Implementation Strategy and Action Plan to Promote a STEM Education, Innovation and Employment Program for Barbados - Final Report
Date
2016-09-05
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Abstract
The specific objectives of this consultancy, carried out by the Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF), were to review the current status of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education and STEM-related employment in Barbados, and establish a comprehensive Blueprint for a STEM education, innovation and employment program for Barbados. The review of the current status of STEM education and STEM-related employment in Barbados comprised a survey of about one hundred Barbadians from several different sectors. The major recommendations of the STEM Blueprint incorporate perspectives from respondents to the survey. This STEM Blueprint addresses Pillar 5 of the Barbados Human Resource Development (HRD) Strategy which has a primary goal of promoting research, entrepreneurship, and innovation in primary through tertiary education with a view to increasing the number of STEM-based small and medium size enterprises (SME) contributing to economic growth. Whereas Barbados has in the past invested a considerable amount of its GDP in supporting micro and SME development, the results have not led to significant changes in the economic development of the country. Unemployment remains at very high levels. This Blueprint lays out the challenges, proposes a strategy, and makes a set of specific recommendations for implementation to promote STEM education and STEM-related employment in Barbados. In particular, the Blueprint points out that expansion and diversification of the private sector is key. It recommends both attracting and home-growing more technology-based companies, removing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and creating a more business friendly environment, and reforming STEM education at all levels to increase the number of young people pursuing STEM-related careers. To assist the Government with the planning and implementation of this private-sector expansion and diversification strategy, the Blueprint recommends the formation of a Science and Engineering Advisory Board (SEAB) for Barbados, with membership comprising international and Caribbean experts in science, engineering and business. The chairman of the SEAB would report directly to the Prime Minister.
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STEM education, innovation, employment, STEM blueprint