IMPLEMENTATION OF STEM EDUCATION IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS THROUGH COOPERATION WITH ENTERPRISES AND COMPANIES

Abstract

The aim of the article is to formulate the basis for the project proposal under the European Union's  Erasmus + grant program "STEM education in higher education institutions of Kazakhstan and Ukraine". Tasks to be solved within the research: to study the state of STEM education in the world and in Ukraine; to study examples of application of STEM approach in Cherkasy State Technological University; on the basis of the study and experience at the university to formulate proposals for the development of STEM education in Ukraine, which can be included in the Erasmus + grant application project. Analysis of the state and development of STEM education in the United States, Europe and Ukraine makes it possible to say that the issue of STEM education is extremely relevant today. Economics
is in great need of STEM specialists, on the one hand, and STEM education provides graduates with good prospects in finding a job and building a career, on the other hand. In developed countries, a certain path has been traversed and some long-term experience in organizing STEM education has been gained. In Ukraine, much attention is also paid to the development of STEM education. A sufficiently extensive regulatory framework and methodological materials have been developed. Cherkasy State Technological University, as part of a consortium of universities from Europe, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, is participating in the preparation of a grant application for funding for a project under the EU-Erasmus + program. The project aims to develop a well-established dual STEMbased curriculum with international orientation in Ukraine and Kazakhstan through cooperation with companies and other stakeholders (the program will be based on cooperation with institutions from Serbia, Germany and Lithuania) and become a leader of STEM education in their regions. The project provides a basis for enhancing the human and infrastructural capacity needed to achieve this goal by training teachers, purchasing software and equipment, collaborating between universities, and collaborating with non-academic partners and companies and transferring knowledge and experience. It is planned to be implemented on the basis of three universities in Ukraine and Kazakhstan. The development of bachelor's or master's degree programs based on STEM education and lifelong learning programs will be carried out by transferring knowledge from higher education institutions from Erasmus + program countries (Germany, Serbia, Germany) to Ukrainian and Kazakh colleagues.