Graduates for the 21st Century – Integrating the Enhancement Themes

Philip Winn

University of Strathclyde

Graduates for the 21st Century: what were we doing?

At the heart of this Theme was consolidation of, and reflection on, the work of the Enhancement Theme programme – all Themes and projects started since 2003. The goal of integrating their outcomes relied on updating and refreshing the material that was produced previously.

Graduates for the 21st Century: what were we doing?

Has it been a successful Theme?

Yes – evidence of engagement and interest across the sector.

Made use of the work of all previous themes.

“Graduate Attributes”, like “Research-Teaching Linkages”, is now a universal concept through the sector.

Institutional Teams – with an emerging discipline focus

Areas of shared interest – project facilitators

Sectoral – the development of events

Graduates for the 21st Century: how did we do it?

Within, across and all over ...

... and in a challenging environment

Graduates for the 21st Century: what have we done?

The impact of graduate attributes

o Many HEIs have implemented GAs within their strategies and operations – and there is evidence of this in practice as Dai Hounsell will show.

o Next step – evaluation & assessment – has it made a difference?

Graduates for the 21st Century: what have we done?

Using Graduate Attributes

o ELIR reports in the current cycle talk about them

o Programme design in many institutions feature them

o GAs are being incorporated into prospectuses

Graduates for the 21st Century: what have we done?

Communicating Graduate Attributes

o Post RTL students could not articulate GAs. This is now seen as a priority and there are excellent examples.

o Articulating the language of GAs for employers.

o Work around subject specific GAs in the disciplines.

Graduates for the 21st Century: what have we done?

Reaching out ...

o 21 October 2010 at StrathclydeMichael Sterling & Christopher Smith

o 16 June 2011 at EdinburghAnne Glover & Graeme Waddell

... and another symposium event in October, all in addition to the round of workshops and meetings

Graduates for the 21st Century: in our current context

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Graduates for the 21st Century: in our current context

The Green Paper – six key areas

o Learning, Teaching & Access

o Research & Knowledge Exchange

o International contribution

o Student support

o Funding

o Shape and Structure

Graduates for the 21st Century: in our current context

The Green Paper – guiding principlesOpen to all: opportunity; removing barriers to access 

Flexible: range of provision; diverse needs of students / business 

Learner centred: funding systems / provision: simple, transparent, accessible 

Diverse: diversity in mission; focus 

Excellent: quality, excellence; the link between teaching and research 

International: recognised internationally 

Well-led: properly governed, financially stable, leading innovation;

co-operation between HEIs, schools and colleges

Graduates for the 21st Century: in our current context

The Green Paper – challenging questions about ...o The future funding model for students

o Student numbers

o Curriculum for Excellence

o The four year degree

o Should research be present in all?

o Articulation hubs

Scotland 1.0%England 1.3%Sweden 1.4% Canada 1.5% India & China 2%USA 2.9%Australia 5.8%o The future funding model – GDP

Graduates for the 21st Century: in our current context

The Green Paper – themes are implicit throughout

Graduate attributes

Research-Teaching Linkages

The First Year

Assessment & Integrative Assessment

Employability

Responding to Student Needs

Flexible delivery

Graduates for the 21st Century: in our current context

Enhancement Themes must:

- publish digestible material of relevance and utility

- ease pressure on time: “not another initiative”

- help us work with tighter budgets: it must be VfM

Graduates for the 21st Century: what next?

In this theme we considered the outcomes of HE – graduate attributes – and how we support their achievement

The new Theme will undertake a comprehensive consideration of how best to structure and deliver learning opportunities, curricula and learner support to meet the needs of the diverse range of 21st century higher education students.

Graduates for the 21st Century: what next?

o Who – the student body of the 21st is changingo How – is curriculum developed and delivered?o What – support is required for staff? o The Theme will aim to:

Identify, inform and shape future HE learning experience

Identify how to deliver effectively and efficiently HE to a diverse population of students

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