Factors influencing curriculum implementation in accredited private universities in Botswana

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Norman Rudhumbu ◽  
E.C. (Elize) Du Plessis

PurposeThe study investigated factors influencing how the curriculum is implemented in accredited private higher education institutions (PHEIs) in Botswana.Design/methodology/approachThe study investigated factors influencing curriculum implementation in accredited private universities (PUs) operating in a highly regulated higher education environment in Botswana. A total of six PUs which have been operating in Botswana for at least five years were purposively selected for the study. The mixed methods approach was used in the study. From the six PUs, a sample of 306 lecturers was selected from a population of 1,500 lecturers using stratified random sampling strategy for the quantitative phase of the study, and 25 academic middle managers (AMMs) were also selected from a population of 273 academic middle managers using purposive sampling strategy for the qualitative phase. A structured questionnaire and a semi-structured interview guide were used for data collection. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to test the reliability and validity of the measurements. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, one-way ANOVA and regression analysis were used for quantitative data analysis, while a meta-aggregative approach was used for analysing qualitative data. Results showed that educational level, characteristics of the curriculum, of the institution and of the external environment had a significant influence on how curriculum is implemented in PUs in Botswana, while gender, age and years of teaching experience did not have a significant influence. These results have implications on educational policy formulation by regulatory authorities as well as practice in universities for the purpose of enhancing curriculum implementation.FindingsResults showed that educational level, characteristics of the curriculum, of the institution and of the external environment had a significant influence on how the curriculum is implemented in PUs in Botswana, while gender, age and years of teaching experience did not have a significant influence.Research limitations/implicationsData were collected from lecturers in accredited private higher education institutions in Botswana only which limited the scope of insight into challenges facing accredited private institutions. Future research needs to expand the scope and consider private both private and public higher education institutions in Botswana and beyond so that more insight on the factors affecting curriculum implementation in higher education institutions can be established and appropriate policies and processes could be put in place for effective curriculum implementation.Practical implicationsThe study provides insight into challenges affecting curriculum implementation in higher education institutions and how regulatory authorities, institutional authorities and lecturers can contribute to effective curriculum implementation in these institutions.Social implicationsThe study offers an opportunity for higher education institutions to implement the curriculum in a manner that satisfies its primary customers who are the students by taking cognizance of and satisfying factors that contribute to effective curriculum implementation.Originality/valueThere is no study known to the researcher that has been conducted on factors affecting curriculum implementation in accredited private universities in Botswana. This study, therefore, is an eye-opener on such factors and what actions regulatory authorities, institutional management and lecturers should take to promote effective implementation of the curriculum in higher education institutions in Botswana.

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn Chiyevo Garwe

Purpose – It is considered a mystery by many people that, despite charging significantly higher fees when compared to public institutions, research has shown an increase in the demand and enrolments at private higher education institutions. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the critical factors considered by students when deciding to make private higher education institutions their institution of choice. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses a case study approach and draws data from all the six private higher education institutions in Zimbabwe. Self-administered questionnaires were given to students representing at least 5 per cent of the student enrolment and representing all gender, study disciplines and levels of study from each university. Findings – Irrespective of gender, six main factors influencing student choice were identified to be, in order of priority: access and opportunity; promotional information and marketing; reference or influence by others; quality of teaching and learning; fees and cost structure, and finally academic reputation and recognition. Research limitations/implications – The research was focused on a case study of Zimbabwe. Practical implications – The study has implications on the way private higher education institutions market, manage and sustain the quality of educational provision. The study therefore provides private institutions with useful and practical insights on what students want in their institution of choice. This will assist these institutions in strategising in order to sustain or gain competitive advantage and to maximise on the increasing demand for private education. Implications to government and public institutions are also given. Social implications – The study recognises the critical role played by private universities in improving access and recommends African Governments who face financial and resource constraints to fund and expand public universities to encourage private higher education as a meaningful and viable way to improve access and provide higher education opportunities to potential students. Originality/value – The study contributes to the current dearth of literature on factors influencing student choice to study with private institutions.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Mee Thien ◽  
Mi-Chelle Leong ◽  
Fei Ping Por

