Value added skills in postgraduate education

Dr Christopher HillDirector Graduate SchoolUniversity of Nottingham

Malaysia Campus

Global Market• Who do we want our students to be?• How do we increase their marketability?• How do we see their role in developing

society?

• Is a degree enough?

Global Skills for a Global Market• How do we prepare our students for the

future?

• Valuable additional skills• Critical Thinking• Employability

Changing Platform• Budget cuts across the sector• Changing face of higher education

• Add-ons will become increasingly valuable• Necessity to compete with other universities• Must ensure students are prepared and

qualified for the market place

Languages

• English as a global language• Proficiency in others• Ability to discuss ideas• Ability to ask questions

Communication and Presentation Skills

• Ability to formulate and articulate arguments• Presentation and attention to detail• Confidence

Critical Thinking

• Ability to think creatively• Critical approach to problem solving• Encourage willingness to question

• Ability to cope with change

Non-traditional learning

• Varied learning environment• Seminars• Workshops• Discussion Groups

External Facing• Internships• Placement schemes• Connectivity to world outside academia• Conference attendance• Engage with wider academic and professional

community

Moving Forwards• Challenge our students• Prepare our students• Develop critical thinking• Ability to connect to wider community

• Degree provides the foundation, value added skills provide the structure