Maximising stakeholders’ benefits of work integrated learning programs: schools of chemical engineering

Abstract

BackgroundStakeholders' perceptions are important for the success of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programs. Operating a WIL program successfully requires close collaborations among three key stakeholders: the institution, the industry, and the student. The strength of these collaborations depends on benefits that subsequently arise. This thesis explores the benefits stakeholders could gain from participating in WIL and investigates their perceptions of WIL's values. This research aims at: Exploring the stakeholders' perceptions of benefits they receive and the effectiveness of WIL; Recommending an operational framework for a WIL program; and  Proposing a structured reflective practice as a tool to help academics improve student learning.The recommended operational framework suggests strategies that maximises WIL's stakeholders' benefits. These benefits will hopefully lead to more engagements by the stakeholders in pledging recurrent financial support and committing to being permanent placements. MethodsThe University of Wisconsin Extension's logic model was adapted to develop a WIL operational model. This model was used as guidelines to operate and evaluate a WIL program. Three WIL programs in schools of chemical engineering in Australia and Thailand were studied. Based on their roles and responsibilities within WIL, its stakeholders were classified into nine categories, comprising university executives, academics, current students, alumni, industrial mentors (sponsors), employers, alumni and sponsors, alumni and employers, and sponsors and employers.The data of the stakeholders' perceptions were obtained through three collection methods: Student reflection analysis -to investigate learning development and attribute improvement of students,  Questionnaire -to explore WIL operational models and issues, and iii  Interviews -to investigate what benefits the stakeholders gained from participating WIL, how they perceived these benefits, and the problems that occurred. Results -Stakeholders' perceptions of WIL programs and a WIL operational frameworkResearch results show that WIL could help students improve their learning and graduate attributes such as ethics through interactions with professionals. The results also reveal important factors that could interfere with student learning at placement: placements' policies, engineers' academic backgrounds and behaviours, academics' experience, and students' learning attitudes and skills.The questionnaire shows that improving students' experiences and strengthening industry linkages are key factors underpinning the establishment of WIL programs by institutions.While WIL offers an opportunity for students to enhance their learning experience, additional support from the university, such as the management of academics' workload or administrative issues, may be required to consolidate the industry linkage.As for industry placement, most companies perceive recruiting prospective employees and obtaining project results as valuable benefits from participating ...