PurposeThis study aims to examine the relationship between undergraduates' course experience and their deep learning approach and to identify areas of improvement to facilitate students' deep learning in the private higher education context.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 844 Malaysian undergraduate students who studied in six private higher education institutions (HEIs) in Penang and Selangor. This study used partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) for data analysis.FindingsThe findings revealed that good teaching and appropriate assessment have no significant relationship with deep learning. Generic skills, clear goals and standards, appropriate workload and emphasis on independence are positively related to deep learning. Generic skills and emphasis on independence are two domains that deserve attention to enhance deep learning among undergraduates.Practical implicationsLecturers need to focus on to the cultivation of generic skills to facilitate students' deep learning. Student autonomy and student-centred teaching approaches should be empowered and prioritised in teaching and learning.Originality/valueThe current study has its originality in providing empirical findings to inform the significant relationship between dimensions of course experience and deep learning in Malaysian private HEIs. Besides, it also identifies the areas of improvement concerning teaching and learning at the private HEIs using importance-performance matrix analysis (IPMA) in a non-Western context.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 465-492
Author(s):  
Azilah Anis ◽  
Rafikul Islam

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a hierarchical model to rank the challenges faced by the private Malaysian higher education institutions (HEIs) in the provision of quality education and subsequently their corresponding critical success factors (CSFs) to address those challenges. Design/methodology/approach A sequential mix method was adopted in this study. Semi-structured interviews with 29 participants were initially conducted to identify the challenges and CSFs. This was followed by a questionnaire survey involving 158 respondents to prioritise the identified findings. Thematic analysis was conducted in the qualitative stage, uncovering the challenges and their corresponding CSFs. Data for both stages were accumulated from internal and external stakeholders of Malaysian private HEIs. Finally, the four stages of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) were applied to rank the challenges and CSFs. Findings The qualitative stage identified eight challenges, i.e. “academics”, “facilities”, “students”, “programmes and curriculum”, “competition”, “accreditation”, “finance” and “research” together with their corresponding CSFs. The AHP enables the ranking of these challenges. “Finance” has been found to be the most crucial challenge and “high competency in managing the institution’s finance” as the most important CSF to address this challenge. Research limitations/implications As the study restricted its focus on Malaysian private HEIs, the results may not be generalised for public HEIs and foreign private HEIs operating in Malaysia. Originality/value The hierarchical model developed in this study is deemed important for implementation to resolve the prioritised challenges. It spells out the specific areas in which the resources of Malaysian private HEIs need to be prudently disbursed and properly managed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abu Rashed Osman ◽  
Ruswiati Surya Saputra

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between service quality, program quality, institutional image and student satisfaction in the context of higher education. Additionally, the study attempts to describe the mediating impact of institutional image between service quality, program quality and student satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach The structural equation modeling was used to analyze the influence of mediating variable and hypotheses testing. The population of this study was fourth-year business students of nine “grade one” private universities in Bangladesh. Data (n = 310) were gathered from students pursuing studies at different private universities in Bangladesh. Findings The findings of this study revealed that image occupied full mediation role between service quality and student satisfaction. Furthermore, it also disclosed that the direct path of service quality and student satisfaction was not statistically significant. Practical implications These unique findings imply that academic authorities should nurture the institutional image and program quality rigorously to enhance student satisfaction. The findings of this study would benefit both practitioners and academics, especially in the perspective of Bangladesh private higher education. Originality/value Past researchers have examined the direct affiliation between service quality and student satisfaction. Hence, there is a deficiency of indirect link between service quality and student satisfaction. This study has incorporated image as a mediating variable to fulfill the deficiency in higher education.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1249-1267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zulkaif Ahmed Saqib ◽  
Qingyu Zhang ◽  
Jin Ou ◽  
Khubaib Ahmad Saqib ◽  
Salman Majeed ◽  
...  

