EMPOWERING FUTURES: APPLYING THE CAPABILITY APPROACH TO TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION

ABSTRACT In an era of rapid socio-economic and technological change, higher education must go beyond conventional knowledge transfer to foster holistic student development. This study explores the application of the Capability Approach—pioneered by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum—to training and development in higher education, emphasizing the enhancement of students' well-being and career freedom. By focusing on individual capabilities—the real freedoms students have to achieve valued outcomes—this approach offers a personcentered framework that aligns educational practices with students' aspirations, contexts, and diverse needs. Drawing from interdisciplinary literature, the research investigates how capability-enhancing strategies in curriculum design, pedagogy, and institutional support can contribute to more equitable and meaningful educational outcomes. The study also examines the implications for policy, teaching practices, and student support services in promoting agency, empowerment, and long-term employability. Ultimately, this research aims to reimagine training and development in higher education as a transformative process that equips students not only with skills, but with the freedom to lead lives they have reason to value