“Students must understand that graduate degrees are not enough. They have to develop necessary skill sets to gain an edge in the job market,” says Mario Fonseka, Dean, Business Studies, University of Bolton.

“Being able to present yourself well, speak eloquently, and have cultural intelligence in a diverse workspace are skills that all employers look for,” says Fazeela Gopalani, Head of ACCA Middle East, ACCA.

The key for mid-career professionals, according to experts, is to pursue courses that can help them bridge the gap between what they learnt as a student and the latest developments in the industry.

“It’s very important to be able to throw out what you thought was true in the past, and learn what’s new,” says Adkins.

Learn how to learn

Educators advised students to develop a willingness to learn and continually sharpen their skills to keep pace with the changes in the world of work. “Employers are more interested in recruiting staff with the right attitude than just with degrees and qualifications. Embracing the willingness to learn is crucial to success in this rapidly changing world of technology,” says Adkins.

Universities must innovate and change the way they teach

To enhance the effectiveness of teaching and learning, higher education institutions must embrace more opportunities for collaboration with industry, experts at GN Edufair highlighted.

“It’s critical for universities to engage with the corporate sector and incorporate their inputs while designing the programmes. To bridge the disconnect between the real world and academia, universities must recruit instructors who possess industry experience. They can also hire industry experts as adjunct faculty to augment faculty resources and student learning,” Fonseka adds.

With inputs from Divya Kumar, Special to Gulf News