Project based learning framework integrating industry collaboration to enhance student future readiness in higher...

Area of Science:

• Higher Education
• Curriculum Development
• STEM Education

Background:

• University students require enhanced skills for 21st-century career success.
• Traditional curricula often fall short in preparing students for evolving workforce demands.
• Project-based learning (PBL) offers a potential solution for skill development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate an industry-enriched project-based learning (I-PBL) framework.
• To determine the impact of I-PBL on higher education curricula and student future readiness.
• To quantify the relationship between curriculum design and workforce preparedness.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental study assessed curriculum changes and industry engagement.
• The study focused on the proportion of PBL (40%) and industry interactions (five per session).
• Quantitative data from pre- and post-surveys, feedback, and participation metrics were analyzed.

Main Results:

• A 25% average increase in self-reported student employability skills was observed.
• Student engagement increased by 30% and satisfaction by 35% with I-PBL implementation.
• The study demonstrated a significant enhancement in STEM students' readiness for the workforce.

Conclusions:

• Industry-enriched PBL provides an empirically validated framework for higher education.
• This approach effectively bridges the gap between academic preparation and workforce demands.
• Educators and policymakers can utilize these findings to improve student employability skills.