The Innovative STEM Graduate Debate: Part of the HEA STEM International Policy Briefing Series

Dates: 

Monday, March 31, 2014 - 11:45 to 17:15

Location

The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK

Contact

HEA External Events

Higher education teachers, managers, policy makers and others are invited to attend a free policy briefing which will discuss current issues in the teaching of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects at university level.

In building a successful economy, governments look to build capacity in STEM graduates. They see innovative STEM graduates bringing creativity, ideas and drive to help the economy grow in a wide range of sectors. The STEM skill set is seen as key in today’s society of BIG data, high performance manufacturing, and complex societal challenges. This event will bring together academics and higher education policy makers to discuss how to embed innovation into STEM Higher Education so that graduates develop the ability to engage effectively in a super complex world to achieve sustainable economic growth. 

Three panel debates will be held during the day, as follows:

Panel 1: What are the drivers for change and growth in STEM higher education and what skills do we require our STEM graduates to have?

Panel 2: What support for staff is needed to enable them to provide the optimum student learning experience for innovative STEM graduates?

Panel 3: What role has online learning in enabling students to acquire the practical skills relevant to STEM professionals in an e-enabled world?

Each Panel Debate will last for one hour, with a five minute comment from each panellist followed by an open floor debate.

To book on this free event please click here

Programme

The timetable for the day is as follows:

10:45-11:15 Arrival and refreshments

11:15-11:30 Introduction to the day

11:30-12:30 Panel 1: What are the drivers for change and growth in STEM higher education and what skills are required?

12:30-13:30 Lunch

13:30-14:30 Panel 2: What support for staff is needed to enable them to provide the optimum student learning experience for innovative STEM graduates?

14:30-15:00 Break, with refreshments and opportunity for networking

15:00 – 16:00 Panel 3: What role has online learning in enabling students to acquire the practical skills relevant to STEM professionals in an e-enabled world?

16:00 – 16:15 Closing remarks

16:15 Departure