Practice-Integrated Study Programs in Agriculture Sciences for A Better School to Work Transition in Albania and Kosovo: A Stakeholders Overview

Abstract

The quality of study programs in higher education plays a crucial role in helping graduates transition from university to the labor market. There is a risk of losing qualified human resources in a knowledge-based society and economy if the education provided does not meet the needs of the labor market. This has led governments and higher education institutions in Albania and Kosovo to reconsider their academic offerings and study program curriculums to better integrate graduates into the labor market. This study examines how stakeholders, both private and public institutions, perceive the practical orientation of higher education study programs in agricultural sciences. A structured questionnaire with closed-ended questions using a Likert rating scale was used to analyze the views and expectations of employees in the public and private sectors about the practical skills that graduates in agricultural sciences should possess. The total number of analyzed questionnaires was 294. Employers in the labor market consider work-based placements, continuous training, and international training of students as "very important" to meet the demand for skills in the labor market. More than 91% of public institution executives stressed the importance of "practice" in reducing the practical skills gap for students, compared to 78% of private sector employees. The findings revealed that public employees are more aware than private sector employers that close cooperation between HEIs and work-life partners is crucial for producing a “university product” that meets future society's needs.