Institutionalise Experiential Learning to Nurture Humanity-Centred, Entrepreneurial Graduates

I am grateful to share that our article, “Experiential Learning Through Impact Projects: A Framework for Implementation,” has been published in the Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice (Q1 in Education).

https://lnkd.in/grrnfsxt

This paper was born from a practical question:
How do we move beyond talking about experiential learning… to actually institutionalising it effectively across disciplines?

Through design-based research involving multiple faculties, we developed a three-stage implementation framework to integrate Impact Projects into the curriculum, ensuring authenticity, structure, and student agency.

Why does this matter now?
Malaysia’s Higher Education Plan 2026–2035 calls for nurturing humanity-centred, entrepreneurial, and adaptable graduates.

Experiential learning cannot remain optional or fragmented. It must be:
• Systematically conceptualised
• Properly integrated into the curriculum
• Supported by institutional ecosystem
• Designed to build agency, empathy, and problem-solving capability

Our study shows that when experiential learning is well-designed and embedded, students do not just complete projects; they develop confidence, responsibility, and the capability to solve real-world challenges.

This aligns deeply with my ongoing work in changemaking education:
If we want entrepreneurial and adaptable graduates, we must design learning environments that mirror real-world complexity rather than just test content mastery.

My sincere appreciation to my co-authors and research collaborators, Veronica Ng and Yen Heng Chang, for their intellectual partnership and dedication throughout this journey. Research is always a team effort.

I remain committed to contributing to Malaysia’s higher education transformation, not only through advocacy, but through research-backed frameworks that institutions can actually implement.

If you are a university leader or academic exploring how to institutionalise experiential learning meaningfully, I would be happy to connect.

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