scholarly journals DETERMINANTS PSYCHOSOCIAUX ET ABANDON SCOLAIRE DES ETUDIANTS INSCRITS DANS LES ETABLISSEMENTS FACULTAIRES DE L’UNIVERSITE DE NGAOUNDERE, CAMEROUN / PSYCHOSOCIAL DETERMINANTS AND DROP-OUT OF REGISTERED STUDENTS IN OPTIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NGAOUNDERE, CAMEROUN

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Tchouata Foudjio ◽  
Guy Ari Hamadou

<p>Les établissements facultaires classiques des Universités camerounaises connaissent depuis plusieurs années, le phénomène d’abandon des études qui touche les étudiants inscrits au premier cycle universitaire. Selon le rapport de Delpouve et Breillat (2010) réalisé à l’Université de Yaoundé 1, près de 31% d’étudiants abandonnent les études en première année. L’objectif de cette étude est d’examiner l’impact des déterminants psychosociaux sur l’abandon scolaire des étudiants au sein des facultés universitaires. Notre hypothèse d’étude stipule que l’abandon scolaire des étudiants, relève davantage du processuel que de l’événementiel. C’est à dire qu’il est influencé par les déterminants psychologiques et/ou sociaux. Cette hypothèse a été vérifiée sur la base des données recueillies à l’aide d’un questionnaire administré auprès de 149 anciens étudiant(e)s ayant abandonné au premier cycle d’études à l’Université de Ngaoundéré. Les résultats obtenus sont en faveur d’une validation de l’hypothèse de départ. Il existe donc une corrélation significative et positive entre les déterminants psychosociaux et l’abandon scolaires des étudiants inscrits dans les établissements facultaires de l’Université de Ngaoundéré. Des entretiens semi-directifs ont été menés auprès de 15 étudiants dans le but d’approfondir la compréhension du phénomène d’abandon des études observé à l’Université. </p><p> </p><p>The traditional faculty establishments of Cameroonian universities have known for several years the phenomenon of dropping out of studies affecting students enrolled in the first cycle of university. According to the report by Delpouve and Breillat (2010) carried out at the University of Yaoundé 1, nearly 31% of students drop out of studies in the first year. The objective of this study is to examine the impact of psychosocial determinants on the dropout of students in university faculties. Our study hypothesis stipulates that students dropping out of school is more a process than an event. That is to say, it is influenced by psychological and / or social determinants. This hypothesis was checked on the basis of the data using a questionnaire administered to 149 former students who dropped out in the first cycle of studies at the University of Ngaoundéré. The results obtained are in favor of a validation of the initial hypothesis. There is therefore a significant and positive correlation between psychosocial determinants and the school dropout of students enrolled in faculty establishments of the University of Ngaoundéré. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 students with the aim of deepening the understanding of the phenomenon of dropping out of studies observed at the university.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0856/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Rahmat Budiman

This paper presents a study that examined the reasons for dropping out of a distance language learning programmeoffered by an open university in Indonesia. A purposive sample of students who registered for online English writingcourses at the university was used. To gain a better understanding of the issues, the study also sought informationfrom online tutors. A longitudinal research design employing qualitative research method was used over four stagesof data collection. Open-ended question surveys were adopted to gain an understanding of underlying reasons forpersisting or discontinuing their studies. Semi-structured interviews were conducted at each stage to obtain deeperinformation from the students and the online tutors. The data was analysed with NVivo version 10. The findings ofthe open-ended question surveys and the interviews indicated that the major reasons that led the students to drop outwere lack of basic skills in English, unmet expectations, feelings of isolation, and the inability to balance work,family, and study responsibilities. The study offers a theoretical framework to describe the factors related to studentdropout from a distance language learning programme. This study also offers models of interaction, teaching andlearning in distance language learning to minimise the dropout rate.


