The 10 Most Recognized STEM Universities to Watch in 2022 by theeducationmagazine

Education as a whole around the globe has witnessed radical changes over the past few years. If you observe how education is pursued today vs. how it was looked up to several years ago, you will ﬁnd stark differences. The dynamic business environment, changing job requirements, as well as increased focus on a research-oriented approach is driving the transformation of education around the globe.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education programs have predominantly risen up the ranks as the most sought-after by today’s students.

The increased emphasis on industrialization, the arrival of new technologies day-in-and-day-out, and surging demand for skilled workforce across different industries are some prominent factors fueling the growth of STEM graduates worldwide. Catering to this demand, numerous dedicated STEM institutes are emerging while several existing institutes have started focusing more on these programs. With the increasing number of options available, it might be tricky for you to choose the perfect one.

In our latest magazine issue “The 10 Best Recognized STEM Universities to Watch in 2022,” we have featured

People Behind This Issue

Publisher: Archana Ghule

Editor–in–Chief: Vikram Suryawanshi

Managing Editor: Utkarsh Deshpande

Project Editors: Sarang Mahajan

Prajakta Zurale

Creative Head:

Poonam Mahajan

Graphic Designer: Kiran kamble

Marketing Head:

Research Team: Robert Smith Daisy, Rahul, Maranda, Rocky

From The Editor’s Desk

the competitive business world. We have penned down compelling stories of all these institutes that will introduce you to their history, mission, and vision. We have also provided insights about their programs, extracurricular activities, and career opportunities they provide. With their out-of-the-box approach, all these institutes have earned a reputation in the industry.

On the cover of the magazine, we have featured Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

Based in Pennsylvania, it is committed to producing topquality people to take on the future of the industries and meet the demand for more educational opportunities in applied science and technology. Elsewhere in the magazine, you will ﬁnd institutes like European

University, PSB Academy, Broward College, and Riga State Technical School . Also, don’t miss out on reading the informative article, “ STEM: A More Practical Approach towards Education ” for acute insights about how the focus on STEM has changed education.

Have an insightful read!

Utkarsh Deshpande Managing Editor

Sales & Marketing

Project Head: Aakash Mahajan

Sales Co-ordinators: Isac Lukose

Jay Patel

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CONTENTS CONTENTS 10 HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY

Boston University www.bu.edu

Broward College www.broward.edu

Riga State Technical School www.rvt.lv PSB Academy www.psb-academy.edu.sg

European University www.eu.edu.ge/ge

Georgia Institute of Technology www.gatech.edu

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology www.harrisburgu.edu

Seoul National University www.snu.ac.kr/index.html

University of Bristol www.bristol.ac.uk

University of Southern California www.usc.edu

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

Producing Industry Ready Talent to Ensure a Bright Future

“The goal of STEM education at Harrisburg University is to extend student’s knowledge, broaden their minds, explore the unknown, foster their ideas, and develop leaders.”

Currently, there are more STEM job vacancies than qualified candidates. Men and women in STEM industries often have lower unemployment rates and higher compensation than professionals in other areas, since qualified STEM applicants are in high demand. People with curious minds are ideally suited for employment in STEM. These graduates work as advanced manufacturing executives, environmental scientists, forensic detectives, chemists, engineers, and software developers, to mention a few. Harrisburg University (HU) of science and Technology is working hard to produce topquality people to take on the future of the industries and meet the demand for more educational opportunities in applied science and technology-related fields in Pennsylvania’s capital region.

Journey to Excellence

The Harrisburg University of Science and Technology was founded in 2001 and is the first nonprofit private university to be established in Pennsylvania in more than 100 years. The university provides STEM — Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math — degree programs for undergraduates and graduates. HU students are more likely to find familysustaining professions in their disciplines or get admitted graduating school within six months of graduation because its educational programs are developed in

response to market demands.

The University enrolls roughly 7,000 undergraduates and graduates between its campus in Harrisburg, its Philadelphia location, its recently opened facility in Panama, and, via online degree-seeking students. Furthermore, in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, Corporate LiveWire ranked the University as the top STEM institution in the U.S.

Exclusive Courses and Programs

For a variety of learners, HU offers academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels and certiﬁcate programs using student-centered, technologically advanced, and experiential learning designs. This helps emphasize student success while placing a strong emphasis on particular interdisciplinary competencies and strong links to career development.

Advanced manufacturing, applied mathematics, biotechnology, computer and information sciences, cyber security operations and management, and many more are among the undergraduate courses provided by the university. In addition, the university offers graduate courses in analytics, biotechnology, computer information sciences, consumer behavior and decision sciences, healthcare informatics, and

other ﬁelds. The expansion of its educational offerings, which are practical and address the constantly changing needs of industry, is a constant at HU.

