Applied Credit Hours Policy for University-Industry Linkages

The Summary

The two-century-old time-based measurement in higher education must be challenged. Pakistan needs a policy for a minimum of 25% learning through the application as Applied Credit Hours in the universities. 

Laitinen, A. (2012) opened the academic debate of time-based education versus learning-based education by writing the “Cracking the credit hour”. The time measurement unit designed for faculty compensation and pension was adopted to measure students learning and awarding a degree in higher education back in the 19th Century. This time unit of education took very strong roots in the system and not changed for two centuries. The new scholarly discussion is challenging this time-based education measurement and inviting policymakers to consider competency-based measurement. 

The revision in credit hours policy can be used to foster university-industry linkages. It will improve students’ job placement, increase academic relevancy with changing market, make faculty more oriented of market needs and develop a culture of problem-solving research. This will lead to socio-economic development and economic returns for the country.   

The Faculty Credit Hours in Industry and Community 

The system of higher education measures faculty performance through the allocation of certain credit hours. In Pakistan, the faculty credit hours are dedicated to classroom teaching only. This contributes more than 70% to faculty performance. The faculty needs to be given certain credit hours for working on applied projects with industry and community. 

The revised policy may advocate that 15%-25% of credit hours be offered for working in industry and community. This will demand little financial sacrifice from the universities but will bring higher economic returns in the long term. The faculty spending 3 credit hours in industry and community can sell this experience to win funded research projects, bring sponsorships from industry and improve applied research and education. 

The new policy may encourage universities to spare 10% of faculty spend 3 credit hours in industry or community organizations per year.  

The Students Credit Hours in Industry and Community 

Currently, the students in Pakistani universities spend all credit hours on-campus learning. The Pakistan Engineering Council has devised a policy for Outcome-based Learning that encourages student for outcome-based learning. Higher Education Commission has started some initiatives in this regard. The students need to have the option of spending credit hours in the industry and community. This option needs to be managed through strong governance to prevent fake industry letters and fake projects. 

The policy in higher education must advocate for a minimum of 25% credit hours in field-based learning in industry, community, and other real-life settings. 

Financial Voucher for Applied Credit Hours 

The financial loss of the university may prevent sparing faculty for applied credit hours. Similarly, there will be no incentives for students to opt for applied credit hours and will go for an easy escape. The industry will be reluctant to support and welcome students and faculty.

The Government of Pakistan needs to issue a financial voucher of applied credit hours given to the practitioners; industry and community organizations. The practitioners will hire faculty and students through this financial voucher and paid by the government.

Rs. 100,000/- may be given to faculty for spending 03 credit hour in industry and community and Rs. 15000 to a student for 03 credit hour in industry and community.  

 The Tax Credit for Applied Credit Hours 

Alternatively, the tax credit may be offered to the private sector for paying against applied credit hours of faculty and students. The paid amount be deducted from the payable taxes. This will inspire the private sector to increase engagement with academia and hire maximum faculty and students to get involved in practical life. 

Policy for Academic Assessment for Applied Credit Hours 

The academic assessment of faculty and students needs to have a good weight of applied credit hours. The faculty promotion, annual appraisal, and increments need to be linked with applied credit hours. Similarly, the students' final degree must be linked with a minimum of 25% applied credit hours.

The Conclusion 

The concept of applied credit hours needs to be introduced in higher education in Pakistan. This will lead to competency-based and outcome-based learning. This will improve university-industry linkages and foster socio-economic progress in the country. 

The applied credit hours must be part of the academic governance system and backed by financial incentives, career incentives, and inspiration for all students, faculty, industry, and universities.

Author: Rahmat Ullah: Executive Director, Institute of Research Promotion, Director, CICS-USKT and Advisor R&D, Bin Qutab Foundation. [email protected]  

References

Heffernan, J. M. (1973). The credibility of the credit hour: the history, use, and shortcomings of the credit system. The Journal of Higher Education, 44(1), 61-72.

Laitinen, A. (2012). Cracking the credit hour. New America Foundation.

Laitinen, A. (2013). Recommendations on Cracking the Credit Hour by Moving from Time to Learning. FROM THE EDITORS.

Shedd, J. M. (2003). The history of the student credit hour. New directions for higher education, 2003(122), 5-12.

Voorhees, R. A. (2001). Competency‐Based learning models: A necessary future. New directions for institutional research, 2001(110), 5-13.