STEM EDUCATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION: A MODEL FOR TRAINING HIGH - QUALITY HUMAN RESOURCES

In the context of digital transformation, STEM education is increasingly recognized as a key approach to developing professional competencies for engineering students. However, existing studies tend to implement Project-Based Learning (PBL) or the Engineering Design Process (EDP) separately, lacking systematically integrated models with empirical validation in higher education in Vietnam. This study proposes and evaluates the i-STEM (PD) model, which integrates PBL and EDP, through model development, implementation of a STEM project in electrical engineering, and assessment of its impact on student learning outcomes and competencies. A mixed-methods with quasi-experimental design was used with 50 electrical engineering students, divided into experimental and control groups. Data was collected via questionnaires, observations, and learning assessments, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and T-tests. The results indicate that the i-STEM (PD) model significantly improves students’ problem-solving and engineering design competencies, while also enhancing engagement and learning attitudes. These findings provide empirical evidence and contribute to both theoretical and practical foundations for implementing STEM education in engineering higher education in Vietnam.