Required and Acquired Skills in STEM: Comparing Employers and Graduates' Perceptions in Kazakhstan

Abstract

University graduates’ skill sets remain a highly debated topic in Kazakhstan. While universities are experiencing increasing pressure from employers and policy makers with regards to bringing their programs closer to market needs, little is known about graduates’ required and acquired skills in Kazakhstan. This study addresses this gap by examining graduates and employers’ perceptions about science, technology, mathematics and engineering (STEM) graduates’ skill sets at one university in Kazakhstan. Using mixed methods research design, it aims to identify the most important skills for novice STEM professionals, to reveal how satisfied employers are with graduates’ skill sets and how graduates themselves assess their skills attained at the university so as to contribute to a better understanding of the role of universities, employers and students in developing students’ skills.....