Shaping the Education to Meet the Global Demands: Industrial Inclusiveness in University Curriculum

Abstract

The world entered to knowledge-based economy which is based on the production and use of information. Today computer technology, language proficiency and logistics play a major role. University Curriculum connects the secondary level education and the industry. Therefore, industry inclusiveness is essential in transforming children to an industry worker or an entrepreneur. This paper is derived from an opinion survey, desk research, and a case study. Reports of international institutions were studied extensively in the literatures survey. The respondents of the survey consisted key personnel in the government and private sector covering a cross section of the stakeholders in education and business world. The report analyses are then evaluated and discussed though a case study in Sri Lanka. The practices and procedures in the contemporary education system in the country is systematically explained in this section. The report presents its key recommendation under seven areas as policy recommendations. It includes innovative concepts such as, vertical integration between schools, universities, and industry; extended academic disciplines at tertiary level; changes in the university; review to selection criteria of state universities; new academic disciplines in the school curriculum; technical and vocational education; focus on children with different skills etc.