HU offers undergraduate Bachelor of Science degrees in:

• Advanced Manufacturing

• Applied Mathematics

• Biotechnology

• Computer and Information Sciences

• Cybersecurity Operations and Management (Online)Environmental Science and Sustainability

• Esports Management, Production, and Performance

• Forensic Science

• Geospatial Technology

• Information Systems and Information Technology (Online)

• Integrative SciencesInteractive Medi

• Management, Entrepreneurship, and Business Administration

• Nursing RN to BSN (Online)

The university also offers Master of Science Degree Programs in:

• Analytics

• Biotechnology

• Computer Information Sciences

• Consumer Behavior and Decision Sciences

• Cybersecurity Operations and Control Management

• Healthcare Informatics

• Human-Centered Interaction Design

• Information Systems Engineering and Management

• Learning Technologies and Media Systems

• Nursing (Online)

• Pharmaceutical Sciences

• Population Health Management (Certiﬁcate)

• Project Management

• Technpreneurship.

“Harrisburg University is an entrepreneurial school with an environment that fosters learning outside of the classroom.”

The university also offers Ph.D. programs in Computational Sciences, Data Sciences, and Information Systems Engineering & Management and also offers certiﬁcate and training programs.

Individual Attention

The 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio at HU guarantees each student receives the individualized attention they require. The University’s distinctive STEM-based curriculum creates a learning environment unlike any other private university. Students enrolled at the University are mentored by a group of experienced academics who are acknowledged leaders in their professions.

Students can turn their academic training into jobs that change the world with the right supervision. Those who enroll at HU become members of a multicultural, energetic community where the city and schoolwork together to achieve greatness. The goal of STEM education at Harrisburg University is to extend students’ knowledge, broaden their minds, explore the unknown, foster their

ideas, and develop leaders. Students from all over the world enroll there to pursue this goal.

Making the Most of Advanced Technology

In downtown Harrisburg, HU has a 16-story academic building that is equipped with the most innovative tools available today and in the future. These tools include 3D printers, virtual reality systems, advanced manufacturing tools, supercomputers, and more.

Additionally, HU’s campus offers innovative amenities and technology not typically found on college campuses, such as smart boards, a forensics lab, a geospatial technology center, an aquaponics lab, a plethora of research institutes, and more. In addition, a second $100 million educational center is being built nearby that is close to the leading employers in the area.

Students are also involved in advanced research at HU’s research centers and institutes, which address a wide range of interests, problems, and industries while utilizing the

most innovative technologies available today and in the future. These institutions act as a link to businesses and organizations, give students hands-on learning experiences, and promote economic growth.

Diversity and Beneﬁts for International students

Presently, HU is home to students from over 110 different nations. The University’s whole faculty and staff participate

and work to advance inclusion and diversity on campus. Every faculty member supports and gives the greatest education and effort for a successful future to every international student that enrolls. The institution also guarantees all aspiring international students an affordable education, practical experience, knowledgeable staff, unparalleled campus facilities and technology, and a warm learning environment.

“We encourage students to take part in organizations, clubs, interest groups, and more to develop skills that will be useful in the future.”

Besides all of this, foreign students have access to the best STEM education available in the United States. The institution offers students the chance to learn from the top researchers in the STEM ﬁelds with the support of a multicultural student population and staff in the classroom and on campus. To educate students for employment in science and technology, it also offers an educational exchange program. Under their language proﬁciency, educational background, schedule, and interests, HU advisors choose the courses that visiting, and online international students take. The staff further helps to visit foreign students by locating housing in adjacent off-campus venues.

Industry Ready Approach

Science and Technology Programs at HU are developed in response to actual market demands in the domains of science, technology, engineering, and math. This explains why students, within six months of graduating, ﬁnd careers in their industries that can support a family or are accepted into graduate programs. The University excels because of its pertinent programs taught by the top authorities in their ﬁelds. Additionally, it has a low student-to-professor ratio, meaning the students receive the individualized attention they need to understand their subjects. Every student is required to complete at least one internship, providing them with the practical experience hiring managers’ desire.

Extra-Curricular Activities

HU is a STEM school with a culture that encourages studying outside of the traditional classroom setting. It encourages students to take part in organizations, clubs, interest groups, and more to develop skills that will be useful in the future. Students may start a new club on campus according to their interests. And the HU Storm, the varsity Esports squad, is a leader in collegiate Esports.

President’s Perspective

Dr. Eric Darr ( President of HU ) notes that STEM areas house today and tomorrow’s most sought-after, high-paying employment when asked about the salient reasons a student should pursue a career in STEM. He believes the STEM ﬁelds present a broad, varied, and fascinating range of prospects. Any STEM major offers a wide range of specialty options. A Harrisburg University student who earns a solid undergraduate STEM degree will not only be well prepared for the job market, but will also have the knowledge and abilities to advance their ﬁeld of study for a very long time. The initial pay for STEM occupations is among the highest for recent grads. Recent studies show that the average income of non-STEM graduates is 47 percent lower than that of these graduates.

