Educating for the Asian Century: University Work-Based Learning Initiatives for a Future-Ready Workforce
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CALL FOR PAPERS
Educating for the Asian Century: University Work-Based Learning Initiatives for a Future-Ready Workforce
Journal: Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning
Publisher: Emerald Publishing
Submission Opens: 1 January 2026
Submission Deadline: 1 July 2026
Introduction
The rise of the Asian Century is transforming higher education and work worldwide. Rapid digitalization, regional integration, and the expansion of multinationals across Asia are reshaping employment patterns and skill demands globally. Universities — both in Asia and beyond — must therefore reimagine how they prepare graduates for careers that transcend borders and cultures, targeting Asian labour markets.
Work-Based Learning (WBL) — including Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) — has emerged as a key strategy for aligning education with evolving labour markets and for developing adaptable, globally minded, future-ready graduates. Asian universities must cultivate a skilled workforce to sustain rapid economic development, while Western universities must equip students with the intercultural, adaptive, and professional capabilities to engage effectively in Asian contexts.
This Special Issue investigates how institutions across Asia and other regions are advancing WBL to meet the opportunities and challenges of the Asian Century — showcasing pedagogical innovations, university–industry partnerships, and policy frameworks that integrate academic learning with authentic workplace experiences.
Scope & Significance
The originality of this Special Issue lies in its dual focus on Asian-led models and Western adaptations explicitly designed for Asia-engaged learning. Existing scholarship has prioritized Western frameworks — leaving gaps in understanding how Asian universities conceptualize and operationalize WBL within local policy, cultural, and industrial settings.
Meanwhile, Western universities are reconfiguring WIL through:
Asia-focused placements
Transnational and branch-campus internships
Virtual global WIL with Asian partners
Curricula integrating language, cultural intelligence, and regional market knowledge
By integrating regional and cross-regional perspectives, this Special Issue advances theory and practice on cultivating globally mobile graduates who are digitally agile, interculturally competent, and ready to contribute to diverse, transnational workplaces.
The Special Issue directly responds to initiatives such as ASEAN's Future Skills Agenda, Australia's Indo-Pacific engagement strategy, and Asia–Europe university partnerships.
UN SDG Alignment
🎓 SDG 4 — Quality Education
🏭 SDG 8 — Decent Work & Economic Growth
⚙️ SDG 9 — Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
🤝 SDG 17 — Partnerships for the Goals
List of Topic Areas
Manuscripts are invited on themes including, but not limited to:
National or regional policies supporting university–industry collaboration in Asia
Strategic governance and quality assurance of WBL in higher education
Comparison of Asian-led and Western WBL approaches designed for Asia-engaged learning
Locally grounded innovations in work-integrated curricula across Asian higher education systems
Collaborative frameworks for future skills development in the Asian Century
Employer engagement and co-design of authentic learning experiences
Pedagogies that enhance global mindset, adaptability, and professional identity
Preparation for transnational and intercultural work environments
Use of digital technologies, simulations, and virtual internships to extend WBL opportunities
WBL practices supporting diverse learners and regional development
Contributions of WBL to sustainable, inclusive, and lifelong learning in Asia
WBL in offshore campuses or dual-degree programs with Asian partners
Challenges and opportunities in managing global placements and supervision
Innovative approaches to assessing authentic learning in the workplace
Reflection and feedback mechanisms for employability skill development
Guest Editors
Dr. Nghia Tran 📧 (contact via journal submission platform)
Prof. Ly Tran 📧 (contact via journal submission platform)
Dr. Qi Sun 📧 (contact via journal submission platform)
Dr. Hiep-Hung Pham 📧 (contact via journal submission platform)
Key Deadlines
📅 Manuscript Submission Opens: 1 January 2026
⏰ Manuscript Submission Deadline: 1 July 2026
Submission Guidelines
Submissions are made through ScholarOne Manuscripts, the official submission platform of Emerald Publishing. Authors must strictly follow the journal's author guidelines.
When submitting, select "Educating for the Asian Century: University Work-Based Learning Initiatives for a Future-Ready Workforce" from the special issue drop-down menu at the appropriate step in the submission process.
⚠️ Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication elsewhere while under review for this journal.
🌐 Submission Portal: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/heswbl
🌐 Author Guidelines: https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/heswbl
About the Journal
Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning (HESWBL), published by Emerald Publishing, is a leading peer-reviewed journal dedicated to advancing research and practice in work-based and work-integrated learning within higher education. It provides an international platform for scholars, educators, and practitioners exploring how universities can effectively prepare graduates for the demands of contemporary and future labour markets across diverse regional and global contexts.
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