Motivated and confident: A comparison of undergraduate engineering and non-engineering STEM students in Indonesia

Syifa Asatyas; Kate Wilson; Zlatko Jovanoski; Syifa Asatyas; Kate Wilson; Zlatko Jovanoski

doi:10.3934/steme.2026038

STEM Education

2026, Volume 6, Issue 5: 952-973. doi: 10.3934/steme.2026038

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Case report

Motivated and confident: A comparison of undergraduate engineering and non-engineering STEM students in Indonesia

1.
School of Engineering and Technology, UNSW Canberra, Australia
2.
School of Science, UNSW Canberra, Australia

Academic Editor: William Guo

Received: 27 February 2026 Revised: 21 July 2026 Accepted: 05 August 2026 Published: 03 September 2026

This paper explores the motivations and optimism of undergraduate students enrolled in engineering and non-engineering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs in Indonesia. Using quantitative analysis of data collected via an online survey distributed through social media platforms, the study finds that engineering students reported higher levels of confidence than non-engineering STEM students, while females more frequently reported career-related motivations. In contrast, non-engineering STEM students exhibited more varied motivational profiles, with male students showing stronger intrinsic value and female students reporting stronger utility and attainment value. Notably, engineering students of both genders expressed strong confidence in their future, while in the case of non-engineering STEM students, female participants reported greater confidence than their male peers, which may reflect an association between external factors and optimism. Understanding the aspirations of students and the factors that affect their confidence is essential for sustaining student engagement and progressing inclusive STEM education strategies that benefit the development of Indonesia.
- motivation,
- task value,
- confidence,
- expectancy,
- undergraduate
Citation: Syifa Asatyas, Kate Wilson, Zlatko Jovanoski. Motivated and confident: A comparison of undergraduate engineering and non-engineering STEM students in Indonesia[J]. STEM Education, 2026, 6(5): 952-973. doi: 10.3934/steme.2026038

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Abstract

This paper explores the motivations and optimism of undergraduate students enrolled in engineering and non-engineering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs in Indonesia. Using quantitative analysis of data collected via an online survey distributed through social media platforms, the study finds that engineering students reported higher levels of confidence than non-engineering STEM students, while females more frequently reported career-related motivations. In contrast, non-engineering STEM students exhibited more varied motivational profiles, with male students showing stronger intrinsic value and female students reporting stronger utility and attainment value. Notably, engineering students of both genders expressed strong confidence in their future, while in the case of non-engineering STEM students, female participants reported greater confidence than their male peers, which may reflect an association between external factors and optimism. Understanding the aspirations of students and the factors that affect their confidence is essential for sustaining student engagement and progressing inclusive STEM education strategies that benefit the development of Indonesia.

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Authors' biographies Syifa Asatyas is a Higher Degree Research (HDR) candidate in the School of Engineering and Technology at UNSW Canberra; Kate Wilson is an Associate Professor in the School of Engineering and Technology at UNSW Canberra; Zlatko Jovanoski is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Science at UNSW Canberra

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