UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY LINKAGE ACTIVITIES ON STUDENT EMLOYABILITY

Abstract

Purpose - The study is conducted with an intention to identify the most important activities the chance andin University-Industry Linkage (UIL) arrangements that can increase probability among graduate students of being able to get employed. Methodology & Design - The design of this research is quantitative in nature, where an online questionnaire is being used to collect the data from respondents comprising full-time students, university faculty members and employees from the banking sector performing different operations. Cronbach’s Alpha, One-way ANOVA and Tukey Post Hoc Test applied to see the reliability, analyze the descriptive statistics and hypothesis. In total 320 respondents took part in the survey. Findings - The results of the research reveal that the activities that are effective in University-Industry linkages were Education and Training in particular student internships, shared projects and the involvement of industry expertise in developing the university curriculum, services and consulting activities and research activities. Research Limitations - Effects were perceived on the increased probability of employability are measured, and not the actual effects. were Recommendations - For establishing productive University-Industry linkage arrangements with various activities for students, university itself and industry, all three stakeholders should take the responsibility of implementing such collaborations through joint programs between themselves. They should implement the best practices to achieve healthy linkages between university and industry, along with the intentions they have such as MNEs trying to explore the host country’s resources, local companies trying to improve competitiveness, Higher education institutions trying to improve its role in society, students preparing for work life and government bodies making advance policies and regulations.