Roles and Challenges faced by Heads of Academic Department in Reforming University Curricula to Promote Graduate Employability

Abstract

This paper examines the roles played by heads of academic department (HODs) and the challenges they face in reforming their units’ curricula to promote graduate employability in a university college in Uganda. The study arose as a result of the persistent complaints raised by employers and other stakeholders about the lack of employable skills among university graduates in the country in spite of the several curricular reviews taking place in the institution. Using the qualitative approach, data were collected from four purposively selected HODs through in-depth interviews. Study results showed, among others, that: first, the participants had different understanding of what graduate employability is: while some conceptualised it as the possession of employable skills by the graduates, others viewed it as the ability of a university student to complete his/her study programme and obtain gainful employment. Second, the participants revealed that they often enable the reforming of the curricula to promote graduate employability by: involving and motivating stakeholders in curricular reviews; offering effective leadership; and by providing requisite information and support to their staff during curriculum reviews and development, among others. Finally, the study participants reported facing several challenges in reforming the curricula of their units - including: limited co-operation by stakeholders, rapidly changing societal needs, and shortage of funds to aid the process of curriculum reviews and development. Therefore, we concluded that while HODs seemed committed to reforming university curricula to promote graduate employability, their efforts are fraught by a repertoire of challenges; thus, we recommend for increased institutional support to enable HODs effectively play their roles in promoting graduate employability.