AI Solutions for Education-Industry Innovation
The real world is messy: why aren’t our student projects?
Dr Craig Sutherland, The University of Auckland
Academia and the real world often have a hard time meshing together, as seen in the experience of a university lecturer who attempted to give his students real-world projects to work on. The first year went well, but the second year was disrupted by the pandemic, and things went "horribly wrong." There are three main reasons why academics may not enjoy working on real-world projects:
they require a lot of time and effort
they often come with uncertainty and lack of control, and
they can be unpredictable and messy.
There are several reasons why students may find working on real-world projects to be a challenging endeavour. These projects are known to be time-consuming and require a significant investment of effort. Additionally, they often come with a degree of uncertainty and lack of control, making it difficult for students to plan and execute the project. Furthermore, real-world projects can be unpredictable and messy, with unexpected twists and turns that can derail the best-laid plans.
However, there are ways to make real-world projects more manageable for students. One key strategy is foresight and taking preventative steps to avoid potential issues. This can include setting clear expectations and boundaries with both students and industry partners, as well as finding ways to mitigate risk and uncertainty. Additionally, having a support system in place, such as colleagues, mentors, or industry partners, can provide invaluable assistance in navigating the challenges that inevitably arise when working on real-world projects.
Despite the difficulties that can come with real-world projects, they can also be incredibly rewarding for both academics and students. By giving students the opportunity to work on real projects with real clients or companies, they can gain valuable hands-on experience and develop skills that will be useful in their future careers. Furthermore, for students, real-world projects can provide a sense of fulfilment and purpose, as they are able to make a meaningful impact on their community.
In conclusion, while real-world projects can be challenging, they offer numerous benefits for both academics and students. By finding ways to effectively manage these projects and building a supportive network of colleagues and industry partners, we can bridge the gap between academia and the real world and provide valuable learning experiences for everyone involved.
You can watch Craig’s full speech on the TechTALK YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCw6mJX4zRk
