Academic Community and Practitioner Perceptions on Information Technology Competencies: A Gap Analysis

Abstract

Academic institutions must be able to adapt to rapid technological advancements and bridge the continuous skill gap between industry expectations and student academic preparation. This study aimed to analyze and present an updated view of the essential IT competencies perceived by IT practitioners and highlight the skills gap between the perceptions of industry practitioners and the academic community. The study utilized quantitative and qualitative research to determine the most relevant competencies according to IT practitioners and academicians. The findings revealed that competencies in microprocessors, semiconductors, embedded systems, mobile and wireless computing, and robotics were perceived as somewhat important/important by IT practitioners. However, IT faculty members perceived these competencies as very important/important. These findings suggest that there is a gap between the acquired competencies in the university and the competencies needed by the industry. Further, the analysis of the competencies in the different IT jobs revealed the competencies perceived by the IT practitioners vary depending on the specific IT job. This research brings insights into the relevant competencies of the IT workforce and how to improve the IT curriculum to produce professionals who meet industry demands.