What further resources (technological, financial, human) are required to support the teaching of future skills?
Teaching future skills requires updated technology, sufficient funding, and skilled educators. Identifying and securing these resources is essential for preparing students for the future job market.
Andrea Simeri (UniCal University of Calabria):
In my opinion the success of future-skills education in outermost universities depends on a comprehensive approach that integrates technology, financial investment, and human expertise. The strategy should be based on digital tools, securing funding, and strengthening industry-academic collaboration in order to become innovation hubs, retain talent, and mitigate brain drain.
Regarding the technological resources, access to cutting-edge digital infrastructure is crucial for equipping students and researchers with the skills needed for future industries. These include:
- Digital Learning Platforms & Tools to provide flexible access to courses and learning materials and Hackathon event to allow students to work on real-world innovation challenges.
- Access to cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure) for data-intensive research.
- Digital Libraries through subscriptions on research databases (e.g., Scopus, Web of Science) for access to up-to-date scientific knowledge and open-access journals to ensure equitable learning opportunities.
About the financial resources, based on my experience investments are needed in several areas to ensure the sustainability of future-skills education programs:
- In terms of, Public and Private Funding for example participating in EU research and innovation programs (e.g., Horizon Europe, ERDF) to finance skill development initiatives, National and regional funding (leveraging as well on special conditions for the two outermost regions) to support universities in upgrading infrastructure and developing new programs, as well as Corporate sponsorships & university-industry partnerships for funding hands-on projects and internships.
- Scholarships & Mobility Grants like Erasmus+ mobility grants to encourage international exchanges for students and faculty to learn from leading institutions.
- Seed Funding for Startups & Innovation ProjectsUniversity startup incubators and venture capital programs to support entrepreneurial students and researchers. In this regard we have done one big but first step deploying the first ULPGC's CLAB edition.
Last but for sure not least in terms of importance Human Resources because developing future skills requires highly qualified educators, mentors, and industry experts:
- Hiring faculty with expertise in AI, data science. It's not only the future, but it's the current time (it's my business of course) even inviting guest lecturers from industry to provide insights into real-world applications of academic knowledge or mentorship networks connecting students with professionals from leading European universities and global companies. As well entrepreneurial & Soft Skills Trainers like Experts in design thinking, communication, negotiation, and leadership or Career coaches and startup mentors to guide students in developing business ideas and securing funding
- Administrative & Technical Support Staff as IT specialists to maintain digital learning platforms and other suggested tools.
Desigining a sustainable funding plan should be a goal of institutions of any European Univeristy. A further public-private collaboration should be sought. Financial resources coming from national/international agencies have revealed as an indispensable way to support the research.
Technological resources are, of course, necessary in our technology highly dependant world, therefore, this is something entities cannot disregard.
Nevertheless, without or with limited staff to manage all this or any other initiative, the purpose becomes almost impossible to achieve or, when achieved, the quality is highly likely to be deficient. Moreover, the negative impact stemming from the stress to fulfill all tasks inmediately hampers everyone´s life. Pursueing a robust structure in the entities could help to the retention of talent in both academic and administrative human resources.
AI is a must. It is already in part of our lives but the development is so fast that in the not distant future it will be an essencial tool for any proffesional.
Last but not least, an integrated and holistic approach in education: not only technological and/or financial resources are important, the critical thinking should be included in all degrees. A societay cannot strive if only the financial spirit is the prevalence over the human side.