Factors Contributing to the Success of Cooperative Programs

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Factors Contributing to the Success of
Cooperative Programs

• Dr. Omar A. Al-Swailem
• Asst. Dean for Educational Affairs

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In This Presentation

• The Coop Program
• Coop Objectives and Outcomes
• Partners of Success
• Role of Employer, Academic Advisor, and Student
• Issues Related to success
• Grading and Evaluation
• Conclusion

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The Coop Program

• Training during the course of study is a
  significant academic feature at KFUPM.
• Required from students according to their
  academic majors.
• The 28-week cooperative program COOP is intended
  to develop the student attitudes and
  familiarization with real work situations.

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Academic Requirements

• Coop requirements
• At least 85 C.H. completed
• Major GPA at least 2.00
• Training before last semester
• Departmental Requirements
• No other courses may be taken simultaneously

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Objectives

• There are several objectives for Coop
• 1- Enabling the student to link the theory and
  practice.
• 2- Providing guidance for future career
  opportunities.
• 3- Adapting the student to the work environment
  after graduation.
• 4- Improving and developing the students work
  ethics, communication, management, and teamwork
  skills.
• 5- Establishing strong relationships between the
  university and industry.

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ARE WE
?
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Partners of

• The Student
• The Job Supervisor
• The Academic Advisor (Coordinator)

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STUDENTS OBLIGATION

• I must check after the end of this term, before
  leaving to my assigned job, that I am not among
  the discontinued students.
• I must receive all the official documents from
  the Coop Department before I report to my
  assigned job at the date indicated above.
• I must stay in my assigned job for a minimum of
  28 weeks unless I get the permission of both the
  employer and the University.

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STUDENTS OBLIGATION

• I must observe the laws and regulations of the
  training organization and I shall not leave my
  work place without the employers permission.
• I must send the contact guide to Coop Department
  at KFUPM not later than two weeks after the start
  of my training.
• It is my responsibility to make sure that the
  employer sends Evaluation Report (No. 1) to Coop
  Department before the end of the second month of
  training and similarly, Evaluation Report (No. 2)
  at the end of my training.

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STUDENTS OBLIGATION

• I must submit a draft copy of my Coop Report to
  my academic advisor early in the beginning of the
  semester following the training and a final copy
  before the deadline indicated by my academic
  advisor.
• I understand that any delay in submitting the
  final copy of my Coop Training Report will result
  in an F grade, which requires repetition of the
  whole Coop program.

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THE ROLE OF THE COOP ACADEMIC ADVISOR

• To help the student maximize the learning and
  growth that come from participation in work
  experiences beyond campus
• To orient students to the co-op program
• To guide the student through the process and
  structure of co-op
• To develop a one-to-one relationship with the
  student in order to give support and advice

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THE ROLE OF THE COOP ACADEMIC ADVISOR (cont.)

• To review the student's co-op plans prior to the
  co-op
• To help the student identify a set of educational
  objectives
• To aid the student in choosing co-ops which will
  meet those objectives
• To evaluate the learning of the student on co-op
• To develop work opportunities and maintain
  positive relations with employers

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Employers Role

•  Things the training company is
  expected to be consider
• 1-  Every student should be provided with a
  training plan reflecting his training assignment
  during the 28 weeks.
• 2- The students work should be related as
  closely as possible to his field of study and
  individual interest within the field.
• 3- The coop student should be assigned to a
  professional in his field who will be responsible
  for making the students training meaningful and
  effective.
•  

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Employers Role (cont.)

• 4- The coop student should be treated like any
  other employee. Punctuality, work habits, etc.,
  should be reflected in the evaluation reports.
• 5-  If the coop students performance does not
  meet the companys standard, the university
  should be notified immediately for corrective
  action.
• 6- Students should be encouraged and allowed to
  prepare technical reports and conduct oral
  presentations during the training period.
•  
•  

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Employers Role (cont.)

•  7- Progress reports prepared by the student
  should be signed by his training supervisor
  before submission to the coop Advisor at the
  University.
• 8-  Two evaluation reports should be completed
  and signed by the training supervisor and sent
  directly to the University.
•  
• 9- Visits by coop advisors from the University
  are highly encouraged.

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Issues Related to Coop Success

• Academic Eligibility
• Fulfilling the requirements
• Planning the degree

• Students Perception
• Coop is for the grade improvement !
• Coop is a way out to graduate
• Low achievers take Coop option

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Issues (cont.)

• Student Enrollment
• More Students
• Less Opportunities
• Quality is not guaranteed

• Low follow up from
• Academic Advisors
• Company Supervisor
• Combined with Students carelessness

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Issues (cont.)

• Orientation of Students
• Awareness of Faculty and Employers
• Need to be enhanced

• Site Visits
• Organized at least once during the training
• Appreciated by employers, students, and faculty
• Provided useful feedback

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Grading of Coop
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Grading of Coop (cont.)
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Elements of Evaluation by Academic Advisor?

• Seriousness and enthusiasm
• Continuous contact with advisor
• Fulfillment to the guidelines
• Fulfillment to the plan
• Company evaluation
• Progress reports
• Final report
• Presentation

• ABET Observations
• Design Component
• Cost
• Safety
• Reliability
• Team work
• Ethics

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Elements of Evaluation by Supervisor and Coworkers
Student is rated by Supervisor on a scale from 0
to 10 score for

• Enthusiasm and interest in work
• Attitude towards delivering accurate work
• Quality of work output
• Initiative in taking tasks to complete
• Dependability and reliablity
• Ability to learn and search for information
• Judgment and decision making
• Maintaining effective relations with
  co-workers
• Ability of reporting and presenting his work
• Attendance
• Punctuality

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Three partners are involved

• The Student
• The Job Supervisor
• The AcademicAdvisor (Coordinator)

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Discussion