Navigating through the Odds

At a meeting on 29^th December 1919, the Cabinet Ministers of Latvia decided to open a technical secondary school as a state educational institution. By 1940, 1505 students graduated from the technical school and many of them pursued successful careers. However, the operations of the school were interrupted during the Soviet occupation.

In 1940, the administration and some training programs in the technical school were replaced. The German occupation period from 1941 to 1944 was also difficult for the school. However, the training continued despite the wartime challenges. After the war in 1945, the technical school was named “Riga Industrial Polytechnical School”. Later, it was renamed “Riga State Technical School” in August 1991.

Since the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Latvia in 1990, Riga State Technical School has grown significantly. Adapting to the requirements of an open economy, it changed the training programs in terms of content. The school also made significant investments in practical training equipment and environmental arrangements. In 2016, a new Innovation and Technology Center was established at Riga State Technical School. This year, the Center has planned to complete the third round of the European Regional Development Fund SAM Project and the Multifunctional Hall.

In-depth STEM Education

Riga State Technical School provides in-depth learning of STEM-related disciplines and prepares its students to pursue similar education at the next level as well. At the Technology and Innovation Center, students are provided with advanced equipment to acquire practical knowledge and skills in mechanical engineering, metalworking, woodworking, energetics, railway, and printing industries. Additionally, Riga State Technical School is one of the leaders in terms of education offered at the level of secondary vocational education—in professions such as programming and computer systems technician, material chemistry technician, etc.

Robust Career-Counseling Services

In recent years, Riga State Technical School has developed robust career counseling services for its students. The teachers-career counselors at the school offer individual or group career support counseling, appointments, and tours for pupils of general education schools—to know and explore the educational opportunities offered, get an idea of the dormitory, training environment, and technical provision.

The school works closely with the Employers’ Confederation of Latvia—in the preparation of labor market specialists—so that the outcome of the educational programs is relevant to the employers’ requirements. For several years, it has been recognized as the employers’ recommended vocational secondary education institute in Latvia.

The Students’ Self-Government

Students’ self-government at Riga State Technical School is the organization of the most active and conscientious students. It works to defend the students’ rights and manage different cultural and educational activities for them as well as teachers. Students’ self-government supports the involvement of students in the activities of different sport groups. Moreover, they are active participants of young people’s dance collective “Pavediens (The Thread)”.

Sustaining the Impacts of the Crisis

The COVID-19 outbreak posed several challenges for educational institutes across the globe. Practical learning was halted due to the stay-at-home orders and other pandemic impositions. However, the unprecedented situation did not majorly affect the process of practical lessons at Riga State Technical School. The work-based learning approach and the implementation of internships at employers provided an important base for maintaining the quality of the practical skills of students.

During the crisis, the students of Riga State Technical School were able to prove themselves with excellent achievements in professional skills competitions. They were the winners of the Graphics Design and Web Technologies competitions at SKILLS/LATVIA 2021. Moreover, they won the first prize both individually and as a team at “The Wise Accountant 2021” competition.

Preparations for the Future

Riga State Technical School is set to put the new Multifunctional Hall in service in the autumn of 2021, providing a plethora of opportunities for students to both engage in sports activities and organize events across the wider spectrum. It expects to quickly return to the onsite training process, as it is essential for the implementation of practical subjects as well as for the full provision of internship in both technical school and internship companies. The challenges for the school in the near future are related to the integration of new learning content into the study process, as well as quality monitoring across all levels.

Emphasizing Sustainability

The European Union has declared 2021 the European Railway Year to promote the use of trains as safe and sustainable transport. Heeding Rail Baltica’s new railway infrastructure project, Riga State Technical School has offered new education programs—such as the Renewable Energy Technician Program—in the context of the challenges of the railway sector, as well as updating the potential for alternative energy in the future.

The school is already outlining the developments of the future labor market in communication with industry representatives. This will allow it to respond to the most pressing challenges, both in the definition of future occupations and in the development and implementation of new study programs.

