Evaluating research mobility placements: a skills audit framework for enhancing employability and professional development in higher education

Abstract

Higher education students benefit from research mobility placements, which provide authentic research experiences, opportunities for inter-institutional collaboration, and valuable employability skills. Despite their increasing importance, structured approaches for assessing the impact of research placements on skill acquisition and career preparedness remain limited. This study presents the development and evaluation of a skills audit framework tailored to research mobility in life sciences, conducted at Taylor’s University, Malaysia. The program involved 22 undergraduate biosciences students from five international universities (Thailand, Philippines, China and the UK) over a 4-week placement. A mixed-methods design was adopted, incorporating pre-, mid- and post-placement self-assessments, online reflective logs and supervisor evaluations. Thirteen employability skills were assessed using a Likert scale, supported by qualitative reflections. Key skills included adaptability, communication, teamwork and professional conduct. Students reported substantial gains, particularly in interpersonal collaboration, self-reflection and adaptability. The Online Reflective Log was rated effective or very effective by 68% of students for tracking skill growth and enhancing self-awareness. Regional analysis showed UK students had stronger initial competencies, while Chinese students exhibited the most significant improvement. Supervisor assessments were generally more conservative than student self-ratings, especially in communication and networking, underscoring the need for structured mentorship and feedback mechanisms. Although overall feedback was positive, students noted areas for improvement, including task repetition, limited supervisor engagement and inconsistent placement structure. The skills audit framework demonstrated effectiveness in evaluating professional growth and offers a scalable model. Recommendations include standardizing assessment tools, enhancing supervision practices and integrating pre-placement training on cross-cultural communication.