High-Quality STEM Education with Innovation and Excellence

The economic success of a state is directly determined by the quality of its educational policies. Hence, ensuring quality education is very essential, especially during the pursuit of higher studies. It is about making sure that appropriate and effective teaching, support, assessment, and learning opportunities are provided for them. “ Transforming students' lives and enriching our diverse community through academic excellence, innovation, and meaningful career opportunities, ” highlights the mission of Broward College , which is committed to providing the highest quality education in affordable and accessible approaches.

Established in 1960, Broward College is one of Florida's largest public colleges. Originally named the Junior College of Broward County, Broward College was created as a part of a network of the country's two-year colleges. It was further renamed Broward Community College afterward. In 2008, the college was ﬁnally named 'Broward College'—when it was granted the approval to offer four-year bachelor's degrees. The college is spread across three campuses and various centers throughout Broward County. Currently, it is home to over 60,000 students on an annual basis with a huge faculty and staff composed of more than 2000. In 2021, University HQ ranked Broward College the most affordable college in Florida from more than 100 higher education.

Abundant Academic Opportunities

Broward College is committed to fostering a learning-centered community which celebrates diversity and inclusion by empowering and engaging students, faculty, and staff. Be it a traditional or a non-traditional student, a ﬁrst-generation college student, or a student from a low-income community, the college couples its commitment with immense support to guide students towards success.

Broward College offers several academic services to its students through the following initiatives:

Academic Success Center (ASC) – Provides a variety of quality support services in a comfortable, collaborative atmosphere. Services provided by the ASC include certiﬁed tutors and online tutoring services, collaborative project space, laptop loans, and open computer centers with printing and scanning access.

Accessibility Resources - Ensures seamless access to all Broward College programs, activities, and services and promotes college-wide access that leads to an inclusive and equitable opportunity for students with disabilities.

Career Center and the Career Services Team - Helps with choosing a major, exploring career pathways, advice on resumes, job searches, internships, practice interviews, and other career-related activities.

Seahawk Outreach Services (SOS) - Provides wrap-around services and holistic support to students by connecting them to key campus resources and referring them to community organizations. Its goal is to help reduce food and housing insecurities, stress/mental health challenges, homelessness, and ﬁnancial obstacles among the student population.

Enriched College Experience

Every higher education institution must strive to produce graduates by offering opportunities for personal development and civic engagement—transitioning students into responsible and active citizens. Broward College offers an encompassing teaching experience which goes beyond what is taught in classrooms.

Broward College constitutes a rich student life network offering abundant opportunities such as community outreach initiatives, and fun activities. The college also provides students the option to participate in events it hosts such as the annual Hackathon, most of which were available even during the pandemic.

During the pandemic, the college adopted a remote learning environment by hosting events via zoom and other streaming and interactive platforms. Broward College highly believes that college is a time to broaden horizons and build real-life experiences, and offers a plethora of activities for the students. These are namely—student government, clubs, volunteering and philanthropy, cultural presentations, civic dialog, and study abroad programs.

Supervised by Idealistic Mindset

At the core of Broward College, Dr. Nichole Vaughan ( Dean of Science and Wellness ) works collaboratively with the faculty to develop high-quality academic programs. Being a senior-level administrator, she beholds experience in areas of curriculum development, assessing institutional effectiveness, managing department resources including budgets, facilities and physical assets, faculty

development, and performance reviews.

People at the college work together to accomplish its goals and missions. Dr. Vaughan supervises the associate deans for the department, and also works in collaboration with other deans and district directors at the college as well as institution leadership to maximize opportunities for ensuring student success.

' STEM Education' for Academic Beneﬁts

As a critical aspect to the nation's ongoing economic success, Broward College emphasizes STEM Education in its curriculum as it drives innovation and the generation of new ideas. STEM education involves a seamless integration of four cornerstones—computer technology; mathematical science; engineering; and natural, physical, and life science. Although employment in STEM education has grown over the years, a shortage of STEM professionals graduating from programs continues to exist.

To promote and strengthen STEM education, the Department of Education, in general, has invested more than $500 million. The investment aims to provide avenues for curriculum development and access to materials, to recruit and train innovative STEM educators, as well as investment in attracting more diverse representation. To thrive in the global competition, the STEM investment must bear varied and diverse results in the STEM curriculum in elementary schools. This should further incorporate hands-on learning and real-world applications in order to promote STEM education to children at an early age.

