Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Education in Universities and Its Relevance to Job Market Perspectives Universities and Its Relevance to Job Market Perspectives

Abstract

Attached

Higher education in Sri Lanka has captured leT in a large degree to create technologically sound graduates who can effectively face to the challenges in this rapidly changing job market demands with technology advancement. However, literature reveals that ICT adoption has not been taken place among university students to achieve the concern. These circumstances constitute why undergraduates do not use leT up to the desired level. Therefore, this study aims to explore the present situation regarding leT in universities and the job market, identifying necessity ofICT skills and the factors affecting to use leT and strategies to promote using leT in universities. The study followed the phenomenological approach using qualitative paradigm through semi structured interviews and focus group discussions. Altogether 24 semi structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted at the four selected universities and various other fields. The data was analyzed using thematic content analytical techniques. Results revealed that the basic K'T is an essential component for todays job market and advanced leT skills cause to have higher positions. Universities were making efforts to make graduates K'T literate by enhancing their facilities, resources and courses. To receive benefits using K'T, as lecturers believe that students should use IC'I', ease related to K'T, availability of more infrastructure facilities, community to which students belong, prior leT experience, gender, subject streams and the university belong were the main factors identified for using ICT. The strategies to promote using ICT in universities were to enhance the leT environment of universities including infrastructure, staff and courses, to promote leT based education, and to form strategic plans to force students to make full use of leT in universities. It is recommended that the strategies brought up the interviewees could be implemented at university level to improve the ICT education.