scholarly journals Working Students in Higher Education: Challenges and Solutions

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 79
Author(s):  
Tumin Tumin ◽  
Ahmad Faizuddin ◽  
Firman Mansir ◽  
Halim Purnomo ◽  
Nurul Aisyah

The current study explores the experiences of working students, especially in higher learning institutions in coping with the challenges of working while studying. It is expected that the suggestions and recommendations from the study can improve working students’ experiences to be successful in both working and studying. This qualitative research investigates the experiences of working students at the International Islamic University Malaysia. Some working students were purposively chosen and interviewed to know the challenges they faced and how they overcome the problems. The findings of the current study show that the informants fully understood the concept of working while studying and considered it as a financial necessity and self-improvement. The informants exposed several challenges of working students such as time constraints and commitment to their studies. Despite the challenges, the informants considered working while studying as a motivation to further develop themselves and acquire necessary skills for better employment. This study is important as many college students are working while enrolled in higher education. They may experience time constraints managing the responsibilities of both student and worker. Thus, it is significant to understand their experiences that may affect the future of their academic studies. This study provides some implications and recommendations for working students to overcome the challenges. They include time management, commitment, discipline, and responsibility.

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 170
Author(s):  
Sharifah Azizah Haron ◽  
Anyanwu Hilary Chinedu

This study tested a section of consumer styles inventory (CSI) among Malaysian college students. Using stratified and simple random sampling, 2068 samples were collected from five higher learning institutions in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The study extracted seven factors through exploratory factor analysis from the original CSI scale which was found reliable and useful to consumer markets. Gender, age, ethnicity, family size, household income and place where a student was raised were found to have significant influence on the CSI factors. The findings will be a guide for markets facing competitive pressures by guiding them on the appropriate market segmentation. In addition, firms should focus on the influential background variables during new product designs in order to get the target markets’ preferences and balance their competitive pressures simultaneously.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Beatrice Asante Somuah

Studies have identified that women enter higher learning institutions for personal enrichment and lifelong education. In spite of these benefits, societal perception and traditional roles affect women’s participation in formal education. This qualitative study sought to explore the experiences of female students on how they deal with their lifecycle roles as they access higher education outside their home countries. The study was conducted in a Kenyan university using seven graduate international female students. These participants were purposively selected for face-to-face interviews. Content analysis was used to analyse data based on similarities and differences. It was revealed that the female faced challenges such as psychological stress, financial problems and time constraints. They managed these roles through support from family and friends as well as the use of self-motivation strategies. It was therefore recommended that interventions geared towards the needs of these female students are developed by institutions who admit international students.


Author(s):  
Wangui Patrick Mwangi ◽  
Diana Ingado

Changes in life are ever bound to take place and as a result, what was important yesterday may be obsolete tomorrow, and education is not an exception. Prior to the 21st century, necessity of changes in education had been identified by many researchers and international organizations concerned with education. This had been brought about by the fact that things were changing and education had to keep the pace. In light to this fact, this study was carried out in Eldoret town, Kenya, in order to investigate whether education was up-to-date in the 21st century. It targeted university and college graduates. It was guided by four objectives namely: the relevance of education in this century, the sufficiency, the challenges facing the education in the century and the solutions to the challenges. 300 graduates from 28 different higher learning institutions were considered and data collected using questionnaires. Purposive sampling method was employed. Data analysis was performed in R software and Microsoft Excel for both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results show that, the rate of unemployment among graduates in Eldoret stands at 56.3% (p=0.0163) and 83.4% (p<0.0001) of these unemployed graduates are seeking employment. Among the employed, 59.5% (p=0.0180) are in non-self-employment. At higher learning institutions, majority (74.3%) of the graduates feel that they only gained knowledge while only 3.7% gained both skills and knowledge. Those who don’t find higher education in the 21st century useful in preparing graduates for 21st century’s life are 93.0% (p<0.0001), which is the same as those who don’t find what they gained from higher education useful in their life. The need for reforms in higher education in 21st century for the sake of meeting modern expectations and realization of developments was supported by 98.7% (p<0.0001). 99.7% (p<0.0001) admitted to have faced challenges when studying, which is the same as those with remedies to the challenges. The conclusions are: the higher education in the 21st is not useful, sufficient and relevant for modern life, it is full of challenges and reforms are necessary to help realize developments and modern expectations, and graduates can be useful in finding solutions to the challenges. Recommendations are: the stakeholders should embrace these findings and make necessary reforms to ensure that higher education in 21st century meets the 21st century’s expectations in transforming the modern society, and more research to be done involving wider scope.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashari bin Sikor ◽  
Sapon bin Ibrahim ◽  
Mohamad Hisyam bin Mohd Hashim ◽  
Ahmad Rizal bin Madar

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Punitha Vathi Muniandy ◽  
Abdul Jalil B.Othman ◽  
Sharir Jamaluddin