Leveraging Potentials of STEM

Leveraging the potentials and possibilities of STEM Education, Broward College offers more than 33 programs inculcating STEM. These include eight programs at the associate degree level and four at the baccalaureate degree level along with varied technical certiﬁcates. These are namely—Spatial Computing, Information Technology, Cloud and Virtualization Analyst, Cybersecurity Analyst, Information Technology Management, Web Development, and many more.

Broward College looks for two important areas prior to enrolling students for STEM education. These are—interest in discovery, and the ability to engage in an

Students are at the heart of everything we do. Always have been. Always will be. “

inquiry to ﬁnd its solutions. To do this, students need to be problem solvers and possess strong analytical and criticalthinking skills. STEM students also need to be able to communicate well and work collaboratively with others toward a common goal. Additional skills such as being adaptable, creative, and persistent are also important.

Escorting through Vast Opportunities

With an abundance in the availability of engineering colleges around the world, students should emphasize three important areas before opting for a college to pursue higher studies. The ﬁrst one is the available academic majors. Students should enquire whether the concerned college is offering their preferred major and a strong network for placement in internships or career counseling.

Secondly, students should seek for affordability and availability of scholarships at their desired institution. They should keep looking out for the availability of work-study or jobs on campus in accordance with their ﬁnancial situation. The third important aspect is the diversity of the campus. Students should keep in mind whether the campus feels inclusive and provides important services to them while deciding whether they feel represented or not.

Adapting to Changing Educational Spheres

Dr. Vaughan states that she expects a renewed push to return to normalcy for the 2021-22 academic year and on-campus learning. She adds that students will have to adapt to the new normal of learning in new ways, by merging lessons learned from remote learning with on-campus experience. “ Faculty and students will need to be creative in how they can safely interact with each other, which may lead to novel methods of engagement .” Says Dr. Vuaghan.

In the modern world, everything is

scrutinized according to standardized parameters, ‘quality’ stands as one of the vital factors of the educational sector. Quality of education determines the stature of an education institute. Moreover, quality assurance is beneﬁcial for the academic and personal development of students. Quality education enables students to develop their attributes and skills for achieving potentiality as members of society. It is, therefore, essential to opt for educational institutions that offer quality education imbibed within an updated curriculum and distinct study programs.

EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY

Offering Quality Higher Education with Expansive Academic Opportunities

Established in 2013, European University is a development-oriented higher education institution. The university is well incorporated with quality assurance parameters to ensure the quality of higher education to the students. It implies various strategies and employs several approaches to provide a quality-oriented educational experience to its students. European University is located in the capital of Georgia—Tbilisi. It owns two study buildings and a modern dormitory that accommodates up to 500 students. Currently, the university hosts around 9000 international students—most of which pursue medical programs.

Vitalizing Academic Mission

Based on European values, European university is focused on sustainable development. It offers student-centered and quality higher education. The university’s prime mission is training competitive personnel for the local and international employment market, and developing scientiﬁc or research and creative activities.

The university encourages active participation and contribution to the formation of the knowledge society and knowledge-based economy in Georgia. It promotes self-realization

EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY

with Opportunities

and creative activities of local and international students and academic staff by developing critical thinking, innovative and academic skills.

European University strives to ensure the collective academic freedom of students and academic staff. Within the framework of social responsibility, it encourages caring for the development of the community, providing lifelong education, promoting tolerance, mutual respect, and intercultural dialogue.

Harboring Educational Values

“We work for the best interests of our students according to the criteria of honesty, transparency, and fairness. The partnership is based on mutual understanding of the shared values and interests.”

European University is a constantly updated education institution that seeks to establish itself in the international education market. It harbors the following educational values:

• Quality OrientationEnsuring high quality in teaching/learning, scientiﬁc and university management activities, as well as in the provision of university services;

• Orientation to Continuous Development - Aims to contribute to the professional and personal development of the university community. Optimal decisions are made from existing alternatives;

• Higher Academic CultureWelcomes and promotes in the principles of academic ethics, mutual respect, support, and collegial

relationships in the university environment; and

• Academic Freedom - The right of academic staff, faculty, and students to conduct teaching, research, and study independently.

European University focuses on promoting intercultural dialogue. It develops an educational space in which every member of the university community feels a full representative of society—irrespective of race, community, ethnicity, and other societal parameters. The university also addresses the needs of different groups of society, with the active involvement of students and staff. It contributes to the development of the country, solving social, economic, and environmental problems.

Extensive Academic Programs

European University institutes Georgian and English language as a

mode of teaching and in its educational programs implemented within the faculties. The university has four faculties:

•Faculty of Business and Technology;

•Faculty of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences;

•Faculty of Medicine;

•Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

The university provides four scientiﬁc research institutes. These are namely, the Scientiﬁc Research Institute of Law; Research Institute for Economic and Social Problems of Globalization; Research Institute of Medicine, and Academician Andria Apakidze Institute of Archeology. International peerreviewed journals are also published within the institutes. Additionally, a historical-archeological museum has been established within the framework of expeditions that are actively carried out in the university.