Being an RSTS Student

Riga State Technical School believes that only a comprehensive specialist of knowledge and skills who is ready to acquire new knowledge can be prepared for the challenges of the labor market in the 21^st century. Thus, it looks forward to the interest of young professionals in demonstrating themselves—both in various professional skills competitions in the sector and in the acquisition of general education and professional subjects.

Students choosing Riga State Technical School should be aware of the employers’ expectations from graduates of a vocational education institution. From the school’s point of view, they should have a desire to acquire a profession and be ready to pursue an internship during the training process at the employer. Moreover, an ideal Riga State Technical School student should consider the possibilities to study at the next level and pursue a lucrative career after graduating from the school.

ALSO READ: The 10 Most Recognized STEM Universities to Watch in 2022

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STEM education is a method of education in which subjects are taught in coherence instead of in isolation. It is important in today’s world as it emphasizes on bridging the learning gap by putting the children at the core of the experience, making them active learners from passive listeners. Thus, institutions offering STEM education are gaining ground in the rigorous competition among educational institutions today.

Incepted in 2001, Harrisburg University (HU) is one such institution that was founded by visionaries who upended old models of higher education in pursuit of STEM learning for underserved communities. The founders created an institution which partners with businesses and governments to fill their needs for a skilled workforce in science and technology. At Harrisburg University, strong career-development partnerships immerse students in the heart of the STEM economy even before they graduate.

Transforming Classroom Education into Careers

Harrisburg University is a world-class university with affordable tuition and a diverse student body hailing from its backyard and around the globe. The main campus stands in the heart of a safe, thriving metropolitan city. HU’s undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students engage in real research and work experiences, in close partnerships with leading and upstart businesses and agencies across the STEM spectrum.

An HU diploma equips students with the technical keys to success as well as the collaborative and communication skills that employers demand and the networking that opens doors. Guided by faculty who are respected leaders in their fields, HU’s students transform classroom education into careers with meaningful impact.

Best-in-class Academic Programs

At HU, the student success springs from undergraduate and graduate academic programs that are student-centered, technologically advanced, and experimental. The highly accessible programs offered by the university include undergraduate degrees offered on its vibrant campuses, while best-in-class graduate degrees are offered online or in a blended format. It offers numerous academic programs including,

• Undergraduate Degrees: S. Advanced Manufacturing, B.S. Applied Mathematics, B.S. Biotechnology, B.S. Computer and Information Sciences, B.S. Cybersecurity Operations and Management (Online), B.S. Environmental Science and Sustainability, B.S. E-sports Management, Production and Performance, B.S. Geospatial Technology, B.S. Information Systems and Information Technology (Online), B.S. Integrative Sciences, B.S. Interactive Media, B.S. Management, Entrepreneurship & Business Administration (Online), B.S. Management, Entrepreneurship, and Business Administration, B.S. Nursing RN to BSN (Online).
  
• Graduate Degrees:S. Analytics, M.S. Biotechnology, M.S. Computer Information Sciences, M.S. Consumer Behaviour and Decision Sciences, M.S. Healthcare Informatics, M.S. Human-Centered Interaction Design, M.S. Information Systems Engineering and Management, M.S. Learning Technologies and Media Systems, M.S. Next Generation Technologies, M.S Nursing (Online), M.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences, M.S. Project Management, M.S. Techpreneurship, Ph.D. Computational Sciences, Ph.D. Data Sciences Engineering and Management, Ph.D. Information Systems.

An Array of Support Services

Alongside the academic programs, students at HU also have access to a rich array of support services such as BRAINFUSE –Free, one-on-one online tutoring with professional tutors, faculty, and individual advisors; Tutoring Program –Individual peer tutors in many subjects available upon request; and Connections Program –where new students are directed to learn more about HU classes, academics, social events, study skills, and everything else that will help them succeed at HU. The university also offers Technology Literacy Program and The Bridge Program.

Furthermore, with its foundation in technology as a world-class STEM university, HU pivoted seamlessly to fully-online, high-quality learning as the pandemic took hold. The university introduced numerous virtual resources such as The Virtual Student Union (VSU) portal to support during unprecedented times.

