Improving university competitiveness and quality education through Human Resource Development in the digital era

Abstract

In its quest for quality education, Higher Education Institutions (HEI) ascribed to the UN's SDG 4 Quality Education in ensuring that inclusive and equitable quality education will promote lifelong learning and opportunities for all. The critical role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in building teaching skills, fostering knowledge, and engagement with society are significant factors in developing its human resources, particularly, the faculty. The benefits and challenges brought about by Industry 4.0 drive the universities to integrate quality education into their mission of promoting positive change, lifelong learning, and competitiveness. The study utilized qualitative and descriptive design to probe the variabilities and similarities of Human Resource Development strategies, quality education initiatives, and university competitiveness of HEIs in Bandung and Manila. Thematic analysis was carried out to produce more conclusive results. The researchers applied a data condensation process to form a perceived relevant category and a theme was created based on strategies and competitiveness. The significant result shows a deficit in the strategy to target specific faculty KSAs in the personal development in-service programs instituted by the HEIs in Manila. Remarkable are the many organizational strategies employed by both cities that yields quality education indicator (management) particularly the essential role of the HEI in instituting policies for faculty’s wholistic development. Results on competitiveness denote compliance to most functional capacities of both cities as a valuable means of mobility as the education workers meet the demands of their job. Moreover, the strong partnership with local and international agencies solidifies various developmental programs and the social relevance of the university. The study recommends further study on the impact of the educational global ranking system in the retention of human resources and employment of graduates.