scholarly journals A Study on the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic in African Universities

Author(s):  
Elijah Isanda Omwenga ◽  
Peter M. F. Mbithi ◽  
John N. Muthama ◽  
John Mwarabu Chone

This paper presents a study on how University students, lecturers, administrators and managers perceive the impacts of the of COVID-19 crisis on various aspects of University teaching and learning in Africa, and particularly in Kenya. The sudden closure of campuses as a preventive measure to community transmission shifted face-to-face classes to virtual learning modes. With a sample of 1,236 University students and staff from 18 universities in Kenya and Nigeria, the study reveals that amid the worldwide lockdown and transition to online learning, expectation by 44% of the students were met. Students were mainly concerned about issues to do with internet connectivity, computing devices and electrical power. In addition, utilising e-Learning tools and platforms for effective student engagement posed limitations of accessibility and affordability for many students. The teaching staff on the other hand were mainly concerned with access to the teaching resources, conducting online teaching, capacity to handle the online mode of teaching, devices and eContent development. The pandemic has exposed the shortcomings of the current higher education system and the need for enhanced policy formulation and implementation on digital infrastructure to adapt to the rapidly changing education ecosystem of the world. In the post-pandemic situation, the use of eLearning and virtual education may become an integral part of the higher education system. Key factors influencing students’ satisfaction with the role of their University are also identified as internet access, quality of e-content and e-content development. Policymakers, stakeholders and higher education institutions in Africa may benefit from these findings while formulating policy recommendations and strategies to support University teaching and learning during this and any future pandemics. Universities need to plan the post-pandemic education and research strategies to ensure student learning outcomes and standards of educational quality.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Yeakub Ali

Abstract: Higher education is acknowledged today as a capital investment and is of paramount importance for economic and social development of a country (Barnet, 1990). Some specialists called attention that the present higher education system employs rote memorization approach rather than critical thinking by students. It is, therefore, needed not only to relook at our pedagogy of teaching and learning principles including methods but also to revitalize the higher education system. Although Bangladesh has had a long history of university teaching, pedagogy has hardly entered the imagination of university educators. Today’s teachers are yesterday’s students, with each generation being groomed in the same cultural patterns of learning that are continually repeated without examination. Pedagogy teaches teachers how to teach, so that they may effectively teach students how to learn; it offers important training for teachers to transform students from mere parrots of information into challengers of and innovators of knowledge. Earlier public sector had monopoly in the tertiary level of education. In 1992 private sector started its function. Within a short span of time more than ninety private universities have started their action. The Emergence and the growth of the private universities in Bangladesh have taken a phenomenal shape in recent years. However, the private universities are playing an important role in spreading the opportunities of higher education in our country. But in recent years a widespread allegations were raised against PUs that some are selling certificates, easy-to-get degrees, very poor teaching qualities, poor infrastructure, high tuition fees, etc. In this context this study is an initiative to explore the education quality (EQ) of PUs that is offered by them. This paper analyses the existing pedagogy, teaching style, quality education, capability of teachers to teach students and infrastructure of the Private University of Bangladesh.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayashree Sapra ◽  
Khushboo Khosla ◽  
Garima Dungrakoti

