It was United States Army War College General Maxwell Thurman who, back in the early 90s, first coined the acronym VUCA – volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous – to characterise the challenges of operating in an increasingly global environment.
In a VUCA world, there are rarely right or wrong answers, and we are often required to analyse complex situations and make decisions based on incomplete information. While this addresses the immediate industry demand, technology changes are rapid, and those applied skills tend to become outdated quickly.
Universities should consider retaining elements of online learning, virtual teams and off-campus learning, and integrate these into the learning experience in a way that fosters greater resilience in students.If students learn how they can cope with stress in university, they will be better equipped to do so when they graduate and join the workforce.
Lesson 6: Diversify the university experienceResilience is developed through diverse experiences that expose and challenge individuals in different ways.