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Do educational organizations need to go beyond the self-imposed dichotomies of preparing students for either career or direct them towards their passions, guide them towards professional success or goad them towards a balance that will keep them happy? Whether models of teaching/learning would have to evolve through disruption or perish in future? That is the motivation for our study which seeks to understand in depth, the values of post-millennial higher education students and suggest consequently a broad contour of academic structure that might accommodate their preferences. We purposely select a sample cohort of brightest Generation Z students of an eminent technological university who can articulate freely their deepest feelings and perceptions about their hopes andfears. Through qualitative research tools we obtain their rich inputs to propose a model of teaching /learning based upon four superordinate Generation Z values (viz. instrumental - career & passions; terminal - success & happiness) in the context of higher education. Finally, we propose a framework for change of educational organizations in terms of their curriculum, pedagogy and culture.
Keywords: Generation Z, educational institutions, career, pedagogy, curriculum
INTRODUCTION
The new global knowledge economy which is driven by information and communication, has significantly changed the way organizations function. Universities and higher educational institutions that are complex, specialized forms of organizations have also been significantly impacted by this change, as well as the expectation of Generation Z (post-millennials) students who are learning focused, achievement driven and rely extensively on technology for their support. With diminishing geographical boundaries, increasing willingness of students to pay for quality education and, with various stakeholders keen on maximizing their returns, it is indeed a challenge for institutions of higher education to create value for Generation Z students.
In order to remain relevant in the future and keep pace with the changing values of Generation Z universities should go beyond their self-imposed dichotomies and prepare the students to balance their career and passions, thereby help them achieve professional success and personal happiness. Therefore, the challenge of educating "creme de la creme" of Generation Z would require us to deeply understand their passions, values and career expectations.
The purpose of our study is to understand in depth, the values of Generation Z higher education students and suggest consequently a...