This paper arises from Sun’s investigations of how education responds to change and geographical difference in the design industries. It draws on the experience of students, employers, and tutors in two product design degree programmes delivered respectively at the University of Salford in the UK and at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China, examining the differences in employer engagement embedded within the curriculum and styles of learning.
A key problem faced by HEIs in dealing with employability is the relevance of the curriculum to the employment market. Engaging employers in the curriculum is decisive in addressing this issue for the design industry, given its particular characteristics. Little research exists into how HEIs in different cultures achieve such employer engagement. Understanding these differences helps universities from different regions to seek potential solutions that can lead to effective collaboration.
Two in-depth case studies, supported by interviews, were conducted. The results are represented as two distinctive employer engagement models which are compared in terms of context, employer perception, curriculum development, and challenges for sustainability. The research was carried out under the auspices of the five year PMI-2 (Prime Minister's Initiative for International Education) funded by the British Council and others. The paper was one of six best papers chosen from contributions by academics and researchers among PMI-2 partners and beyond.
Sun continues her research on this topic which has led to a range of publications including an article in Design Management Review 2012; conference contributions for DesignEd Asia 2009 in Hong Kong, Paris-Sèvres Cumulus Working Papers 2012, International Perspectives on Art and Design Pedagogy, Leeds 2010.
This research led to Sun securing £12,000 RCUK funding to deliver a China Summer School in partnership with universities in Shanghai, 2010, piloting cooperative learning on industry projects.