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to analyse non-native adults’ self-drive and ways that has influenced towards the development of Malay language programme in which the programme caters to their needs, expectations and self-drive in University of Malaya for Continuing Education. Methodology: This study aims to analyse non-native adults’ self-drive in an informal adult education at a higher learning institution in Malaysia using an action research method comprising 58 non-native adult learners which was implemented from January 2014 to December 2017. The evidence gathered through feedback, observation and continuous assessment. Findings: The outcome of this study reveals that strong self-drive among non-native adult learners encouraged and increased the effort towards the introduction of a Malay language programme that suits their needs and expectations. Research Limitations/Implications: It was reported that the development of new Malay programme would have been more successful and benefits more language instructors and academicians. Their involvement would provide more support and critical views in the research in order to validate the formulation of the Malay programme. Social Implications: The improvement in teaching and learning process undertaken has also accelerated adult learners’ attainment and competency in Malay language. As a result of non-native adult leaners’ excellent attainment has reinforced the Malay language educator to attract and increase the enrolment for continuing education at higher learning institutions that offer Malay programme as lifelong learning programme. Originality/Value: The study on self-drive among non-native adults and how it has influenced towards the development of a Malay programme that caters to their needs, interests and expectations is still new, and it is a first-hand study of its kind. The results will be useful for those who are involved in adult teaching and in steering Malay as Modern Foreign Language programme at higher education.


2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M Sultana

The purpose of this paper is to assess gender norms among students towards equality in higher education in Malaysia. The study was conducted in two higher learning institutions such as International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in Malaysia. A total of 300 students (77 males & 223 females) were selected as the respondents using purposive sampling method. A survey research design was employed in this study. Questionnaires were completed in a supervised setting by the research protocol. The first objective of this study was to assess student’s attitudes towards equality at higher education institutions. Results revealed that despite the majority of the respondents showed favorable attitudes towards equality; less favorable attitude towards gender equality was noted with respect on religious leadership and boys’ priority over girls in education. The study examined whether there is any difference between male and female student’s attitudes towards equality. Results showed that female students tended to have more egalitarian or non-traditional attitudes than male students towards equality. The paper analyzed the relationship between the demographic characteristics and student’s attitudes towards equality. The results revealed that the ethnicity, region of residence, father’s educational level have positive associations with student’s attitudes towards equality. Keywords-Equality, Inequality, Gender norms, Traditional, Non-traditional, Decision making


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Keneilwe Molosi-France ◽  
Sinfree Makoni

With the realisation that institutions of higher learning may play a powerful role in transforming the world, research partnerships between institutions in the Global South and North have gained popularity. These partnerships are meant to empower and strengthen the contribution of higher learning institutions and bridge the North/South knowledge divide. Considering the limited access to research resources in the Global South, it is anticipated that these partnerships will create research opportunities for scholars. However, while it can be acknowledged that the research partnerships can be of benefit to African institutions and economy, there are practical challenges that limit the success of most research partnerships. Using the authors’s experience this article explores and describes issues that surround research collaborations between institutions of higher learning in the Global South and North.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 221-235
Author(s):  
Abdul Rashid Abdul Aziz ◽  
Nor Hamizah Ab Razak ◽  
Nathratul Ayeshah Zulkifli ◽  
Mohamad Isa Amat ◽  
Mohd Zaini Othman ◽  
...  

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that strike Malaysia and the rest of the world has given a huge variety of implications especially in the aspect of mental health. Students are no exception in dealing with it. It requires every student to adapt to the new norms that exist in teaching and learning (T&L) system. Thus, this study aims to examine the coping strategies and stress management that can be applied by students in dealing with stress during the pandemic. To achieve this goal a systematic search was conducted, and a simple thematic analysis approach was used to identify the coping strategies among students at higher learning institutions as discussed by previous researchers on similar topics from three search engines on (1) Scopus, (2) Social Science Citation Index (SSCI), and (3) Science Direct from 2015 to 2021 to determine the latest evidence and observations. A literature review of 10 relevant studies was rigorously analysed to get understanding of coping strategies and stress management amongst students at higher learning institutions. The findings show that there are four critical factors in stress management including (1) time management, (2) internet access issues, (2) academic workload and (4) adaptation to new norms. In addition, there are three types of coping strategies that students can do in coping with stress. Research pertaining to these issues are still lacking. This study is seen to be a new platform and guidelines especially for educational institutions to ensure that every student is equipped with stress management skills that can lead to personal well -being.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
Ashwaq Rushud Al Rushud

This study explores the organisational and individual factors that influence knowledge sharing behaviour among UK universities&rsquo; academics. Furthermore, the research also aims to provide recommendations on how knowledge sharing can be promoted. Few studies have been conducted to explore Knowledge Sharing behaviour in the context of higher education institutions. This research sheds light on the factors that influence knowledge sharing behaviour in higher learning institutions. Data for this research were collected from sixteen academics from four UK universities using semi-structured interviews and snowball sampling technique. The interview data was thematically analysed using Nvivo12 software. The interviews reveal that there is a positive attitude among academics toward knowledge sharing. Furthermore, there are several factors (organisational and individual) affecting knowledge sharing behaviour, such as unsupportive leadership, lack of facilities and lack of an effective rewards system.


Author(s):  
Mohd Faiz Hilmi

Innovative higher learning institutions are the main factors in determining the nations success and well-being. However, fostering innovative human capital at higher education level is very challenging. In order to encourage the creation and development of a society that embraces a culture of creativity and innovation for the nations success and well being, there should be a coordinated innovation ecosystem capable of moving the nation towards an innovative society. Innovation ecosphere in Malaysian higher education institutions can be developed based on several parameters that act as enablers to its formation. Therefore, this study explores the identifies seven enablers of an innovative environment in Malaysian tertiary education institutions


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