How should universities prepare graduates for future work?

Criticism of universities and colleges for failing to produce work-ready graduates continues around the world and is undermining trust in higher education. Employers report persistent skills gaps while graduates face uncertain careers and changing expectations as generative AI transforms jobs and skills needs.

How should higher education evolve to prepare graduates for a world of work being reshaped by generative AI and wider economic and technological change? What should universities, employers and governments each contribute – and how can we ensure that all graduates have the opportunity to thrive?

A panel of experts who are at the intersection of higher education, skills and employment will speak on these and related questions at an upcoming free webinar titled “How should higher education prepare graduates for future work?” to be held on Thursday, 10 December at 16:00 GMT/UTC.

This webinar is part of a series on key developments affecting higher education, hosted by University World News in partnership with ABET, the global quality assurance and accreditation agency. The webinars are designed to deliver both high-level debate and practical guidance for university leaders, academics and senior staff.

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Questions for discussion

• What should every graduate be able to do by 2030?

What knowledge, skills, capabilities and experiences will matter most in the years ahead, and how can higher education help graduates develop them?

• How must higher education change to deliver these outcomes?

How can universities rethink curricula, assessment and learning experiences for a world in which AI is increasingly ubiquitous, and what is the unique contribution that a university education can make?

• Who should take responsibility, and who should invest?

How might universities, employers and governments share responsibility for preparing graduates for changing labour markets? What new partnerships, policies and funding arrangements are needed?

• How can we make graduate employability more equitable?

UN Sustainable Development Goal 8 commits to achieving decent employment for all. How can universities better achieve inclusive success in employability?

Free Webinar: Thursday 10 December 2026. 16:00 GMT/UTC

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The webinar will be moderated by University World News Editor-in-Chief Brendan O’Malley.