Autism ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 1664-1675
Author(s):  
Eilidh Cage ◽  
Jack Howes

Autistic people are at high risk of dropping out of university, but little research has examined this issue. Fourteen autistic people participated in semi-structured interviews examining their experiences at university and the reasons they had dropped out. Thematic analysis identified patterns in participants’ responses. Themes were categorised as systemic issues, challenges within university or life after dropping out. Systemic issues centred around accessing diagnosis, autism understanding, mental health and outsider status. Challenges at university included culture shock, becoming disengaged, lack of proactive support and perceived inevitability of dropping out. Finally, life after dropping out was characterised by processing of trauma and shame, and realisation of doing ‘what’s right for you’. Together, these themes suggest that many improvements could be made at universities, such as more proactive support and creating more accessible environments. Societal-level change is also needed to improve educational opportunities for autistic people. Lay abstract Many autistic people now go to university, but many of them also drop out of their studies. In fact, it is believed that autistic people are at higher risk of dropping out, but little research has been done to understand why this is happening. This research used interviews to take an in-depth look at 14 autistic people’s experiences of dropping out of university. All the things the participants talked about were examined closely by the researchers who identified common themes in what the participants discussed. The first set of themes captured some overarching issues faced by autistic people, such as difficulties with getting diagnosed, a lack of autism understanding, mental health challenges and feeling like an outsider. The next themes were organised within challenges faced at university, including a feeling of culture shock, becoming disengaged from one’s studies, a lack of proactive support from their university and a feeling that dropping out became inevitable. Finally, there were themes about life after dropping out, which involved a sense that the experience at university had been traumatic and shameful, but they believed people had to do what is right for them. All of these themes suggest that universities need to be better at supporting autistic people when they first come to university, and that they should actively offer clear support throughout and try and make the university environment more accessible for everyone, to ensure more autistic people have a positive university experience.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
William E. Donald ◽  
Melanie J. Ashleigh ◽  
Yehuda Baruch

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to understand how universities and organizations have responded to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of preparing university students and recent graduates to enter the global labor market, using the accounting, banking and finance sector as a case study. The two research questions are (1) How can university career services and organizations work individually and collaboratively to best develop early career talent following the COVID-19 pandemic? (2) What are the challenges that university career services and organizations face when working individually or collaboratively to develop early career talent following the COVID-19 pandemic?Design/methodology/approachThe data for thematic analysis comes from 36 semi-structured interviews with career advisors (CAs) (n = 19) and graduate recruiters (GRs) (n = 17).FindingsThis study offers some of the first findings on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to ensure that organizational behavior and career theory literature reflect the dramatically changing landscape in the university-to-work transition.Originality/valueTheoretically, our contribution comes from applying a framework of the career construction theory (CTT) within the context of a career ecosystem to understand the views of the intermediary, meso-level actors, which, to date, have lacked representation within career literature. Practically, we provide an insightful bridge between universities and organizations, offering opportunities for greater collaboration, and enhanced outcomes for all stakeholders.


2007 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.A. Bekessy ◽  
K. Samson ◽  
R.E. Clarkson

PurposeThis paper aims to assess the impact and value of non‐binding agreements or declarations in achieving sustainability in universities.Design/methodology/approachA case study of Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University is presented, analysing the reasons for lack of progress towards sustainability and evaluating best ways forward. Using a timeline and analysis of historical records for the 12 years since RMIT first engaged in the sustainability agenda, major trends in the process of implementing policies are identified. Secondly, 15 semi‐structured interviews with university leaders and key sustainability stakeholders from across the university are analysed to provide insight into how and why the university has failed to achieve sustainability.FindingsNew implications for successfully achieving sustainability arise from these findings. Accountability is a key issue, as RMIT appears to reap benefits from being signatory to declarations without achieving genuine progress. To ensure that declarations are more than simply greenwash, universities must open themselves up to scrutiny of progress to determine whether commitments have been honoured.Practical implicationsRelying on small‐scale “club” activities establishing demonstrations and raising awareness is unlikely to lead to permanent change. The evidence of RMIT's engagement with sustainability shows that, for example, even when successful pilot studies are conducted, these initiatives may do little to affect the mainstream practices of a university unless certain conditions exist. Furthermore, given the on‐paper commitments institutions have made, and the role of the university in society, small‐scale and gradual changes in university practice are a far from adequate response to the urgent sustainability imperative.Originality/valueThe initial engagement of RMIT University with the sustainability agenda 12 years ago marked it as a world leader in sustainability best‐practice. Analysing how and why such a disappointing lack of action has resulted from such promising beginnings provides insight into future directions for implementing sustainability in universities. The paper argues that considering the key responsibility of universities in leading the sustainability agenda, a more systemic and serious response is required.


