What is the Gap Between Education and Organizations in Abu Dhabi?

International schools in Abu Dhabi provide excellent education, but let’s talk about the gap between academia in secondary school and industry requirements in many educational institutions.

What is the gap between academia and organization?

In school, students are often told what to do, how to do it, that is they are often spoon-fed. Questions are not encouraged which brings a gap in the workplace where students are expected to be curious, assertive, divergent thinkers, and solution providers. However, in some of the best international schools in Abu Dhabi, this is encouraged.

Why is this gap important to be addressed in schools in Abu Dhabi?

When a student gets out of school and applies for jobs or goes for higher education, we expect them to meet dynamic parameters. The students must be able to cope and can adapt to change. Not just this, we expect them to exhibit competent soft skills like listening, presenting, making a PPT, etc. However, often in secondary education these skills are not taught which then feels like a hostile environment when they step into the workplace. Therefore, professional skills are very important for a student in Abu Dhabi to experience and learn as the best international schools insist.

How Can I Bridge the Gap between Secondary Education and Organizations in Abu Dhabi?

Due to the uncertainty of the times that we are living in, the importance of bridging this gap in an environment that is so unpredictable with technology being a coherent part of our everyday being is evident. In fact, international school in Abu Dhabi, bridge this gap through various techniques-

  •     Internship opportunities where students can understand the working environment practically and how it functions.
  •     Use of Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, IoT, Virtual Reality in the everyday curriculum so the student is not aghast and shocked by the drastic changes like metaverse in current times.
  •     Offering skill-based courses on various subjects and certifications to constantly skill secondary school students in Abu Dhabi so they are ready with all the skills.
  •     Inviting industry experts and thought leaders to steer conversations and conduct sessions on investment, stock market, and data analytics, amongst other topics. These industry experts will help students get a reality check and insight into what the outside world actually looks like.
  •     Inviting alumni and networking with them so they can teach students their respective subjects wherever they excel at. This helps build a strong network that is immensely helpful during college as well as job referrals, support, and guidance.
  •     Having mentors for students who can identify and help the student identify their strong points and which industry they might work well in and guide them through the process.
  •     Leveraging the excellence of campus and making it state of the art so every corner is a new exploration.
  •     Making learning experiential through various labs and state-of-the-art technology and equipment where students can learn in simulations and real-time. Simulations help create a scenario that might take place and find solutions to this hypothetical problem, ensuring they become curious, and hardworking, and create their own pathways instead of treading on those that are worn out.
  •     Training teachers to make space for discussions and differences of opinion with respect towards every member.
  •     Training teachers on sensitive topics like gender dysphoria, sex education, mental health, etc so that they can inculcate good practices in their everyday teachings and imparting of knowledge to the students.
  •     Finally, teaching students soft skills is a necessity irrespective of the industry or college one goes to as a workforce or a student. Soft skills training and how to overcome stage fright, understanding the pros and cons of every student and making it student-centric rather than one size fits all approach. Soft skills are very promising in terms of results when it comes to placements, job hunting, or any other endeavor.
  •     Supporting students in citizenship acts like volunteering, helping other students learn a new or old subject or topic, and exploring cultural diversities.

 What will Happen Once the Gap between Academia and Organization is met?

Abu Dhabi is a place where a multitude of cultures come together, which means more and more diversity at every point. This also means that there will be constant changes and requirements from organizations to have employees or students who are well trained, especially in soft skills, and can present themselves and their thoughts in an articulate fashion. This does not end here, they will expect the employee to feel comfortable in technological settings and be tech-savvy.

So many creative, out-of-the-box thinking and solution-providing individuals will be sought after. This means if an international school in Abu Dhabi like GIIS or other private institutions are able to bridge this gap, they are helping an individual become job-ready and more than that professionally upskilled and a divergent thinker.

This gap can only be achieved if industries work hand in hand with the schools focussing on secondary school students. It is a collaborative process and if done correctly with the right intentions, you will have accomplished, mature young adults or Gen Z and Gen Alpha with hypnotic ideas that are never seen or heard before, with a lot of experimentation and learning, curiosity.

Conclusion About Bridging the Gap Between Schools and Workplaces in Abu Dhabi

Being such a beautifully diverse place, international schools in Abu Dhabi that provide quality education are a sure shot to help your child become the best versions of themselves. Their approaches are student-centric, especially in secondary education and the focus is on what are the strengths and how to overcome the weaknesses. Good schools will see this gap and act accordingly in the best interest of their secondary school students.

Finally, international schools equip secondary students with global information such that they can become global citizens, in fact now even citizens of the metaverse. Schools that practice transparency, growth, learning will slowly shape a young student into a soon working Gen Z who is accountable, knows how to navigate change and uncertainty and is comfortable with new learnings, and leverages every opportunity they get. 

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