Abstract:

The paper analyses the perceived need for change in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) higher education institutions with the aim of improving accessibility, quality, and the student experience. The study was carried out at a technical university among a sample of students in the Industrial Engineering and Management program, the nature and requirements of which are significantly influenced by the emergence of smart industry technologies. The main objective of the study is to identify key areas where students feel a need for change, as well as to analyse the factors that support and oppose the implementation of these changes. The study is based on a qualitative approach, and thematic content analysis was used to process the data. The data were collected through structured student projects focused on proposing changes to the university environment. As part of these projects, students reflected on their study experiences in the context of a changing technological environment and formulated proposals for its improvement. The results highlight several key areas, including the organization of studies, the availability of study resources, the quality of teaching, communication between students and faculty, as well as technical and material support, all of which are becoming increasingly important in the context of digitalization and the rise of smart industry principles. The study also identified key drivers of change, such as rising student expectations, pressure to develop digital and interdisciplinary competencies, and technological progress, as well as forces resisting change, which include organizational rigidity, insufficient resources, and resistance to change. The study’s findings provide insights for managers and policymakers in the field of technology-oriented higher education, emphasizing the importance of systematically incorporating student feedback when implementing changes aimed at improving the quality, accessibility, and relevance of education in the context of a dynamically evolving smart industry.

Keywords:

Change, higher education, resistance, student involvement, striving forces.