Accredited Student Exchange Programs

Focused on European values, European University has close cooperation with about 40 foreign universities. Under its international partnership, the university offers students the opportunity to leverage exchange programs and continue pursuing their education at the university of their choice.

For international students, European University offers English language programs in medicine and dental medicine. These programs are accredited by the Georgian National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement which has recently acquired accreditation from the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME). The beneﬁts are manifold such as international recognition of Georgian medical programs and diplomas in the USA, Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking countries.

Benefactory Additionalities

European University has been the winner of Erasmus + Jean Monnet activities twice and has successfully implemented EU-funded projects. The university is distinguished by active student life and sports teams with ensembles created at the initiative of students.

To cater to the career requirements and industrial demands of the students, it has established the European University Student and Alumni Service Center with the support of partner organizations. The center provides employment and internship opportunities for the students as well as the alumnus.

Distinct Quality Assurance

European University offers a distinct quality of higher education. At the university, the main values and approaches to quality assurance activities include transparency, publicity, objectivity, reliability, continuity, and validity.

The quality assurance system operates on the principle of planning, implementing, evaluating, and developing. European University ensures adherence to these principles through the quality assurance mechanisms developed at the university. The quality assurance mechanisms involve the continuous evaluation and development of the university’s activities and resources to maintain and improve quality.

To achieve its goals, the Quality Assurance Service cooperates with all structural units and ofﬁcials of the university along with the academic and visiting staff, students, employers, and other stakeholders.

Transparency and Collective Development

European University is open for cooperation with all stakeholders and develops mutually beneﬁcial connections, both in Georgia and abroad. Any decision made at European University is based on the rights and views of all stakeholders and fair arguments and objective decisionmaking criteria. Concerning all the processes taking place at the university, it uses open and public approaches that are reﬂected in the relevant rules, procedures, and decisions.

Moreover, European University prioritizes that all stakeholders are focused on achieving a common goal while equally sharing the main goals, visions, and values of the university as a higher education institution. It encourages the involvement of the staff, students, employers, and other stakeholders in all processes taking place in the educational space—following its competence, interest and rights, and responsibilities.

Envisioning Open Academic Space

In the upcoming years, European University envisions to be an open academic space. It aims to develop modern, well-equipped, comfortable, and adapted educational, scientific, and work infrastructure. The university also strives to maintain financial stability while attracting and effectively retaining highly qualified human resources. It further aims to promote their professional development and self-realization.

European University has and successfully implemented an effective selection of the student contingent. It attracts students mainly through targeted projects and direct communication, continuous work on developing its brand and reputation, and long-term cooperation with reliable partners in both local and international markets.

The educational system is one of the most talkedabout topics nowadays. It is considered as a backbone to a society’s growth both financially and intellectually. Traditionally, the education system was very much efficient and hardly had any flaws in it. With numerous changes happening around the world, the need to bring about a change in education is also mandatory. Identifying the need, the concept of STEM education came across in the early 2000s in the United States and has been a sensation since then. There are many graduates in the technical field, but they do not seem to have the required technical knowledge essential for working in a technical field. This term primarily addresses the required educational policies and increasing competitiveness in schools in the fields of science and technology. There are three branches of science and this term deals with two of them, first is the natural science and the other is formal science. The aim of STEM is the inculcation of interest among students about the fast-growing science and technology . STEM education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy and develops a new generation of innovators.

Identifying the Need for STEM

By identifying the need of the system, the concept is designed. It makes students familiar with four specific fields namely Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It helps to increase the students’ interests in these fields and also helps to enhance their knowledge

about the topics, introduce them with new concepts related to science, technology, and the other two fields. There is another variation in STEM which is STEAM, in which A stands for arts and design. This is also the same but it just adds another field. The motto behind this is finding realworld problems and solving them with practical solutions. Inculcating creativity among the students is an important thing according to this concept.

Revolutionizing the Education System

The education system is taking giant strides as far as the advancements and the changes are concerned. The traditional education system teaches these subjects like science, mathematics, but their practical applications are not taught the way they should be. According to research, only 36% of all high school students were ready to take a college-level science course. STEM is a revolutionary concept in the whole education system. It is developing an interest in students about the technical ﬁeld from a fairly

young age. It is thus a revolution as far as future

technical education is concerned. With the quality of education decreasing day by day and the increasing demand for skilled personnel around the global world, technical knowledge becomes an important aspect of a student’s life, especially at an early age. Unfortunately, the industries are lacking highly skilled people and that’s why it gains even more importance. In overall growth and change in the education system, it is expected to play a big role in the future. The basic concepts regarding education are also expected to change by virtue of this concept. Thus it promises to be a revolution in the education system beneﬁting various universities around the world. By getting students who are already well equipped with good technical knowledge, the universities are giving good results, which are brightening the names of universities in the ﬁeld. Between 2017 and 2027, STEM jobs are expected to grow by 13%. This shows the increased employment opportunities because of this concept. Also, out of 100

occupations, 93 of the STEM jobs had a salary more than the average national salary showing that ﬁnancially also, STEM has changed the education system in a good way.

