Team Details:
| MEHFOOZ ULLAH Assistant Professor Karakorum International University, Gilgit (PI) |
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| ATTAULLAH SHAH Professor Karakorum International University, Gilgit (Co PI) |
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| ZUBAIR AHMED Assistant Professor Karakorum International University, Gilgit (Co PI) |
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| SAMINA SAFDAR Trainer/Researcher Ismaili Tariqa and Religious Board for Pakistan, Gilgit (RA) |
Theme/Relevant Ministry:
GIG ECONOMY:
Ministry of Information Technology & Telecom
Project Brief:
This research explores the impact of the gig economy and its currency, i.e., micro-credentials, on traditional degree education programs offered by public sector universities in Pakistan. Using skill-biased technological change theory, as a theoretical point of departure, this study will explore the preparedness level of universities for embracing the gig economy, examining whether or not the freelancing trends are influencing their educational and student career planning strategies. Following in-depth qualitative methods, this study will also explore the efforts of public sector universities to balance the value of traditional academic degrees amid the growing need for skill-specific micro-credentials for freelancing. Finally, the study explores the readiness of policymakers to address the challenges and opportunities of the gig economy/freelancing, aiming to propose a comprehensive framework that integrates freelancing skills into regular degree programs while maintaining the worth of field-specific knowledge offered by the degree education.
Public Policy Relevance:
The findings of this study can assist the leadership and policymakers in higher education to formally embrace the potential of freelancing and help them develop strategies to address the challenges and capitalize on the opportunities presented by this shift in the labour market. While the universities are struggling to align their curriculum with the industry, the findings of the study can be helpful for university leadership and policy makers to gauge the real-time significance and value of integrating ‘skills for freelancing’ in traditional degree programs.