The Dilemma of Graduate Unemployment within a Context of Poverty, Scarcity and Fragile Economy: Are there Lessons for the University?

Abstract

The context of the work of universities in Sub-Saharan Africa is one of high levels of poverty, scarcities and fragile economies. Even though historically, African universities have been very useful in providing the human resources needed to serve in public and private sectors, the rising trend in graduate unemployment is a call for concern. Whilst graduate unemployment is also a phenomenon across the globe, the situation is particularly severe in Africa where many inhabitants see university education as a live wire to gain economic freedom, acquire prosperity and step into a better living condition. Whilst many Africans still harbour hope in tertiary education (and this can be evident by the increasing demand for university education and enrolment), the resulting effect of higher education is often an acquisition of prestige for having completed that level of education than the economic benefits they aspired for. Given this context, this article draws on a single interpretive case study involving a State-owned university, as well as semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions carried out with participants from disparate backgrounds to uncover voices on graduate unemployment, including the disturbing impact this phenomenon is having on families and the future of many youths. It concludes with recommendations of ways the university and its educational system can be fashioned to foster graduate employability and improvement in the living condition of those living in uncertain and fragile economies.

Fostering Graduate Employability: Rethinking Tanzania’s University Practices

“…The nexus between universities, which prepare the workforce (i.e., graduates), and industries (i.e., employers), which employ that workforce, is important, especially as countries strive to build knowledge-based economies. According to Mbah (2014), the lack of partnerships may result in the absence of programs, courses, and subjects relevant to potential employment. Although scholars have underscored the importance of developing effective HE systems that address the unemployment of graduates (Mpehongwa, 2013), establishing partnerships between HE institutions and employers to provide HE through this modality remains a pressing challenge in most systems (Alves et al, 2007; Brimble & Doner, 2007; De Weert, 2011; E.…”

What Is the Cause of Graduates’ Unemployment? Focus on Individual Concerns and Perspectives

“…However their expected returns may not be satisfied during an economic recession, when workers are laid off (Shapiro, Dundar, Wakhungu, Yuan, Nathan, & Hwang, 2016). Nevertheless, the re-employment rate of educated workers is still higher than that of their less-educated counterparts (Riddell & Song, 2011) Through the education system, people can acquire useful employable skills that can help them overcome the unfavorable market conditions (Rae, 2010;Naong, 2011;Mbah, 2014). Thus students who are facing uncertainty during economic recession reconsider their future career path to meet flexible environment (Chen, Kannan, Trehan, & Loungani, 2011).…”

Promoting Innovative and Entrepreneurial Talent Cultivation in Cameroon Higher Education: Significance, Challenges and Opportunities

“…The exponential growth of the student population in campuses has resulted in a critical increase in the number of graduates release to the job market each year without a corresponding increase in job creation to meet up the increased job demands (Neneh 2014). Many authors advocate that, in recent years, the higher graduation rates have also resulted in an increase in unemployment among graduates, especially graduates of public universities (Elias et al 2004;Ekane 2010;Mbah 2014;Ntemngweh 2016). The unemployment rate seems to increase in Cameroon with the level of education (Cameroon Youths and Students Forum for Peace 2014).…”