2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-201
Author(s):  
Corinne Farneti ◽  
Denise Ditch

This case study examines the impact of an unexpected recreational facility closure. The university studied is a small Division I school, located in a rural area. Semi-structured interviews were used to elicit data from 22 people representing various groups around campus. Using grounded theory, the researchers coded statements and categories, resulting in six themes: socialization, performance, adaptability, management, communication and perception, and student satisfaction. The study includes an overview of the university and recreational culture, a description of the fieldhouse roof collapse, interview methods and study limitations, an analysis of stakeholder interviews, and suggestions for how to best handle a similar scenario.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 591-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliane Bonnal ◽  
Pascal Favard ◽  
Kady Marie-Danielle Sorho-Body

Purpose This paper is the first of its kind to look at first-year undergraduates in France. The purpose of this paper is to measure the impact of holding down a job on the probability of students dropping out of higher education or passing their first year. Design/methodology/approach Given the existence of relevant unobserved explanatory variables, probit models with two simultaneous equations have been estimated. The first equation will enable us to explain paid employment or working hours, and the second academic outcomes that allow for dropout. Findings The results show that being employed means students are more likely to drop out during their first year and less likely to pass. The latter finding is comparable with results for subsequent academic years although the impact is greater for first-year undergraduates. The more intensive the work, the greater the adverse effects of employment. Originality/value By refining the research, this negative impact of employment is not verified for all the student profiles. For some of them, e.g., those with honours at the secondary bachelor, employment does not harm their academic results.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 346-364
Author(s):  
Bob Maseko ◽  
Foster Gondwe ◽  
Symon Winiko ◽  
Symon Chiziwa

This paper explores faculty members’ concerns and level of preparedness for open and distance learning (ODL) at the University of Malawi’s School of Education during the recent Covid-19 pandemic within a context that considers ODL as a means of mitigating the impact of the pandemic on teaching and learning. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with four experienced academic leaders within the school of education. The Concerns Based Adoption Model (CBAM), particularly stages of concerns, served as a framework to understand the faculty’s concerns about the implementation of ODL initiatives. Inductive and deductive analysis approaches were used to analyse the interview transcripts to identify emerging themes. Deductive analysis revealed that faculty members expressed several concerns such as awareness, informational, as well as consequences concerns as they talked about their feelings and attitudes towards the implementation of ODL. Inductive analysis on the other hand revealed that faculty members’ perceptions such as minimal preparation, negative orientations, and lack of policy awareness hamper the implementation of ODL. These findings underscore the importance of members’ orientation change to ensure effective implementation of ODL in contexts like the institution under study. We discuss these and propose that professional development could help members develop positive attitudes towards ODL.


