Higher education student engagement, leadership potential and self-perceived employability in the United Arab Emirates

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Studies in Higher Education

Publication Date

1-1-2024

Abstract

Higher education student engagement (HESE) is increasingly essential for developing employability and leadership potential. While several academic institutions worldwide have underscored the importance of fostering leadership skills, there remains an evident gap in the UAE’s understanding of the impact of student engagement on leadership potential and perceived employability. Thus, by adopting a quantitative research approach, this study validates the HESE scale and examines its associations with leadership potential (LP) and self-perceived employability (SPE) among undergraduate students in the UAE. The results reveal that increased student engagement significantly enhances LP and is positively associated with SPE. In addition, a higher level of HESE notably strengthens the relationship between LP and SPE. Universities in the UAE can leverage these findings to refine their activities to improve student engagement initiatives, which could bridge the current skills gap and boost student readiness for the competitive labour market. The research recommends integrating comprehensive student engagement strategies in higher education to develop essential leadership skills and confidence in employability among students, aligning academic preparation with market demands.

ISSN

0307-5079

Publisher

Informa UK Limited

Disciplines

Education

Keywords

Higher education student engagement, leadership potential, self-perceived employability, UAE, undergraduate students

Scopus ID

85196668084

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS