IDENTIFYING STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS THE CRISIS OF DECREASING DEMAND IN STEM MAJORS IN IRAN’S ACADEMIC SYSTEM

The decreasing demand for STEM majors poses a significant challenge in Iran and has implications for the country's development. Graduates in STEM fields play a vital role in the progress and growth of a nation. This study aims to identify effective strategies to tackle the crisis of decreasing demand in STEM majors within Iran's academic system. To accomplish this objective, a mixed-methods, sequential-exploratory approach was employed. The qualitative phase involved a case study methodology, conducting semi-structured interviews with 15 knowledgeable individuals. Practical solutions emerged from this phase. In the quantitative phase, the classical Delphi technique was used to validate these solutions. A questionnaire, based on qualitative findings, was distributed to 13 experts to achieve consensus. Statistical analyses, including Kendall's correlation coefficient, median, average, and quartile deviation, were employed to analyze the quantitative data. Both qualitative and quantitative findings reveal consensus among experts on nine significant solutions to address the decrease in demand for STEM majors in Iran's academic system. These solutions include merging small local universities with larger provincial universities, emphasizing the importance of the Document of Higher Education Survey, fostering interdisciplinary sciences, enhancing collaboration with local industries and communities, prioritizing problem-oriented and applied research, attracting foreign students from neighboring countries, improving quality standards, aligning curricula with labor market needs, and providing free and virtual training courses