Integrating industry certification into STEM-oriented vocational undergraduate education: Taking the major of financial technology application as an example
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: To address the persistent misalignment between competencies cultivated in traditional vocational education and the dynamic requirements of industry, this study–anchored in the STEM education framework–proposes an integrated model for embedding industry-recognized certification within undergraduate programs in financial technology. Using the +X intermediate certification in financial big data processing as a focal point, the research introduces the “STEM-certification double helix” model, operationalized through a closed-loop system comprising competency decomposition, dynamic mapping, and evidence-based traceability. The model enables the effective alignment between industry certification standards and curriculum objectives. Empirical evidence indicates that its implementation significantly enhances the pass rate of 1+X certifications and students’ data processing competencies, thereby elevating the overall quality of education and improving graduates’ employability. Based on these results, the author puts forward strategic recommendations, including institutional-level promotion, strengthened school-enterprise collaboration, and the establishment of supportive policy frameworks. These measures offer both theoretical and practical pathways for advancing technology-enabled transformation in vocational undergraduate education.
Author: Kanmei Huang
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7077071530