To bridge the gap between industry demands and higher education curricula, the Leads project hosted its inaugural workshop titled “BEST PRACTICES FOR ALIGNING HIGHER EDUCATION CURRICULA TO ADS DYNAMIC DEMAND.” The workshop, organised under Work Package 3, aimed to discuss strategies for aligning academic programs with the rapidly evolving field of Advanced Digital Skills (ADS).
On March 27, 2023, from 13:00 to 14:30, the workshop successfully brought together approximately 30 participants from diverse backgrounds, including industry professionals, academia experts, and consultants. The online format facilitated broad participation, enabling attendees from various locations to join the discussion.
The organising institutions, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD), collaborated to curate a thought-provoking session. Three distinguished keynote speakers, Gonzalo Gómez-Lardies from INETUM, Kieran McCorry from MICROSOFT, and Prof. Dr Juan José Moreno-Navarro from UPM, opened the workshop by sharing their insights and perspectives, setting the stage for an engaging debate.
Throughout the event, attendees explored recommendations to expedite the integration of ADS content into academic programs. The discussion primarily focused on educational providers but also encompassed other stakeholders, such as accreditation bodies and industries, who play a significant role in the curricular alignment process.
The lively debate yielded a range of practical strategies and suggestions. Participants emphasised the need for continuous collaboration between academia and industry to ensure relevant and up-to-date curricula that equip students with the skills demanded by the job market. Furthermore, the importance of establishing flexible frameworks and agile mechanisms to respond swiftly to the dynamic nature of ADS was highlighted.
The workshop provided a valuable platform for sharing insights, experiences, and best practices among stakeholders in shaping higher education curricula. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, the event contributed to the ongoing efforts to create a more seamless transition for students from academia to industry while meeting the evolving demands of the digital age.
The LEADS project is committed to continuing its mission of fostering collaboration and innovation in higher education curricula in alignment with dynamic demand. Workshops like these ensure graduates have the necessary skills to thrive in an ever-changing digital landscape.
See the report and results accumulated from the workshop here.
If you missed the workshop, follow the full workshop video here.