**7. Collaborative strategies for the future of STEM education and TVET**

The importance attached to STEM Education in Nigeria is attracting collaborations. Lawal [12] was emphatic on the benefits of collaboration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, and TVET to the development of Nigeria. Collaborative strategies can take the following forms:

Exchange programmes: These include students' exchange programmes for 1 year internship between STEM and TVET students/institutions globally; instructors' exchange programmes through sabbatical leave, adjuncts and visiting teachers and lecturers; direct training of students in advanced economies through Federal and State Governments' sponsors.

#### **7.1 Research collaboration in topical issues in STEM and TVET**

The authors' collaboration to enhance published works as good sources of content that lecturers in STEM Education and TVET can use and enrich content delivery; institutions' collaboration in research among authors can be across institutions within a country. Lathabai et al. [17] are of the opinion that institutions should shift from what they call trust-based funding to performance-based funding. Of course, this implies that funds made available would be put to proper use. Again, Tim and Leuprecht [18] recognised the globalising world and the need for cross-border collaborations. Also, Yao [19] noted that international collaborative research involves cross-country teams that share research interests, conduct research and promote research results to advance knowledge and promote positive shifts in practice. These are lessons that institutions offering STEM Education and TVET need to enhance their collaborative mechanisms to enhance economic and sustainable development.

