Enhancing educational outcomes with Outcome-Based Education: a study of employability and industry readiness in Chinese multimedia technology students

Facing a mismatch between graduate skills and market needs in China's multimedia sector, this study evaluates Outcome-Based Education (OBE) as a strategic reform to bridge this gap. Through an empirical analysis of 3227 students, 40 instructors, and 3051 firms, we demonstrate that OBE significantly enhances students' industry-aligned competencies, employability, and teacher effectiveness compared to traditional methods. The findings advocate for a systemic curricular shift towards market-driven, competency-based models. We urge policymakers and institutions to promote OBE through supportive accreditation standards and funding for industry-education partnerships. For enterprises, actively co-designing curricula and flexible assessments under the OBE framework is critical for cultivating a readily employable talent pool, transforming higher education into a robust pipeline for workforce development.