Department of Human Resource Management Enhancement Themes Conference March 2009 Lessons from a decade of Practice: Key Principles for developing Graduates for the 21st century Aileen Watson, MDP Manager, Dept HRM Bill Johnston Centre for Academic Practice and Learning Enhancement

Department of Human Resource Management Strathclyde Business School Business comes first - we place emphasis on real business issues. Our Management Development Programme, which is central to all our degrees, is highly valued by employers 1 of only 37 business schools in the world (out of 3500), and only Scottish business school with international accreditation (AMBA, AACSB and EQUIS)‏

Department of Human Resource Management 21 st Century Business Graduates Management Development Programme MDP MDP contributes to: Enhance employability over 3 years of SBS UG programme Develop business, management and personal skills for future career and lifelong learning Self awareness, identity and individual values

Department of Human Resource Management Key Principles for curriculum renewal Organisational commitment Environmental scan SBS Strategic direction Curriculum structure Credit bearing Compulsory ‘Place of useful learning’ Focus for innovation and enhancement Teaching Team/ shared pedagogy Manager Year co-ordinators Education Developer Multi-disciplinary Reflexive development Thematic ‘Away Days’ Focus for innovation and enhancement

Department of Human Resource Management Active Learning Design Student team collaboration Projects Reflection and Feedback Self regulation ‘Skills’ Dedicated VLE First year experience and transition Employer partnerships Hard work requires dedicated staff time Involvement in giving feedback to students Practical exercises Reinforcement of value and relevance Employability

Department of Human Resource Management Graduate Student feedback The MDP offers Strathclyde graduates a wide range of benefits. It helps students to develop the key skills that employers are looking for from graduates such as communication, teamworking, leadership and problem-solving. The programme also highlights the importance of reflection in the development of skills that can enhance overall employability. (Graduated 2008, Ernst Young) At Accenture, we always work in groups and are often thrown out of our comfort zone in a plethora of ways. MDP prepared me to throw myself into challenges within the working world and gave me confidence that I could complete tasks that I had never previously tried. (Graduated 2008)

Department of Human Resource Management Discussion How relevant and consistent is this approach with your experience? What are the implications of the current economic environment for Developing Graduates for 21 st century?

Department of Human Resource Management References Johnston, B. and Watson, A. (2004). Participation, reflection and integration for business and lifelong learning: pedagogical challenges of the integrative studies programme at the university of Strathclyde Business School. Journal of Workplace Learning 16:1/2, Johnston, B. and Watson, A. (2006). Employability: Approaches to developing student career awareness and reflective practice in undergraduate business studies. IN Higher Education and Working Life – Collaborations, Confrontations and Challenges. Eds.: Tynjala, P, Valimaa, J. and Boulton-Lewis, G. Amsterdam: Elsevier ( in association with Earli) Aileen Watson,Manager MDP, Senior Lecturer HRM Bill Johnston, Education Developer, Senior Lecturer,CAPLE