Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Faculty Publications Book Chapter Faculty Publications- Book Chapter Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Elangovan, N.; Nair, Sridevi Title A name given to the resource From Advisory to Authentic Co-Creation: Rethinking Employer-University Partnerships for Future-Ready Graduates Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 01-01-2026 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Enhancing Graduate Employability in an Evolving Workforce;pp.295-320 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context <a href="https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-4450-8.ch013" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-4450-8.ch013</a> <br /><br /><a href="https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105032641360?origin=resultslist" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105032641360?origin=resultslist</a> Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Elangovan N., Christ University, India; Nair S., Christ University, India Description An account of the resource As the future of work becomes increasingly dynamic, higher education faces pressure better to align academic programs with the evolving demands of industry. Traditional employer engagement approaches, such as advisory boards or guest lectures, often remain surface-level, failing to bridge the persistent disconnect between academic curricula and workplace expectations. This chapter introduces the COACT Model as a transformative framework that redefines employeruniversity collaboration through authentic co-creation. Grounded in stakeholder theory, participatory curriculum design, and experiential learning, COACT comprises five iterative phases: Collaborate, Orchestrate, Apply, Co-Evaluate, and Transform. Each phase outlines actionable strategies for embedding employers into curriculum development, delivery, and evaluation at the program level. The model emphasizes mutual accountability, shared pedagogical ownership, and contextual adaptability, enabling institutions to reform curricula without overburdening faculty or marginalizing employer contributions incrementally. By positioning employers as co-educators and co-evaluators, COACT facilitates meaningful integration of real-world insights into academic learning, thus enhancing graduate employability, confidence, and readiness. The chapter also provides practical guidelines, implementation structures, and evaluative feedback loops that support continuous improvement and institutional learning. Ultimately, the COACT Model reframes curriculum not as a fixed academic product, but as a dynamic, co-authored space where diverse knowledge sources converge. In doing so, it offers a scalable pathway for universities to develop future-ready graduates through enduring, responsive, and equitable partnerships with industry. 2026 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available IGI Global Relation A related resource ISBN: 979-833734452-2; 979-833734450-8; Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Book chapter Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource online