The scientific-research work of higher education students in universities: an analysis of foreign experience

Abstract

Abstract: This review article presents the peculiarities of implementing scientific-research work by higher education students as one of the priority components of the educational process organization within universities. The necessity of enhancing the scientific component in the structure of modern higher education institutions in Ukraine is emphasized. The relevance is due to the fact that, in the current context of university life on the path to European integration in educational policy, it is worth studying foreign experience. The aim of the study is to analyse foreign experience in organising scientific-research work for students in higher education institutions; to characterise the levels of its implementation in Ukrainian universities and to outline proposals that will contribute to improving the phenomenon under study, taking into account the current state and characteristics of the educational environment. The study applies several theoretical research methods, including: analysis and synthesis of the results of psychological and pedagogical research by Ukrainian and foreign scholars regarding the organization of scientific-research work by students; systematization; specification to identify key positions of foreign experience; and generalization to formulate conclusions and predict the prospects for further scientific research. The results present an analysis of the literary and source base and prove that the issue of increasing the share of scientific-research work in the preparation of specialists in higher education institutions is the subject of study for many scholars from various countries, including the United States, Germany, Switzerland, France, Spain, Norway, the Philippines, Chile, Peru, and Kuwait. The article characterizes the organizing the educational environment of a modern university, which involves the scientific-research work of students in alignment with the implementation of educational programs, and also supplements the educational process through extracurricular activities in collaboration with other stakeholders. Proposals are outlined for improving the organisation of scientific-research work by applicants at Ukrainian universities in line with the challenges of the current situation. The conclusions justify that the scientific component should be a dominant feature of the professional training of future specialists, which is manifested through the involvement of students in various types of scientific-research work during their studies at higher education institutions.