Graduates Insights: Development of Digital and Computational Competences in Physics and Mathematics Study Programs at University of Maribor

The Information Era and technological advancements have led to a growing demand for a workforce with adequate digital competences. Despite numerous initiatives aimed at researching digital competences, as well as assessing them among students and citizens, their integration into formal education remains incomplete. A significant gap persists between the digital and computational skills developed through formal education and the demands of the labor market. This study examines the extent to which graduates evaluate the digital and computational competences they acquired during their higher education studies. The research focuses on two study programs at the University of Maribor: Physics and Mathematics, including pedagogical programs that directly influence the competencies graduates later bring to schools as educators. Using a questionnaire comprising both closed and open-ended questions, we investigate the areas in which graduates feel confident about their digital and computational competencies in relation to the requirements of their current professional or academic careers. The results show that graduates are generally satisfied with the competences they acquired but express a preference for more practical experience and applied knowledge. Based on the findings, we provide recommendations for content and teaching methods that could better support the development of digital and computational competences.