Paper short abstract:

Social anthropology graduates often practice in other fields, questioning its relevance and suitability for addressing societal problems. Restructuring teaching methods can motivate students, provide quality jobs, and address persistent community issues.

Paper long abstract:

This abstract explores the persistent challenge of aligning theoretical knowledge with practical applications in the field of social anthropology. Originating in the 1920s, social anthropology has been instrumental in imparting theoretical knowledge to students, yet there is a significant disparity between academic knowledge and practical application.

This presentation focuses on the issue of integrating social anthropology education into practical scenarios to bolster its applicability for students entering the job market. Two questions guide our inquiry: Firstly, we draw attention to how social anthropology can be restructured to attract students by establishing a direct link between academic pursuits and job opportunities. Secondly, we explore avenues for integrating social anthropology with ongoing societal interventions in areas such as livelihoods, education, health, and protection? Our aim is to discuss strategies that align academic knowledge with practical applications, equipping students with job creation and opportunity skills.