The Dialogue with Students program by TGG Foundation is an ongoing initiative that brings together youths from across the world to explore the disconnect between formal education and real-life preparedness. It encourages students to self-enquire the quality of their education, urges educators to reflect on their teaching purpose, and motivates institutions and parents to support holistic development. The ultimate goal is to empower students to become self-reliant, responsible individuals by the age of 18 through awareness, dialogue, and collective action.
Valeria Massetani
Valeria, a member of TGG Family is a finance and accounting professional based in Luxembourg. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics and Management and has working experience across industries such as life sciences, financial services, and fintech. She’s interested in sustainability and enjoys working on international projects and building business opportunities across borders.
OF THE YOUTHS, BY THE YOUTHS & FOR THE YOUTHS
Improving the education system to enhance employability and entrepreneurship requires a systemic transformation that aligns academic learning with real-world demands. The present-day challenges of unemployment and underemployment stem largely from outdated curricula, theoretical teaching methods, and a lack of practical exposure. Therefore, a shift towards skill-based, experiential, and value-driven education is critical. This transformation is not the responsibility of a single entity but a shared mission that involves students, academicians, institutions, parents, society, industry, social organizations and the government.
Students play a central role in shaping their future and must become active participants in their learning journey. They need to move beyond rote memorization and embrace curiosity, innovation, and practical learning. By participating in workshops, volunteering, internships, and entrepreneurial activities, students can build essential life skills such as communication, problem-solving, leadership, inclusiveness and adaptability. They must be encouraged to take ownership of their learning, explore new ideas, collaborate with peers, and pursue projects that connect theory with practice. An important mission of the parents and the education system should be to make every student self-reliant by the age of 18—equipping them with the skills, mindset, social responsibility and confidence to become independent and self-reliant, manage personal responsibilities, and contribute productively to society. This includes not only academic learning but also exposure to financial literacy, digital tools, real-world problem-solving, and opportunities for hands-on work experience, ensuring that students are prepared to stand on their own feet early in life.
Academicians are the mentors and facilitators of learning. Their role goes beyond delivering content; they must inspire critical thinking, creativity, and a love for learning. Teachers should continuously update their knowledge to incorporate current trends and technologies into their teaching. By promoting research, interdisciplinary learning, and innovation, they can nurture an entrepreneurial mindset in students. Encouraging open discussions, inquiry-based learning, and collaborative projects will help students apply knowledge meaningfully.
Educational institutions must redesign their ecosystem to promote employability and entrepreneurship. This includes updating the curriculum to integrate 21st-century skills, building innovation labs, and forming partnerships with industries for internships, guest lectures, and collaborative projects. Institutions should establish startup incubation centers to support student ventures with mentorship and funding. Furthermore, the assessment system must be reformed to evaluate not just academic performance but practical skills, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.
Parents have a crucial influence on a child’s aspirations and confidence. They must support their children in exploring diverse career paths, including entrepreneurship, rather than pushing them toward conventional options. Parents should encourage independent thinking, resilience, and risk-taking. By showing interest in their child’s learning and development, attending school events, participating in career discussions, and volunteering for the community or social organizations, they can play a vital role in building a strong foundation for future success.
Society at large must also contribute by fostering an environment that values skills over degrees and celebrates entrepreneurship. Public attitudes toward vocational training, creative careers, and small businesses need to evolve. Community centers, libraries, maker spaces, and local initiatives should be designed as open learning spaces that support young learners. Societies that uphold innovation, experimentation, and collaboration enable youth to thrive and contribute meaningfully.
The industry serves as the bridge between education and employment. Businesses must actively collaborate with educational institutions to align the curriculum with evolving market needs. Offering internships, apprenticeships, real-world projects, and mentoring opportunities helps students gain practical exposure. Additionally, the industry should support entrepreneurial ventures through funding, incubation support, and expert guidance. A continuous feedback loop from industry to academia ensures that education stays relevant and dynamic.
Social organizations such as NGOs and NPOs play a crucial role in bridging gaps within the education system by ensuring access and inclusivity for marginalized communities, offering skill development and vocational training, promoting value-based and life skills education, supporting grassroots entrepreneurship, and facilitating community empowerment; they complement government and institutional efforts by running alternative learning programs, providing mentorship, enabling micro-enterprises, and advocating for policy reforms—thereby acting as catalysts for building a more equitable, employment-ready, and self-reliant society.
The Government plays a crucial role in building an education system that promotes both employability and entrepreneurship. It must act as a policy-maker, facilitator, and enabler by creating a supportive ecosystem. One of its key responsibilities is to provide educational loans at nominal interest rates to ensure that higher education is accessible to all, regardless of economic background. The government should also work to open up global employment opportunities by aligning skill development with international standards and fostering global partnerships. To reduce regional disparities, it must improve and standardize the quality of education across the country by investing in teacher training, infrastructure, and modern pedagogies. Establishing research labs and incubation centers in educational institutions is essential to nurture innovation and scientific inquiry from an early stage. Additionally, the government should support entrepreneurship by setting up a single-window system for startup approvals, easing compliance, and reducing bureaucratic hurdles. It must also create access to funding for startups and offer tax benefits for at least five years, enabling young entrepreneurs to take calculated risks and grow their ventures. Through such comprehensive policies, the government can ensure that the education system becomes a foundation for both sustainable livelihoods and economic growth.
In conclusion, creating a future-ready education system that fosters both employability and entrepreneurship requires a united effort. When students take initiative, educators inspire, institutions innovate, parents support, society encourages, government facilitates and industry collaborates, we build an ecosystem where learning leads to meaningful work and empowered lives. Only then can we nurture a generation of individuals who are not only capable of finding jobs but also of creating them.