The View
A confluence of innovation and education
Discussions on employability, tech and sustainability at the QS Higher Ed Summit: Europe 2024.
By Gordon Scott
Managing director, Successful Graduate
The QS 2024 Europe Summit, held just outside Barcelona, recently brought together thought leaders, educators, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss the future of higher education in Europe. This year’s summit focused on key themes such as employability, the integration of technology in education, sustainability and the role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in driving social and economic progress. Over the course of several days, attendees engaged in dynamic discussions, workshops and presentations aimed at addressing the challenges and opportunities facing European higher education and beyond.
Emphasising employability across the student lifecycle
One of the central topics at the summit was the importance of addressing employability needs throughout the student lifecycle. With the job market constantly evolving, equipping students with the skills needed for success is paramount. Speakers highlighted the need for HEIs to integrate employability strategies from the earliest stages of education. This involves not only providing academic knowledge but also fostering practical skills and competencies that align with industry demands. And there is plenty of data to support this process. 1Mentor, a recent acquisition of QS, uses AI to scan more than 200 million graduate job ads globally, and now maps employer skills expectations against university curriculum. The result is a system that provides analysis for both students and institutions to determine the skills that are necessary to improve employability.
A session led by Successful Graduate and 1Mentor, which featured case studies and success stories, underscored the significance of utilising employer feedback to identify skills gaps. By understanding the specific needs of employers, universities can tailor their curricula and support services to better prepare students for the workforce. This proactive approach ensures that students are not only learning theoretical concepts but are also gaining the hands-on experience necessary to thrive in their careers.
Early intervention emerged as a critical component of this strategy. Through advanced analytics and predictive modelling, HEIs can identify at-risk students and provide targeted support to enhance their employability by recommending additional skills that are required by employers, according to the AI driven research database. This proactive measure helps students build a solid foundation of skills and confidence, increasing their chances of success post-graduation. It also helps with student recruitment strategies, because future students will have confidence that the skills learned within their degree is employer-relevant. The QS Employer Survey (2023) has highlighted a variety of soft skills deficits in around the world. The top 3 graduate skills gaps in Europe, according to some 40,000 employers are: resilience and flexibility, communication and problem-solving. Successful Graduate has teamed up with QS to provide a platform that addresses these gaps through the delivery of online micro-credentials. These are available for universities to license.
Technology in education
Indeed, the integration of technology in education was another prominent theme at the summit. With the rapid advancement of digital tools and platforms, HEIs have the opportunity to revolutionise the way education is delivered and experienced. Attendees explored how scalable technology can maximise university resources and provide personalised support to students.
One of the key discussions revolved around the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to enhance student outcomes. These technologies can offer tailored career advice, skill-building resources and real-time feedback, helping students navigate their educational and professional pathways more effectively.
The summit emphasised the importance of digital literacy for both students and educators. As technology continues to permeate every aspect of life, having a strong foundation in digital skills is essential. HEIs were encouraged to incorporate digital literacy into their curricula, ensuring that students are well-equipped to succeed in a technology-driven world.
Sustainability and social responsibility
With the growing awareness of environmental issues and the urgent need for sustainable practices, HEIs have a pivotal role to play in driving positive change. Speakers explored how universities can integrate sustainability into their operations, research and teaching. Obviously, this is a growing issue for student recruitment activities as well. Students are researching sustainability measures of universities, and also seeking to understand what sustainability skills they will be taught.
The importance of developing sustainability-focused curricula was also highlighted. Students should be educated on the environmental challenges facing the world and the innovative solutions needed to address them, noted speakers in the summit. This involves not only theoretical knowledge but also practical, hands-on experiences that empower students to become agents of change.
The role of HEIs in fostering social responsibility was also emphasised as universities have the potential to drive social progress by promoting inclusivity, diversity and equity within their communities. Attendees discussed strategies for creating a more inclusive academic environment, where all students have equal opportunities to succeed. This includes initiatives aimed at supporting underrepresented groups and creating a culture of respect and inclusion.
Role of HEIs in economic and social progress
Universities are not just centres of learning; they are also engines of innovation and economic development. Discussions during the summit also delved into how by fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation, HEIs can contribute to the growth of local and global economies.
One of the key sessions focused on the importance of university-industry collaboration. By partnering with businesses and industries, universities can ensure that their research and teaching are aligned with real-world needs. This collaboration can lead to the development of new technologies, products, and services that drive economic growth and create jobs.
The QS 2024 Europe Summit in Barcelona was a testament to the dynamic and evolving landscape of higher education in Europe. Discussions and interactive sessions were engaging, attendees explored the critical themes of employability, technology integration, sustainability, and the broader role of HEIs in driving economic and social progress.
If there was one consistent theme that was addressed throughout the Summit, it was that the HEI sector must be more focused on employer needs. The 2023 QS Employer survey has drawn upon the responses of around 100,000 employers globally (nearly 140 times larger than the Word Economic Forum employer survey), and has outlined a significant skills gap between graduate capabilities and employer expectations of these graduates. It is no longer relevant or appropriate for universities to just supply degrees. Our aim is to now help universities to address these human skills gaps across the world. What do you think of the idea?
Feel free to send Gordon a message at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordonscott/.