UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY LINKAGE AND GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA
Ameh, Eyiene, Okpa, Ovat Egbe
Department of Educational Administration and Planning
Faculty of Education
University of Calabar, Calabar
Email: eyiene.ameh@gmail.com, revovatokpa@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
This study examined university-industry linkage and graduate employment in Cross River State, Nigeria. One research question and one null hypothesis was stated to guide the study. Survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of all the 64 head of academic departments in the University of Calabar. Accidental sampling technique was adopted to get the sample of 50 head of academic departments. An instrument titled “University-Industry Linkage and Graduate Employment Questionnaire (UILGEQ)” was used for data collection. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using Multiple Regression analysis. Results obtained revealed that university-industry linkage in terms of curriculum review and students’ internship are significant predictors of graduate employment. Based on the findings, it was concluded that graduate unemployment will be highly reduced, if there is a high level of collaboration between the universities and industries in Cross River State. It was recommended that universities should collaborate with industries in the periodic review of the curriculum so as to prepare students for the world of work.
Keywords:University, Industry, Linkage, Curriculum Review, Students’ Internship