Purpose This study aims to determine the current state of implementation and effectiveness of education for sustainable development (ESD) in Pakistani higher education institutions (HEIs) using students’ and teachers’ perceptions of sustainability. Design/methodology/approach A survey on teachers and students was conducted in public and private universities in Punjab, Pakistan. Data from 1,915 students and 120 teachers were collected through semi-structured questionnaires implemented during face-to-face interviews. Students were asked to rank social, environmental and economic indicators of sustainability consciousness (SC) on a five-point Likert scale. Structural equation model and regression model are used to analyze the data. The perceptions of students and teachers were assessed from their knowledge of sustainability. Findings The occurrence of ESD in Pakistani HEIs is low and teachers have inadequate knowledge of sustainability. The holistic approach to ESD has a more pronounced effect on students’ SC as compared to the pluralistic approach to ESD. Also, there is a correlation between the students’ grades/class and the effectiveness of ESD. There is a need to pay more attention to implement ESD for undergraduate students in Pakistani HEIs. Originality/value The study stands out for using cross-sectional data from public and private universities of Pakistan. Furthermore, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study in Pakistan which attempts to investigate the effectiveness of ESD in terms of students’ SC.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 281-292
Author(s):  
Mochammad Rozikin ◽  
◽  
Mohamad Sofyan ◽  
Bambang Slamet Riyadi ◽  
Bambang Supriyono

Research on this journal ontology that many private higher education institutions in Jakarta cover the impact of the policies of the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education of the Republic of Indonesia as public officials to make and issue regulations that are very burdensome for the management of private higher education institutions. The purpose of this research is to criticize for improvement to the government of the Republic of Indonesia. This research used a qualitative method, while the research object was private universities in Jakarta that lack resources. The research subjects were resource persons who were aware of the constraints of the bankruptcy of private universities in Jakarta. The results of the study show that it has been proven that the state, in this case, the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education of the Republic of Indonesia, makes and issues regulations that are very detrimental to the management of private higher education which is minimal in resources. The suggestion from this research shows that the government, by the constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, must be able to provide resource assistance efforts for private universities that are deficient.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
maryani yusuf

A researcher is said to be productive after publishing their findings. The analysis of the Science and Technology Index portal, called SINTA, shows the productivity of researches of private higher education institutions lecturers in Kopertis Region XII Maluku and North Maluku is still very low. The ranking of private higher education institutions in Kopertis Region XII compared with other universities in Indonesia further strengthens the opinion. This research aimed to determine the factors influencing the research productivity of private higher education institutions lecturers in Kopertis Region XII. The method used was an online survey on 155 samples of lecturers in Maluku and North Maluku. The data obtained were analyzed statistically descriptive. The results showed that research productivity is influenced by individual and institutional factors. Individually, the biggest driving factor is the perception of the function and benefits of research for human life, while the smallest one is the desires to be famous and financial benefits. The biggest inhibiting factor is the limited cost of research and publication, while the smallest is the motivation to research and publish. Institutionally, library facilities are deemed inadequate, thus contributing less to the increase of research productivity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 825-845 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yehuda Baruch ◽  
A. Uday Bhaskar ◽  
Bijaya Mishra

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a career-orientation and employability-focused model in the Indian context in order to understand: factors influencing employability of graduates factors influencing expected salary gain. Design/methodology/approach The researchers adopted a quantitative method using a two-wave survey with a sample of MBA graduates from two prominent business schools in India. The total sample size for Wave I was 250, while for Wave II it was 161. The model was tested via hierarchical regression with MBA contribution as a moderator. Findings Results indicate the relevance of protean career orientation (PCO) to reaching career outcomes such as employability, with MBA contribution as a moderator. Practical implications The study provides a new perspective that would enhance graduates’ employability. This makes it relevant for both individuals and higher education institutions as it will help both individuals and higher education institutions to attain competitiveness at the national level. Originality/value The career theory was extended to the diverse socio-cultural and economic context of India, representing the BRICS economy.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
maryani yusuf

Abstract: A researcher is said to be productive after publishing their findings. The analysis of the Science andTechnology Index portal, called SINTA, shows the productivity of researches of private higher educationinstitutions lecturers in Kopertis Region XII Maluku and North Maluku is still very low. The ranking ofprivate higher education institutions in Kopertis Region XII compared with other universities in Indonesiafurther strengthens the opinion. This research aimed to determine the factors influencing the researchproductivity of private higher education institutions lecturers in Kopertis Region XII. The method used wasan online survey on 155 samples of lecturers in Maluku and North Maluku. The data obtained wereanalyzed statistically descriptive. The results showed that research productivity is influenced by individualand institutional factors. Individually, the biggest driving factor is the perception of the function andbenefits of research for human life, while the smallest one is the desires to be famous and financial benefits.The biggest inhibiting factor is the limited cost of research and publication, while the smallest is themotivation to research and publish. Institutionally, library facilities are deemed inadequate, thuscontributing less to the increase of research productivity.


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