Naif O. Alawbathani

Session Summary:

This session explores how strategic partnerships between academic institutions and industry can transform student preparation for the workforce. The discussion examines comprehensive approaches to designing and building programs that train and develop students throughout their university experience, ensuring they are market-ready and recruitable before graduation. Through integrated career and community responsibility practices, scholarship opportunities, and direct employment pathways, these partnerships create seamless transitions from classroom to career. Participants will discover practical frameworks for establishing meaningful collaborations that benefit students, universities, and industry partners alike. The presentation provides actionable strategies for developing programs that align academic learning with real-world requirements, ultimately producing graduates who are prepared, confident, and employment-ready. By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

 

• Understand strategic academia-industry partnership models and understand how collaborative program design prepares students for market demands and career success

• Design integrated student development programs that combine academic learning with career preparation, and experiential learning pathways that produce work-ready graduates aligned with market needs

• Implement pathways to employment through structured frameworks connecting university programs directly to employment opportunities

Speakers

• 

  Alhassan Badahdah | Director of Student Employment & Training - King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals - KFUPM

• 

  Naif O. Alawbathani | Head of Consulting Sector - International Human Resource Co.

Categories

• Higher Education