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Preparing higher education for an internationally minded future
On campus: Students at University of Indonesia (UI) take time off after classes
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span class="inline inline-center">On campus: Students at University of Indonesia (UI) take time off after classes. UI is one of the leading universities in the country producing competent individuals in their respective career fields. JP
Colleges and universities should encourage innovation to face the competitive world.
The world is a rapidly changing place. Human population numbers hit the 7 billion mark back in early 2012. The proliferation of the Internet and widespread use of social networking means that geographical distance is no longer a hindrance to the exchange of ideas.
All of this means that making your mark in society has become a bigger challenge than ever. Preparing Indonesian citizens for this new job market means that educators have to rethink the way that they prepare students for the future.
Students themselves, especially ones who are already in college, have to do much more than simply just be great book learners getting straight as on exams.
One of the most important qualities that would-be job seekers need today is 'global readiness', according to IPMI International Business School head of marketing communication Amelia Novincy Umboh.
'In today's era, we are being challenged with cross-cultural settings and a struggle to survive through a continuously changing business landscape,' she said. 'Therefore, an ability to envision a global perspective while simultaneously being able to apply these global considerations within a local context is considered a rare competitive advantage.'
Part of the process of becoming ready for the world involves undoing traditional teaching policies and learning habits that run counter to this new globalized mindset.
For instance, according to Amelia, Indonesian students are not accustomed to critical thought and are taught since an early age that differences are undesirable.
Indonesian students also need to take heed of UNESCO's four pillars of higher education: learning to know, learning to do, learning to live and learning to be.
According to London School of Public Relations Jakarta deputy director Andre Ikhsano, learning to do is the most crucial pillar of the four.
'Learning to do is closely related to certain study programs like communication studies. Things that you need to learn to do include presentation skills, public speaking and confident multilingual skill,' Andre said. 'These are very useful skills that will be good investments.'
Cultural change
Higher education needs to work hard to build on this. One source of inspiration it can look to is the education system of Scandinavian countries like Sweden, which is currently on top when it comes to producing innovation, despite having originally started off as a poor country ages ago.
'How did they do it? Each student learns to make mistakes. They find the solutions to those mistakes. And they evaluate themselves by comparing their current and past results,' Amelia explained.
This system applies from kindergarten to higher education. The result ought to be outspoken and independent individuals ready to face an ever-changing social setting and business market. Institutes of higher education can help students towards this end.
'The role of higher education in preparing graduates to compete internationally consists of many approaches like cooperating with foreign universities for dual-degree agreement, student and teacher exchanges, international classes and joint research,' noted Andre.
Other internationally-minded ambitions that local higher-education institutes need to embrace include international student bodies that can help students learn to communicate, interact, and transact with foreigners. Successful alumni should also be used as student role models. Providing a good career development office is also a necessity. Partnerships with leading industry members can give students real-life opportunities and experiences.
Technology's role
Basic necessities for higher education in the future also include providing adequate laboratories and digital libraries. Having up-to-date technology in general is important for preparing college students for the future, especially since electronic learning (or 'e-learning', for short) is becoming an increasingly viable and useful way of acquiring an education.
'This method enables the equal spread of education. It overcomes time and space boundaries and can help improve a student's skill, confidence and proactive attitude toward the materials they are learning,' Andre said, adding that the use of technology to provide videos, interactive visuals and simulations during the learning process can allow students to more easily digest difficult materials.
'Modern technology also makes their lives easier. They can have e-book instead of carrying heavy books. They can have an e-CV instead of sending their resume via post mail. They don't have to stand in a long line at the bank counter to pay their tuition fees. It really does change our standard of living,' Amelia added.
She noted that digital education can be a boon for those who don't live within a convenient distance from their schools. They also provide comfort for those who have any difficulties studying in regular schools.
According to British daily newspaper The Guardian, many colleges and universities are developing flexible approaches that tailor students to the employment needs of the economy.
It cited an example of a university working with local employers toward this end. 'Students will come in to talk about their aspirations, their past experiences, their qualifications, their jobs, and a bespoke opportunity will be created for them, which will pick up modules and put them into a special package for that individual student.'
Ensuring that both students and educators are adequately prepared to face an increasingly interconnected and competitive world is an important way of dealing with the globe's changing social landscape. They need to aim high.
'There are three types of people in this world: 1 percent of people, those who make things happen, 4 percent of those who watch things happen and 95 percent of those who wonder what happened. In order to compete with these numbers, students must aim for 'making things happen,'' Amelia said.
