New programmes and initiatives to equip students with essential skills for the post-pandemic world

Before Covid-19, technology was already impacting the way we do things. The seismic disruption caused by the virus simply accelerated this shift to a heavier reliance on technology.

Mr Andrew Chew, Chief Commercial Officer of the Singapore campus of James Cook University (JCU) notes, "I recently read the book The Future Is Faster Than You Think by Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kotler. Whilst it is close to impossible to predict the future, this book offered a glimpse into how converging technology will reshape every industry and change our lives. It made me reflect on not only what the future will hold, but also on the five essential skills one will need to succeed in a post-pandemic world."

"The first skill is technology literacy. However, as having all the technical skills in the world is of little use without being able to communicate, people skills are crucial and necessary for yet another skill - developing networks. Being innovative and having the aptitude to think critically round off my list."

Building sustainable partnerships

In the past year, JCU has launched several new initiatives to strengthen its position and bolster students' learning in a post-pandemic era.

Explains Mr Chew: "As JCU continues to grow, these initiatives were launched to meet the needs of our diverse student population and ensure that they are prepared for the future.

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"These new initiatives, combined with our modern teaching approach and educational tools, allow our students to learn and develop the five essential skills to succeed in the post-pandemic era."

In 2019, the university established an advisory board of distinguished industry leaders. Through this, it has forged even deeper links with the business community to inform the university's development and to create more joint opportunities.

Last year, it also formed two sub-committees: one for JCU's Business School and the other, its School of Science and Technology to provide more platforms of input for its curriculum development.

Additionally, the university has been very active in establishing industry partnerships relevant to its courses. In the last year, it has signed nearly 20 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with businesses that cover topics as diverse as sponsorship of book prizes, internships and graduate hire, industry talks for students, and research collaboration.

Says Mr Chew: "We recognise that for our graduates to be career-ready, we must have strong relationships with business leaders and companies to help develop our curriculum and make it relevant to industry needs. These relationships create employment opportunities for our graduates.

"Ultimately it is a win-win situation. We equip our graduates with what companies are looking for so that they can contribute meaningfully to their employer."

Grooming the workforce of tomorrow

Singapore being a technology and business hub, JCU recently announced a suite of new programmes to meet the needs of the workforce of the future. The Industry 4.0 programmes cover in-demand areas such as Cybersecurity, Data Science, Internet of Things, and Marketing for the Digital Age to prepare students for contemporary careers and the challenges of tomorrow.

The university has also revamped its Master of Business Administration programmes with six new majors for students to select from, including Analytics and Business Solutions, Creative Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Global Talent Management, and MICE, Tourism and Hospitality.

Analytics and Business Solutions, Global Talent Management and Creative Marketing - are also available on a part-time basis, making them ideal for mid-career professionals who want to keep working full-time, deepen their knowledge and expertise in highly sought-after fields, and earn an MBA to boost their career prospects.

In addition, the announcement at the end of July 2021 that JCU in Singapore has earned the prestigious business accreditation from AACSB is a sign of JCU's excellence in business education.

Notes Mr Chew: "JCU is well known for its psychology and business programmes. As we expand our offerings with these Industry 4.0 syllabuses, our graduates will be more than tech-savvy; they will be skilled, too.

"Our students learn people skills through collaborative learning. Thanks to our industry connections, we also provide opportunities for them to establish networks before graduation. Our curriculums promote innovative and critical thinking, preparing JCU graduates for the workforce of tomorrow."

Click here to find out the right part-time degree programme at JCU for you.