The Evolution of STEM Education Research and Its Impact on Vietnam's Higher Education

Abstract

The 4.0 Industrial Revolution has propelled STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) into a global trend, emphasizing practical application and skills development. For Vietnamese universities, integrating STEM is critical to equipping graduates with 21st-century workforce competencies. STEM education fosters the creation of innovations such as smartphones, self-driving cars, and smart applications, necessitating well-trained scientists and engineers. To align with global trends, Vietnamese higher education prioritizes enhancing learners’ capacities and creative thinking by focusing on teaching methodologies rather than solely content. Innovating teaching approaches and university training models is essential during this integration period.

This study explores the significance of STEM education in university-level Engineering programs, highlighting its advantages and its role as an effective educational solution. Using Harzing’s Publish or Perish software to analyze Google Scholar data (2010–2024) with the keyword "University-level STEM education," the research evaluates the growth and impact of STEM education in Vietnam. It also examines challenges faced by educators and institutions in implementing STEM, proposing strategies to overcome these obstacles and improve teaching and learning outcomes in a modern educational context