Exploring Work-integrated Learning: CETL Seminar Highlights Swedish Pedagogical Approaches

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) hosted an engaging seminar titled “Work-integrated learning (WIL) – A pedagogical tool applied in Swedish academia” on 31st July 2025 at ULAB. The session explored innovative teaching strategies grounded in the integration of theoretical learning with real-world experience, a concept widely embraced by Swedish universities.

The seminar was conducted by Dr. Sabrina Luthfa, currently an Assistant Professor at the University of West Sweden. Drawing from her extensive academic journey and over 26 years in Sweden, Dr. Luthfa shared how WIL has been successfully implemented in Swedish higher education and how she has adapted those methods in her classrooms.

WIL, as explained during the session, is built on the belief that knowledge is socially constructed through collaborative engagement and interaction. It emphasizes combining academic theory with practical experiences such as internships, placements, and cooperative programs. Despite the challenges of applying WIL in theoretical courses, Dr. Luthfa demonstrated through examples how thoughtful pedagogical design can overcome such barriers.