Building Conﬁdence and Resilience

There are many benefits of STEM. It primarily deals with educating students from a very young age. Creativity is the mother of inventions and it is at its peak when a child is at a young age, which gradually decreases as they grow up. STEM catches that creativity and gives it a direction. There is also a huge amount of energy present in a kid. It gives direction to that energy as well. As it is an activity-based learning program, it allows students to experiment with new things, takes out the fear of failure from their minds and builds an ample amount of confidence and resilience among them. Confidence building is one of the main advantages of this whole concept. It also encourages them to take new risks and develop a ‘let’s try attitude. ‘Indeed making students much more confident and able to take risks. It also inculcates their habits to work as a team. Teamwork is another important aspect of this concept. It teaches students to work as a team, also teaches them to be a good team member and a good team leader too!

Enriching the Students Technically

Enrichment of students perhaps is the most important feature and advantage of STEM education. Students

globally are not much aware of technical education and the amount of technical knowledge they need to possess in order to be successful in the ﬁeld. STEM education guides students towards new inventions and technology which enriches them technically. In the tech-savvy world, STEM education gives the students an upper hand. It also change the thinking process of the student allowing them to think from a technical perspective with every new concept they learn. STEM inculcates good technical habits in them thus resulting in increasing their knowledge and enriching them technically. Also, stats indicate that STEM occupations grew by 17.0 percent in 2008 to 2018 compared to 9.8 percent growth of non-STEM occupations

STEM Education: A Case Study

Journals representing STEM education have been published by many countries. The journal requires a detailed case study about all the important aspects of

STEM. The research goes across various areas such as finance, cost, management, safety, etc. There are various general journals as well as international journals. STEM is a vast topic and also a topic with ample scope for research. Number of journals published on it shows the depth of the subject. Various case studies search for different things and often finish with different conclusions. It gets the users familiar with scientific and reliable research.

It concludes that education is one of the most important aspects of human life. And the quality of education, especially technical education which is sinking on a daily basis needs to be uplifted again. STEM seems to be a very important concept in not only visualizing the change but to make it happen and look much more realistic. Technical education is facing a downfall and eventually, STEM education seems to be its ﬁrm support in the future.

PSB ACADEMY

PROVIDING STEM EDUCATION WITH QUALITY ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics ( STEM) programs help develop strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills in students. It also challenges students to assess, interpret and apply relevant information for identifying and implementing innovative solutions.

PSB Academy , a private education institution in Singapore, offers STEM education to equip students with such skills. As a trusted education provider, PSB Academy is committed to providing accessible quality education to nurture and shape individuals and enable them to achieve their personal and professional goals.

‘The Future Academy’

PSB Academy’s beginnings date back to 1964. A small Productivity Unit was set up in Singapore which later developed as the National Productivity Centre under the purview of the Economic Development Board. In 1972, the National Productivity Board (NPB) was established, at a time when productivity was key to Singapore's growth. NPB's mandate was enhanced in 1986 to implement a total approach to productivity and in 1987, it moved into a new purpose-built NPB Building. With the expansion of responsibilities and enhanced facilities, the Management Services Supervisory Development Division was formalized to become a full-ﬂedged institution known as the Institute for Productivity Training (IPT) in 1988.

In 1996, the NPB and Singapore Institute of Standards and Industrial Research (SISIR) merged to form the Singapore Productivity and Standards Board (PSB). The IPT changed its name to the PSB Institute of Productivity Training (PSB-IPT), which went on to play a critical role in building a world-class workforce in Singapore. In 2001, PSB was

NOTE TO STUDENTS

“A STEM education trains students to think critically and to take a logical and analytical approach to identify and solve problems. These skills are crucial when they start working and especially when they progress into more managerial roles.”

corporatized, and IPT-PSB was renamed to PSB Academy. The Academy was then privatized in 2006. Till date, PSB Academy has produced over 200,000 learners.

PSB Academy is presently known as “The Future Academy”—with an approach to education focusing on performance in the New Economy. The Academy was conferred with the National Business Award in Education by the Singapore Business Review for the third time in 2021. It has also been honored with the title of “Best Educational Institute – Singapore” by APAC Insider in 2019. Currently, it hosts over 12,000 students of diverse nationalities.