Vibrant Campus Life

HU’s campus is located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s beautiful, riverfront capital city –that environs buzz with vast dining options, exciting entertainment and culture, and sports to play and watch. HU’s championship esports team–The HU Storm –hosts thrilling tournaments. The university offers students internship opportunities in topflight health care, government, and technology institutions. Moreover, every student gets a free membership in Harrisburg Young Professionals, where they can socialize, play, serve the community, and practice the art of networking–which is essential to career success.

Fulfilling the Industry Demands

The University empowers students by providing them with three essentials –21^st-century academic majors, affordability, and competency-driven education –to thrive in the increasing competition. The competency-driven education offered by HU produces well-rounded graduates, desirable to employers for their agile thinking and innovative perspectives. HU students are critical thinkers, able to define and approach situations from multiple viewpoints, and consider all outcomes. With their analytical skills, students can synthesize and interpret complex information from many sources. Their fearlessness in taking risks and offering creative ideas differentiates them from other students.

These and more essential skills are incorporated into HU’s core competencies. “These in-demand competencies also include civic engagement, entrepreneurship, and ethical awareness and reasoning, global awareness, information literacy, and that 21^st-century essential –teamwork and collaboration,” says Dr. Eric Darr (President at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology).

Spearheading the Expansion

Since being named the President of Harrisburg University in 2013, Dr. Darr has been instrumental in launching HU and has continued to shape its vision while serving as faculty member and administrator. Under his dynamic leadership, HU’s enrolment has grown from 500 to more than 6,000 students today. The university also added 33 new graduate and undergraduate concentrations and degree programs, and faculty have secured substantial grants and student scholarship support.

In downtown Harrisburg, HU’s presence has grown from one academic tower– fully-equipped with 21^st-century classrooms and laboratories, to five sites including historical buildings revitalized into modern residences. HU’s state-of-the-art, $100 million Health Science Education Centre, scheduled to open in 2023 will usher a new generation of students into the booming healthcare professions. Moreover, a new location in Philadelphia is centrally-positioned to deliver HU’s world-class STEM education to more students throughout the Mid-Atlantic. “Plans are underway to expand overseas, and more of our degrees are available 100 percent online. Students grow as HU grows,” adds Dr. Darr.

In the coming years, Dr. Darr envisions HU to seek growth in new corners by expanding its physical presence and program delivery methods. He believes that the new programs will keep pace with ever-changing STEM disciplines, while they continue to attract students eager to learn and grow in the global economy.

Read Full Magazine:- The 10 Best STEM Universities of 2021

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Established in 1960, Broward College is one of Florida’s largest public colleges. Originally named the Junior College of Broward County, Broward College was created as a part of a network of the country’s two-year colleges. It was further renamed Broward Community College afterward. In 2008, the college was finally named ‘Broward College’—when it was granted the approval to offer four-year bachelor’s degrees. The college is spread across three campuses and various centers throughout Broward County. Currently, it is home to over 60,000 students on an annual basis with a huge faculty and staff composed of more than 2000. In 2021, University HQ ranked Broward College the most affordable college in Florida from more than 100 higher education.

Abundant Academic Opportunities

Broward College is committed to fostering a learning-centered community which celebrates diversity and inclusion by empowering and engaging students, faculty, and staff. Be it a traditional or a non-traditional student, a first-generation college student, or a student from a low-income community, the college couples its commitment with immense support to guide students towards success.

Broward College offers several academic services to its students through the following initiatives:

Academic Success Center (ASC) – Provides a variety of quality support services in a comfortable, collaborative atmosphere. Services provided by the ASC include certified tutors and online tutoring services, collaborative project space, laptop loans, and open computer centers with printing and scanning access.

Accessibility Resources – Ensures seamless access to all Broward College programs, activities, and services and promotes college-wide access that leads to an inclusive and equitable opportunity for students with disabilities.

Career Center and the Career Services Team – Helps with choosing a major, exploring career pathways, advice on resumes, job searches, internships, practice interviews, and other career-related activities.

