How Universities Can Develop the Next Generation of Leaders
| Pradeep K. Khosla, a speaker at the marcus evans University CXO Summit 2013, on adopting a more holistic approach in educating university students. Interview with: Pradeep K. Khosla, Chancellor, University of California San Diego |
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University leaders have to understand and define their university’s role in the community, to ensure students develop the necessary skills and thinking processes required to become the next generation of leaders, advised Pradeep K. Khosla, Chancellor, University of California San Diego. Industries have to come to campus for students to solve industry challenges, thus generate value for society and create jobs, he added.
A speaker at the marcus evans University CXO Summit 2013, in Atlanta, Georgia, February 11-12, Khosla gives his recommendations for developing students who can make an impact on society.
How can universities be more competitive?
Universities are competitive, but many may have missed the point. University leaders have to focus on understanding their role in the community and the world at large, and what contribution they want to make. At the end of the day, the biggest product they have is their students, so they have to deliver highly qualified people who can hit the ground running and contribute to society.
What approach does this require? How can they develop the next generation of leaders?
Education programs tend to be oriented towards analytical thinking and problem solving, but they need to serve students as a whole person, in a holistic manner, and not just focus on imparting content. Students also develop intellectually and emotionally in their four years there.
Universities have to involve industries, create value-added programs, especially at the graduate level, and employment opportunities. If you look at the problems the world is facing today, there are many issues where technology or science do not lead to an answer. They are multi-disciplinary issues that require multi-disciplinary solutions.
The students being educated right now should have the ability to use the left and right side of their brain simultaneously and be able to work collaboratively in groups environments. Universities have to take a fresh look at what courses students are required to take and what skills will actually help them develop into leaders.
The university’s role is not to simply train people for jobs, but to train leaders who are going to work on problems of societal impact.
Is innovation part of the answer? How can they promote innovation?
Innovation is a process, a style of thinking. When US universities talk about innovation, they talk about technology transfer and assume that will generate extra resources. However, statistically, the return on investment through tech transfer is less than two percent.
In my mind, the way to promote innovation is to bring industry to campus and have problems that are relevant to industry solved by students, then creating a frictionless process for moving the technology out into the open where others can utilize it. This would generate value, and through that, create jobs.
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About the University CXO Summit 2013
This unique forum will take place at the Ritz Carlton, Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia, February 11-12, 2013. Offering much more than any conference, seminar or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event.
For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website
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Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.
About marcus evans Summits
marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com
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