Possible futures for science and engineering education

• Main Authors: Blackie, Margaret, Le Roux, Kate, McKenna, Sioux
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Springer Netherlands 2016
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/66796; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-015-9962-y

Publisher version === From Introduction: The understanding that the science, engineering, technology and mathematics disciplines (STEM) have a significant and directly causal role to play in economic productivity and innovation has driven an increased focus on these fields in higher education. Innovation in this context is a shorthand for the harnessing of the knowledge economy and the provision of products with novel significant ‘added value’. The assumption in both developed and developing economies alike is that STEM will drive national growth (World Bank 2002; UNESCO 2009), and this impacts on demands that universities provide competent graduates in sufficient numbers. However, exactly what ‘competency’ might mean in this context is open to debate.