way of bridging the gap between theory and practice.

As more and more students rush for postgraduate degrees, it is important to bear in mind that qualifications are good but career success takes more than degrees. Modern employers are interested in the face behind the transcript grades.
JAMESA WAGWAU

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