The Role of Transnational Higher Education STEM Programmes in Preparing Qatari Nationals for Employment

Alyafei, Khalifa and Tight, Malcolm (2024) The Role of Transnational Higher Education STEM Programmes in Preparing Qatari Nationals for Employment. PhD thesis, Lancaster University.

Text (2024KhalifaPhD)
The_Role_of_Transnational_Higher_Education_STEM_Programmes_in_Preparing_Qatari_Nationals_for_Employment.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial.
Download (3MB)

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the effectiveness of international higher education programs in Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths (STEM), especially focusing oninternational branch campuses (IBCs), in preparing nationals for employment, within Qatar’s higher educational system. Transnational education has gained prominence due to globalisation and technological advancements, but there remains a paucity of empirical research examining the perceptions of IBC alumni and employers regarding the employability of graduates, especially in STEM areas. This study employed a human capital theory framework and utilised a qualitative methodology. The interviews were performed utilising the Microsoft Teams platform. Data was gathered in two distinct phases. Initially, the employer who had recruited graduates from Texas A &M University in Qatar (TAMUQ) and Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMUQ) were interviewed, and in the second phase the graduates of TAMUQ and CMUQ were interviewed. A purposive sample of 10 employers was selected to represent the private, semi-government, and state sectors. For the second round, a group of 17 alumni with diverse academic backgrounds and varying levels of professional experience were chosen. Preliminary analysis of employer interviews has revealed challenges faced by IBC graduates, such as cultural adaptation, Arabic language proficiency and insufficient practical experience. Employers underscore the importance of adaptability, communication skills and technological proficiency for successful employment. Conversely, IBC alumni express satisfaction with the assistance received in securing employment and preparing for the workforce, attributing their preparedness to the development of critical thinking, communication and adaptability skills flexibility during their educational journey. This study provides valuable insights into the efficacy of international higher education STEM programmes, emphasising the difficulties encountered by graduates and the competencies they acquire to succeed in the labour market and expectations of employers when they hire graduates. Consequently, it informs future educational strategies and industry practices in Qatar and beyond.