Transversal competences in Italian University Programmes: initial results of a survey

Purpose of this paper: [Our main purpose was to investigate how transversal competences, one of the most important innovations in the teaching world, are dealt with in Italian universities and therefore at the same time assess the quality of university programmes. The results of a survey carried out with the Agnelli Foundation and the collaboration of several faculty deans are here presented. The survey is also part of a larger research project involving entrepreneurs and graduates.] Design/methodology/approach: [A semi-structured questionnaire was e-mailed to all coordinators of university programmes on offer for the academic year 2014/2015. The list of competences originated in a previous research.] Findings: [The survey gave rise to interesting results not only about transversal competences in intramural and extramural courses, but also about overall programme planning and management.] Research limitations/implications: [Even if response to the survey was statistically relevant (37.8%), higher percentages might have been achieved if the questionnaire had been submitted in a more appropriate moment in the academic year.] Practical implications: [The analysis of the results could well stimulate a revision of programme and course content as well as curricula restructuring, with the focus transferred onto students as the central stakeholders] Social Implications: [An examination of the concrete needs of graduates should help increase their chances of entering the labour market, though in no way totally solving the problem of employability.] What is original/value of paper: [While most international documents refer to “basic skills” rather than “general skills”, this preliminary piece of research aimed at identifying the presence /absence of specific competences at university level.]