Cooperative Training Initiative: An Assessment of Reciprocal Relationships Between Universities and Industry in Providing Professional Development in ICT

Abstract

This paper presents the outcome of evaluating a training initiative which targets fresh graduates in Information and Communication Technology disciplines. It describes a contemporary training model where industry and academia join efforts to upgrade the students’ qualifications prior to entering the labor market. The paper presents the experience carried out by a group of researchers investigated the effect of the training initiative targeted over 450 young engineering and computer science students throughout West-Bank and Gaza. The researchers traced the trainees endeavors in searching for jobs, using various methods, ranges from focus group meetings, to individual interviews, and questionnaires filling.

The purposed model promotes the involvement of the young engineers with authentic and up-to-date industrial experience, enables the build up of their practical framework and encourages their entrepreneurial growth. Of all the trainees surveyed, the overwhelming majority of the trainees felt that they gained valuable knowledge and experience in their field of training. The majority thought that the subjects of the training were vital and in demand by the market.

The model presented in this paper describes a modern training framework, where students receive practical training in third party institute that works in full coordination between universities and industry. The model relaxes universities from the pressure of constantly modifying their curricula to the market needs. It also helps qualifying large number of ICT students and graduates that over-sized the ICT industry capacity, especially in the developing countries.