Seahawk Outreach Services (SOS) – Provides wrap-around services and holistic support to students by connecting them to key campus resources and referring them to community organizations. Its goal is to help reduce food and housing insecurities, stress/mental health challenges, homelessness, and financial obstacles among the student population.

Enriched College Experience

Every higher education institution must strive to produce graduates by offering opportunities for personal development and civic engagement—transitioning students into responsible and active citizens. Broward College offers an encompassing teaching experience which goes beyond what is taught in classrooms.

Broward College constitutes a rich student life network offering abundant opportunities such as community outreach initiatives, and fun activities. The college also provides students the option to participate in events it hosts such as the annual Hackathon, most of which were available even during the pandemic.

During the pandemic, the college adopted a remote learning environment by hosting events via zoom and other streaming and interactive platforms. Broward College highly believes that college is a time to broaden horizons and build real-life experiences, and offers a plethora of activities for the students. These are namely—student government, clubs, volunteering and philanthropy, cultural presentations, civic dialog, and study abroad programs.

Supervised by Idealistic Mindset

At the core of Broward College, Dr. Nichole Vaughan (Dean of Science and Wellness) works collaboratively with the faculty to develop high-quality academic programs. Being a senior-level administrator, she beholds experience in areas of curriculum development, assessing institutional effectiveness, managing department resources including budgets, facilities and physical assets, faculty development, and performance reviews.

People at the college work together to accomplish its goals and missions. Dr. Vaughan supervises the associate deans for the department, and also works in collaboration with other deans and district directors at the college as well as institution leadership to maximize opportunities for ensuring student success.

‘STEM Education’ for Academic Benefits

As a critical aspect to the nation’s ongoing economic success, Broward College emphasizes STEM Education in its curriculum as it drives innovation and the generation of new ideas. STEM education involves a seamless integration of four cornerstones—computer technology; mathematical science; engineering; and natural, physical, and life science. Although employment in STEM education has grown over the years, a shortage of STEM professionals graduating from programs continues to exist.

To promote and strengthen STEM education, the Department of Education, in general, has invested more than $500 million. The investment aims to provide avenues for curriculum development and access to materials, to recruit and train innovative STEM educators, as well as investment in attracting more diverse representation. To thrive in the global competition, the STEM investment must bear varied and diverse results in the STEM curriculum in elementary schools. This should further incorporate hands-on learning and real-world applications in order to promote STEM education to children at an early age.

Leveraging Potentials of STEM

Leveraging the potentials and possibilities of STEM Education, Broward College offers more than 33 programs inculcating STEM. These include eight programs at the associate degree level and four at the baccalaureate degree level along with varied technical certificates. These are namely—Spatial Computing, Information Technology, Cloud and Virtualization Analyst, Cybersecurity Analyst, Information Technology Management, Web Development, and many more.

Broward College looks for two important areas prior to enrolling students for STEM education. These are—interest in discovery, and the ability to engage in an inquiry to find its solutions. To do this, students need to be problem solvers and possess strong analytical and critical-thinking skills. STEM students also need to be able to communicate well and work collaboratively with others toward a common goal. Additional skills such as being adaptable, creative, and persistent are also important.

Escorting through Vast Opportunities

With an abundance in the availability of engineering colleges around the world, students should emphasize three important areas before opting for a college to pursue higher studies. The first one is the available academic majors. Students should enquire whether the concerned college is offering their preferred major and a strong network for placement in internships or career counseling.

Secondly, students should seek for affordability and availability of scholarships at their desired institution. They should keep looking out for the availability of work-study or jobs on campus in accordance with their financial situation. The third important aspect is the diversity of the campus. Students should keep in mind whether the campus feels inclusive and provides important services to them while deciding whether they feel represented or not.

Adapting to Changing Educational Spheres

Dr. Vaughan states that she expects a renewed push to return to normalcy for the 2021-22 academic year and on-campus learning. She adds that students will have to adapt to the new normal of learning in new ways, by merging lessons learned from remote learning with on-campus experience. “Faculty and students will need to be creative in how they can safely interact with each other, which may lead to novel methods of engagement.” Says Dr. Vaughan.

ALOS READ: The 10 Elite Engineering Colleges of 2023

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