Empower LA HE for Inclusion and STEAM Attraction

ongoing

This project aims to foster, promote and implement good practices that will enhance the capacity to attract, recruit and retain national and international degree seeking (Bachelor and Master) students in STEM areas, with a gender focus so that more women consider a career in these fields. It will provide partner country universities with the capacity to attract and retain an increasing number of degree-seeking students, both national and international, to their local communities. ItThis project aims to foster, promote and implement good practices that will enhance the capacity to attract, recruit and retain national and international degree seeking (Bachelor and Master) students in STEM areas, with a gender focus so that more women consider a career in these fields.It will provide partner country universities with the capacity to attract and retain an increasing number of degree-seeking students, both national and international, to their local communities. It will start with an analysis of the history of applications to STEM fields in selected countries in Europe and Latin America, and a review of the strategies in place to attract students to these fields. An Admissions Office benchmark will be examined, along with good practices identified across HEIs, followed by a pilot test to analyse the impact of selected measures. It will be necessary to define strategies and create the best environment to qualify human resources, change mindsets and gain international awareness and visibility. This approach should enforce the best international practices and promote the implementation of innovative ideas, which should generate a better integration of international students into the local academic community during their study period and beyond. The project aims to promote equality of opportunities and to address historical and systemic barriers to access for underrepresented groups, such as women, people from low-income backgrounds, ethnic minorities, and rural communities.