Formulation and Critical Examination of the Employability Model for Higher Education Graduates with a Focus on the Strategic Documents of Persian Gulf University: A Norman Fairclough Approach

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 . Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Educational Sciences, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.

2 Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Educational Sciences, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

Abstract
Objective: This research aims to develop and critically examine a model of employability for higher education graduates, with an emphasis on the strategic document of Persian Gulf University.
Method: The study consists of two main phases. Initially, a model for the employability of higher education graduates is identified and developed using qualitative content analysis and interviews with academic and industry experts. After identifying the model, a critical approach is taken to analyze the strategic document of Persian Gulf University, exploring the aspects of student employability and examining the alignment and divergence of the identified model with the aforementioned document.
Results: In the first phase, based on the perspectives of higher education experts, 15 key features were identified for the employability development model of higher education graduates. These features include: job-oriented educational assessment and planning, development of education and counseling, industry connections, pre-university evaluation, attention to documents, consideration of cultural capacities, development of applied research, monitoring of new technologies, promotion of cultural and educational activities, establishment of monitoring and evaluation systems, training in real work environments, utilization and development of skilled human resources in employment, strengthening and developing employment infrastructure, economic planning and empowerment, and sustainable planning. In the second phase, the strategic document of Persian Gulf University was analyzed and interpreted at three levels: description, interpretation, and explanation.
Conclusions: Persian Gulf University lacks coherence and homogeneity in its employment policy-making, necessitating the adoption of macro approaches and directives from national science and technology policy-making bodies to accelerate regional development.

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