Westminster Higher Education Forum Keynote Seminar - The way forward for STEM subjects in Higher Education
Nationwide, England (London)
06.12.2012
9am - 1pm
Discussion at this seminar will focus on Government policy in relation to key issues facing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Higher Education and is timed to follow both the House of Lords Science and Technology Sub-Committee Inquiry on these matters, and the Government response, which is expected in the autumn.
Delegates will consider the quality and content of STEM degree programmes; how schools, colleges, universities, industry and Government can work together to encourage greater uptake among home students of STEM subjects at university and whether the quality and availability of careers advice and guidance for students is sufficient to prepare graduates for entry into the labour market for high-end sectors. Sessions will also focus on how university-industry collaboration can be harnessed to deliver improvements in these areas, along with the UK’s comparative performance with other leading economies.
Topics for discussion include:
• Key findings from the Science and Technology Sub-Committee I inquiry into STEM subjects in Higher Education and Government’s response; includes keynote addresses from Baroness Perry of Southwark, Member, House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee and Dr Joanne Hodges, Head of Science and Society, Knowledge and Innovation Group, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills;
• Funding for STEM courses, deemed ‘Strategically Important Subjects’;
• Quality, course structure and industry involvement;
• The range of courses and access to STEM in Higher Education;
• Progression for STEM students - careers guidance, employment prospects and access to post-graduate study.