Constructive Academic Programs

PSB Academy offers over 80 courses including diploma, bachelor's degree, master’s degree, and doctorate programs across 16 disciplines.

PSB Academy’s STEM degrees are offered by renowned overseas universities. These include Australia’s La Trobe University, Edith Cowan University, and The University of Newcastle, Australia, as well as the UK’s Coventry University and Edinburgh Napier University. Students are able to delve into the fundamentals of ﬁve speciﬁc disciplines— Life Sciences, Sports Science, Engineering, Cybersecurity, and IT & Computer Science.

PSB Academy’s STEM courses cater to a variety of academic levels. For students who are interested in engineering, PSB Academy offers a Foundation Certiﬁcate until postgraduate level. However, those who are keen to pursue life sciences and sports science can get started with a foundation diploma and certiﬁcate respectively.

Guided by Experienced Leaders

At the heart of PSB Academy’s STEM Education, Dr. Charles Ong ( Head of School of Life and Physical Sciences ) and Dr. Balamurugan Karuppiah ( Head of

School of Engineering and Technology ) ensure that the Academy strives and continues providing quality education and delivering excellence.

Dr. Charles spent twenty years as an educator at Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology. Later, he took on the role of deputy director, overseeing all academic matters including staff and student development. Being at the helm of PSB Academy’s School of Life and Physical Sciences, Dr. Charles provides academic leadership to his team to ensure that students receive high-quality learning experiences. He strongly believes in the holistic development of the students and the importance of industry engagement during their academic journey.

Dr. Balamurugan has approximately 27 years of experience in the academic world, out of which 17 years were spent in Singapore teaching and managing in private education institutes and researching as a postdoctoral fellow at National University of Singapore. Leading the School of Engineering and Technology, he ensures quality teaching, up-to-date curriculum and programs, and a holistic learning experience for the students.

Incorporating STEM Education

Remarking on the importance of STEM, Dr. Charles quotes, “STEM subjects are disciplines that can bring about huge impact and lasting improvement to humankind.” Similarly, Dr. Balamurugan Karuppiah agrees that there are plenty of career options for graduates of STEM courses. He adds, “These can range from newer technology fields such as cybersecurity and data science to more traditional fields of manufacturing and banking and finance .”

PSB Academy works closely with its overseas university partners to ensure that it provides industry-relevant knowledge and skills. Dedicated to prioritizing STEM education, PSB Academy established a STEM Campus in 2018 so as to provide a dedicated, practical space for students to learn and study. The campus is equipped with various learning facilities.

These include facilities for theory-based learning (classrooms and lecture theatre) and labs for hands-on learning (engineering labs, computer labs, sports science lab with 3D sports motion analysis, chemistry, and life science labs).

Engaging Student Experience

PSB Academy has a Student Affairs and Industry

Engagement department that focuses on programs aimed at the holistic development of its students. It promotes a vibrant culture and bonding among students through leadership development via Student Clubs and other student activities. The Academy also provides learning support and pastoral care to students through mental health resources and personal counseling.

Through a dedicated Career Services and Engagement team, PSB Academy prepares its students for the working world through various career development opportunities. These include a suite of career workshops, recruitment, and networking events as well as industry engagement opportunities.

Vibrant Campus Life

PSB Academy offers a series of activities and events planned by its student leaders throughout the year. It constitutes 13 student clubs/chapters as well as community interest groups which allow students to expand their community of friends while building their leadership skills.

Additionally, students can also receive several student support services. These include buddy programs, career mentoring, and hostel accommodations to ensure that their needs are well attended to during their academic journey with PSB Academy.

Adapting to Changes

When Singapore went into a circuit breaker last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, PSB Academy ensured a smooth transition to online learning. Students were able to continue their studies via an online learning management system and access pre-recorded lessons at their convenience. It also allowed them to put forth their queries related to the lectures through email. PSB Academy also provided support for the academic staff to enable them to deliver online lessons.

Prepared for the Future

PSB Academy continues to adapt its learning deliveries based on Singapore’s safety guidelines. The Academy has allowed students back on campus for face-to-face learning, while adhering to safe management measures such as frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces, daily disinfection of premises and safe distancing on campus. These measures are in place to ensure learning can still continue while keeping students and staff safe.

Pioneering STEM Implementation in Vocational Secondary Education

In recent years—like numerous countries across the globe—the emphasis on STEM education has increased signiﬁcantly in Latvia. Based in Riga, Latvia, Riga State Technical School is one of the leaders in STEM implementation in the ﬁeld of vocational secondary education. It is the most versatile vocational education competence center in Latvia. Presently, the school offers 39 accredited vocational education programs in 14 different vocational secondary education program groups—as well as professional development and further education programs to more than 2000 students.

