Htqe.2022.33

https://doi.org/10.22364/htqe.2022.33 | 464-474 | PDF

Students’ Transversal Competence in International Business Studies: Mapping of Learning Outcomes and Curriculum Design

Romans Putans, Nora Jansone-Ratinika, Matiss Silis
Riga Stradins University

Abstract. The promotion of competence development is one of the priorities of education systems in Latvia and Europe. An important driving force in competence development is higher education study programmes, where students acquire professional and transversal skills. Special attention is given to the significance of transversal competence in promoting competitiveness, social integration, and accountability of graduates in their everyday and professional lives. In the research project Assessment of Higher Education Students Competencies and the Dynamics of its Development Throughout Studies (Rubene et al. 2021), qualitative and quantitative evaluation indicators and an assessment instrument for six transversal competences (Digital, Global, Innovation, Research, Civic, Entrepreneurial) were developed. The instrument facilitates an assessment of the students’ competence level and development.
International Business and Start-up Entrepreneurship (IBSE) is an international, interdisciplinary bachelor’s study programme at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU). Its goal is to prepare highly qualified and creative specialists in international business, start-up entrepreneurship, and management, who will be ready to participate in the business development and transformation of the national economy. In the intended learning outcomes of the study programme the emphasis is put on the graduates’ ability to analytically collect information, evaluate it critically, identify trends and find creative solutions to problems, as well as participate in the development of the international business and start-up entrepreneurship in a global environment.
In the framework of this study, the intended learning outcomes of the IBSE programme were mapped to the assessment indicators of transversal competence. Analysis of the curriculum map led to conclusions to what extent the six transversal competence are present in the curriculum, the succession of their acquisition, and their concordance with the education level of the study programme. Recommendations for improving study programme learning outcomes were identified to improve the acquisition of transversal competence within the study programme.

Keywords: Higher Education, Mapping, Methodology, Transversal Competence, Skills, Study Results

Author Note
This research was supported by the project “Assessment of Competences of Higher Education Students and Dynamics of Their Development in the Study Process” (ESF project 8.3.6.2: Development and Implementation of the Education Quality Monitoring System) (Project agreement no. ESS2022/422).

In: Human, Technologies and Quality of Education, 2022. Proceedings of Scientific Papers = Cilvēks, tehnoloģijas un izglītības kvalitāte, 2022. Rakstu krājums
Riga, University of Latvia, 2022. 1135 p. Ed. L. Daniela
https://doi.org/10.22364/htqe.2022
ISBN 978-9934-18-911-1