Polycultural competence clusters in higher education: creating an outcomes-based competence profile

Nowadays clusters are recognized as an important instrument for promoting industrial development, innovation, competitiveness and growth. Although primarily driven by the efforts made by private companies and individuals, clusters are influenced by governments and other public institutions at national and regional levels. An educational cluster is a set of interrelated vocational education institutions of various levels that are united by industry with each other and are connected by partnership with industry enterprises. The principles of the functioning of the educational cluster is a single educational, scientific and innovation process in conjunction with the economy and the social sphere; the continuity of the educational process and the relationship of educational programs at various levels; organizational, educational and methodical, scientific and informational interaction between all subjects of the cluster. This article attempts to develop and describe a cluster of polycultural competences of university students by means of creating an applied profile of competences. The purpose of this study is to describe polycultural competences and to define the profile of applied competences in form of a cluster of polycultural competencies (PCC). The authors consider clusters of polycultural competences as an integral part of the educational campus within the concept framework of Shadrinsk State Pedagogical University. To determine the essence of the concept of a cluster of polycultural competences, theoretical, empirical, observational, and diagnostic methods were implemented, such as: a review of scientific literature, a compilation of best practices, observation, statistical methods, etc. As a result, a cluster of polycultural competences was defined as a set of competences. The authors analyzed the programs of partner universities and organized international webinars and internships for bachelors and masters abroad and developed online courses “foreign language for undergraduate students and masters”. Experimental data obtained during the implementation of cluster training show the effectiveness of the formation of students' polycultural competencies.