Navigating through the Odds

At a meeting on 29 December 1919, the Cabinet Ministers of Latvia decided to open a technical secondary school as a state educational institution. By 1940, 1505 students graduated from the technical school and many of them pursued successful careers. However, the operations of the school were interrupted during the Soviet occupation.

In 1940, the administration and some training programs in the technical school were replaced. The German occupation period from 1941 to 1944 was also difﬁcult for the school. However, the training continued despite the wartime challenges. After the war in

1945, the technical school was named “Riga Industrial Polytechnical School”. Later, it was renamed “Riga State Technical School” in August 1991.

Since the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Latvia in 1990, Riga State Technical School has grown signiﬁcantly. Adapting to the requirements of an open economy, it changed the training programs in terms of content. The school also made signiﬁcant investments in practical training equipment and environmental arrangements. In 2016, a new Innovation and Technology Center was established at Riga State Technical School. This year, the Center has planned to complete the third round of the European Regional Development Fund SAM Project and the Multifunctional Hall.

In-depth STEM Education

Riga State Technical School provides in-depth learning of STEM-related disciplines and prepares its students to pursue similar education at the next level as well. At the Technology and Innovation Center, students are provided with advanced equipment to acquire practical knowledge and skills in mechanical engineering, metalworking, woodworking, energetics, railway, and printing industries. Additionally, Riga State Technical School is one of the leaders in terms of education offered at the level of secondary vocational education—in professions such as programming and computer systems technician, material

chemistry technician,

etc.

Robust Career-Counseling Services

In recent years, Riga State Technical School has developed robust career counseling services for its students. The teachers-career counselors at the school offer individual or group career support counseling, appointments, and tours for pupils of general education schools—to know and explore the educational opportunities offered, get an idea of the dormitory, training environment, and technical provision.

The school works closely with the Employers' Confederation of Latvia—in the preparation of labor market specialists—so that the outcome of the educational programs is relevant to the employers' requirements. For several years, it has been recognized as the employers' recommended vocational secondary education institute in Latvia.

The Students' Self-Government

Students' self-government at Riga State Technical School is the organization of the most active and conscientious students. It works to defend the students' rights and manage different cultural and educational activities for them as well as teachers. Students' self-government supports the involvement of students in the activities of

different sport groups. Moreover, they are active participants of young people's dance collective “ Pavediens (The Thread) ”.

Sustaining the Impacts of the Crisis

The COVID-19 outbreak posed several challenges for educational institutes across the globe. Practical learning was halted due to the stay-at-home orders and other pandemic impositions. However, the unprecedented situation did not majorly affect the process of practical lessons at Riga State Technical School. The work-based learning approach and the implementation of internships at employers provided an important base for maintaining the quality of the practical skills of students.

During the crisis, the students of Riga State Technical School were able to prove themselves with excellent achievements in professional skills competitions. They were the winners of the Graphics Design and Web Technologies competitions at SKILLS/LATVIA 2021. Moreover, they won the ﬁrst prize both individually and as a team at “The Wise Accountant 2021” competition.

Preparations for the Future

Riga State Technical School is set to put the new Multifunctional Hall in service in the autumn of 2021, providing a plethora of opportunities for students to both engage in sports activities and organize events across the wider spectrum. It expects to quickly return to the onsite training process, as it is essential for the implementation of practical subjects as well as for the full provision of internship in both technical school and internship companies. The challenges for the school in the near future are related to the integration of new learning content into the study process, as well as quality monitoring across all levels.

Emphasizing Sustainability

The European Union has declared 2021 the European Railway Year to promote the use of trains as safe and sustainable transport. Heeding Rail Baltica's new railway infrastructure project, Riga State Technical School has offered new education programs—such as the Renewable Energy Technician Program—in the

“

RSTS provides the country with highly-qualiﬁed specialists, maintains cultural values dominating in the society, and work virtue, thus achieving that RSTS not only delivers knowledge to the students but also creates mental and ethical values.

context of the challenges of the railway sector, as well as updating the potential for alternative energy in the future.

The school is already outlining the developments of the future labor market in communication with industry representatives. This will allow it to respond to the most pressing challenges, both in the deﬁnition of future occupations and in the development and implementation of new study programs.

Being an RSTS Student

Riga State Technical School believes that only a comprehensive specialist of knowledge and skills who is ready to acquire new knowledge can be prepared for the st challenges of the labor market in the 21 century. Thus, it looks forward to the interest of young professionals in demonstrating themselves—both in various professional skills competitions in the sector and in the acquisition of general education and professional subjects.

Students choosing Riga State Technical School should be aware of the employers' expectations from graduates of a vocational education institution. From the school's point of view, they should have a desire to acquire a profession and be ready to pursue an internship during the training process at the employer. Moreover, an ideal Riga State Technical School student should consider the possibilities to study at the next level and pursue a lucrative career after graduating from the school.