Author(s):  
Joan Flaherty ◽  
Bruce G McAdams ◽  
Joshua E LeBlanc

Anecdotal evidence suggests that post-secondary institutions in Canada and beyond are experimenting with the practice of substituting conventional, discipline-centred course titles with more creatively phrased, learner-centred titles. However, we could find no scholarly research to affirm, challenge or guide this practice. This study represents a preliminary foray into that research. We surveyed 368 business undergraduate and graduate students at a mid-sized Canadian university to address, and explore the implications of, this question: "Does a catchy course title elicit more student interest than its conventional counterpart?" Our findings provide some, but not unqualified, support for the practice of using catchy course titles as a way of attracting student interest. We found the most significant influence on student preference toward conventional or catchy course titles to be year of registration (first year and fourth year students showed the most interest in catchy course titles; graduate students and those registered in second and third year showed a preference for conventional course titles). Implications regarding marketing and pedagogy are discussed, as is the need for further research. Des preuves non scientifiques sembleraient suggérer que les établissements d’enseignement supérieur du Canada et au-delà sont en train d’essayer de substituer les titres de cours conventionnels centrés sur la discipline par des titres centrés sur l’apprenant et formulés de façon plus créatrice. Toutefois, nous n’avons trouvé aucune recherche savante qui pourrait affirmer, mettre au défi ou guider cette pratique. Cette étude représente une expérience préliminaire dans cette recherche. Nous avons fait un sondage auprès de 368 étudiants de premier cycle et de cycles supérieurs en administration des affaires dans une université canadienne de taille moyenne afin d’explorer les implications de la question suivante : « Est-ce qu’un titre de cours accrocheur attire davantage l’intérêt des étudiants qu’un titre plus conventionnel? » Nos résultats présentent un certain soutien non qualifié à cette pratique qui consiste à utiliser des titres de cours accrocheurs dans le but d’attirer l’intérêt des étudiants. Nous avons trouvé que l’influence la plus significative sur la préférence des étudiants entre les titres conventionnels et les titres accrocheurs était l’année d’inscription (les étudiants de première et de quatrième année étaient davantage attirés par les titres de cours accrocheurs; les étudiants des cycles supérieurs et ceux inscrits en deuxième et troisième année semblaient préférer les titres de cours conventionnels). Les implications en matière de marketing et de pédagogie sont discutées, ainsi que la nécessité de faire des recherches plus avancées sur la question.


2020 ◽  
pp. 206-213
Author(s):  
E.K. Gilfanova ◽  
T.B. Gorbatenko ◽  
O.Yu. Sharova

The article considers the possibility of using non-traditional recreational facilities in the educational process with university students. The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of the developed methodology for fitball gymnastics and fitness yoga on the health level of students. To achieve the goal, the following tasks were set: theoretically substantiate the proposed methodology of classes; identify and conduct a comparative analysis of adaptive potential according to the method of R.M. Baevsky and the level of the functional state of first-year students during an experimental study. Scientific novelty lies in the expansion of theoretical and practical approaches to physical education at the university. The positive impact of the proposed teaching methods on the level of functional readiness of first-year students is substantiated and experimentally proved. To improve the methodology, a set of methods was used: analysis of scientific and methodological literature, the method of pedagogical research, pedagogical experiment, methods of mathematical statistics.


2020 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahbobeh Mohammadi ◽  
Mehdi Bagheri ◽  
Parivash Jafari ◽  
Leila Bazrafkan

Background: Accountability in the community is one of the main missions of the medical school. Objectives: The current study aimed at explaining the motivational facilitators and challenges in medical students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, for social accountability based on their experiences. Methods: The current study using semi-structured interviews was conducted on 28 individuals, 16 of whom were students and 12 professors and managers of the medical school. Purposeful sampling was used up to saturation. Data were analyzed using the content analysis method. First, conceptual codes were extracted and then grouped into several main themes. Selected concepts or main themes included facilitators, inhibitors, or challengers. Results: Selected concepts or main themes included facilitating factors and educational challenges for the social accountability of the students. The facilitators included informed choice, personality and moral commitment, content and process of motivation, promotion of community-based learning in the university, and the role of professors in motivation. The inhibitors or challenges included traditional routines, ineffective evaluations, manners of meeting the students’ needs, the lack of educational facilities, and the impact of the increased number of students on the quality of education. Conclusions: According to the current study findings, the conditions and facilities should be shared among medical education programs to provide a supportive environment for the students, and take a positive and effective step toward motivating them to improve their accountability.


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