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TOWARDS REMEDIES IN EUROPE Prof.dr. S.E. Wendelaar Bonga University of Nijmegen

OECD Working Group on Declining Interest in Science Studies. TOWARDS REMEDIES IN EUROPE Prof.dr. S.E. Wendelaar Bonga University of Nijmegen. Number of S&T students 1993-2003 average annual change (*). (*) Computed as Mean normalized regression coefficient. OECD – Global Science Forum. 2.

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TOWARDS REMEDIES IN EUROPE Prof.dr. S.E. Wendelaar Bonga University of Nijmegen

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  1. OECD Working Group on Declining Interest in Science Studies TOWARDS REMEDIES IN EUROPEProf.dr.S.E. Wendelaar BongaUniversity of Nijmegen

  2. Number of S&T students1993-2003 average annual change(*) (*)Computed as Mean normalized regression coefficient OECD – Global Science Forum 2

  3. Percentage of S&T students1993-2003 average annual change(*) OECD – Global Science Forum (*)Computed as Mean normalized regression coefficient 3

  4. S&T Entrants, Graduates, PhD by discipline • Generally increasing trends in Computer and Engineering • Sharp decreases in Mathematics and Physical Sciences • Life Science graduates and PhD increasing, potential future decline indicated by new entrants OECD – Global Science Forum 4

  5. The Gender issue by discipline • Generally more Females than Males in Life Science • Female ratio dramatically low (20% and below) in Computer and Engineering • Mathematics and Physical Sciences between 20% and 50% • Important differences between trends for different disciplines and countries OECD – Global Science Forum 5

  6. Good practice Faculty of Science 1998 – 2005 Radboud University of Nijmegen The Netherlands 6

  7. Opinions of secondary school students about science studies 7

  8. Strategy Communication (16/17/18 yr old) • regional networks • independent communication • possibilities to visit / participate Innovation • comprehensive Bachelor programmes • research projects • tutoring • career oriented Master programmes (R, C, E, M) Evaluation • surveys 16/17/18 yr old • 1° yr experience • career studies • feedback visitors 8

  9. Redesigning the faculty as an academic link between secondary education and society ORGANIZATION INFRASTRUCTURE orientation choice process Master programmes 2° EDUCATION BACHELOR MASTER SOCIETY career perspective continuity differentiation RESEARCH PROFILE EDUCATION PROFILE “The Nijmegen Model” 9

  10. Enrolment in the Faculty of Science of the University of Nijmegennew students 1994 - 2005 start start 10

  11. Succes factors • “Market” analysis, at supply and demand side • Combined multidisciplinary approach (“Science”) • Thorough evaluation of all activities • Continuous and integrated process: chain approach (no isolated or single actions • Small but permanent task force: team of teachers (secondary and tertiary) and supportive staff 11

  12. Causes and remedies 1. - Cause: “poor professional perspective” - Remedy: Show secondary school students that science opens doors to a wide variety of attractive jobs; show university students how to qualify for those jobs 2. - Cause: “Little society-oriented” - Remedies: • Show secondary school students that science is fun & interesting and important for solving many societal problems • Offer students internships in industries and other organisations 12

  13. Causes and remedies 3. - Cause: “Studies too limited” - Remedies: • Offer options to combine majors in science with minors in non-science disciplines • Offer multidisciplinary studies (biophysics, molecular life sciences, financial mathematics) 4. - Cause: “Too theoretical (mind on)” - Remedy: Present experimental lab courses up from the start of bachelors (“hands on, mind on”) 13

  14. Key issues identified by the OECD working group 1. Image of science and scientists 2. Science and technology careers 3. Science education and curricula 4. Teacher training, qualification and development 5. Issues related to gender and ethnic / cultural minorities 14

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