IncluSTEM

Funded by: Erasmus Plus/EU
Time period: 2020-2023
Project members (universities, research institutes, companies): KTH, TU Berlin, UP Madrid
Project contact persons:

Background: 

IncluSTEM’s context has emerged throughout the so-called “refugee crisis” in 2015 with many migrants coming to Europe striving for a future. Higher education institutions across Europe have been and still are overwhelmed by the many migrants with previous higher education or the determination to make a career in Europe and - in spite of the Lisbon Recognition Convention (LRC) which encourages a flexible approach to the recognition of qualifications held by refugees, displaced persons and persons in a refugee-like situation across Europe - ignored the necessity to adapt to this new (prospective) student group. This eventuates in the over-qualification of many migrants since they are forced to find employment irrespective of their previous education or qualification. The successful inclusion into European society and the labour market is, hence, hindered and the migrants potential left untapped.  

At the same time, the European labour market is facing a major change: the Digital Era which confronts a big share of the working population with the need to acquire new (digital) skills. Many companies across Europe have been looking desperately for professionals in the STEM and IT sector to be able to cope with the challenges ahead.  

The core partners of IncluSTEM therefore join forces to create a “Hub of Expertise” to tackle both of these challenges together. By collaborating on these issues, KTH Stockholm, TU Berlin and UP Madrid managed to create an all-encompassing “A Handbook of Best Practices for Inclusive Higher Education”. Every partner brings different strengths and areas of expertise into this Strategic Partnership in order to follow their objectives of: 

Developing a model to build inclusive higher education institutions for students with a migration background 

Raising awareness for both the students with a migration background’s needs as well as the needs and challenges of the university staff working with them on an institutional-level as well as on a European Higher Education Area-level 

Developing innovative and flexible teaching and learning methods tailored to the target group’s needs 

Strengthening a European identity of every actor involved