PurposeThe impact of workplace spirituality on organizational performance has continued to draw the attention of scholars and practitioners. Despite this enhanced attention, little is known about its the impact on academic performance. Addressing this gap in research, the purpose of this study is to empirically examine the impact of spirituality at workplace on academic performance among private sector higher education faculties in Delhi NCR.Design/methodology/approachThis study outlines the existing literature on workplace spirituality and academic performance and its relationship. The scale created by Petchsawang and Duchon (2009) has been used to measure workplace spirituality, whereas academic performance of faculties was measured by the scale created by Abubakar et al. (2018). Pearson correlation and linear regression have been used to depict the degree of relation and impact of spirituality on academic performance.FindingsThis study provides evidence that by practicing workplace spirituality, the performance of higher education faculties can be positively and significantly impacted. The result reflects that in the presence of compassion, mindfulness, meaningful work and transcendence, the academic organizational performance of higher education institutes is improved as there will be an enhancement in their academic reputation, employability of the graduate students, research work, internationalization, Nobel-prized and field medals, research grant, resources, infrastructure and community services.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of this study are subject to certain limitations, which can be addressed in future studies. Only four dimensions of workplace spirituality, i.e. compassion, mindfulness, meaningful life and transcendence, are taken into consideration. Also, the impact has only be studied on academic performance of higher education institutions. The results of this study cannot be used in a generalized context as the framework of this study is based on higher education faculties in Delhi NCR.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study would be a roadmap for higher education institutions or their faculties to improve performance with the assistance of spirituality at workplace.Social implicationsRetention of academic personnel is critically necessary so that the excellence of higher education is maintained. It is the need of the hour for these educational institutions to be more focused on improving the teaching staff efficiency. This is made possible through the development of an atmosphere that installs spirituality. The empirical findings of this research will enable academics as well as managers to understand how and to what degree faculties experience spirituality at workplace and its association with different outcomes.Originality/valueIndia's higher education higher education system is the third largest in the world, next to the USA and China. India's higher education system has expanded steadily, and India has over 1,000 universities as of 2020. Workplace spirituality for academicians is under-researched and neglected by organizations. It may further benefit those interested in employment learning.


Author(s):  
Roman Y. Koshushko ◽  
Antonina M. Verhun

The study examines and analyzes the existing requirements for higher education institutions as well as academic and teaching staff of higher education institutions. The paper presents a system of university assessment indicators used to evaluate the leading world universities performance along with the chart displaying the impact of the evaluation system on its further development.


Author(s):  
Tahira Asgher ◽  
Anum Hanif

The eruption of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted every field of life. But its highly adverse effects were observed in the educational field. By taking into account the seriousness of COVID-19 at a global level, almost all the countries temporarily closed the physical education system that made especially higher education learners suffer at a higher rate. HECs of the different countries instructed teachers to shift physical education to the online learning teaching method (OLTM). Pakistani learners and teachers of Higher Education also adopted this innovative educational system but they faced some problems. So, the present study aimed to investigate the expediency of OLTM and problems related to it in the context of Pakistan’s Higher Education System through Online Questionnaires and Interviews. The findings of the study revealed that OLTM didn’t prove beneficial for Pakistani learners and teachers of higher education and they faced various physical, social, economic, and psychological problems.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 221258682110070
Author(s):  
Ka Ho Mok ◽  
Weiyan Xiong ◽  
Hamzah Nor Bin Aedy Rahman

The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has forced online teaching and learning to be the primary instruction format in higher education globally. One of the worrying concerns about online learning is whether this method is effective, specifically when compared to face-to-face classes. This descriptive quantitative study investigates how students in higher education institutions in Hong Kong evaluated their online learning experiences during the pandemic, including the factors influencing their digital learning experiences. By analysing the survey responses from 1,227 university students in Hong Kong, this study found that most of the respondents felt dissatisfied with their online learning experiences and effectiveness. Meanwhile, this study confirms that respondents’ household income level and information technology literacy affected their online learning effectiveness. Moreover, this study highlights the significant contributions of the community of inquiry, which places social presence on the promotion of a whole person development that could not be achieved when relying mainly on online learning. Findings encourage university leaders and instructors to search for multiple course delivery modes to nurture students to become caring leaders with the 21st century skills and knowledge set.


Author(s):  
A.G. Khvostov ◽  
◽  
N.R. Getaova

The article explores the concept, objectives and principle of student’s self-government in the system of modern higher education in the Russian Federation. The paper analyzes the impact of student’s self-government on the development of student’s social activity and the formation of a socially adapted personality among students, also the impact on the training of professional staff.


2021 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-51
Author(s):  
S. Bespalyy ◽  
◽  
Ye. Ifutina ◽  

Computer systems and technologies are changing our society significantly. These changes are interconnected with both social and production spheres. Innovative digital technologies have a huge impact on the labor market and professional activity, contributing to their transfer to the electronic environment. Using digital technologies, modern people set new goals and solve problems with an increasing speed of problem solving, capitalizing on the possibilities of collaborative distributed actions within networks. In this regard, new competencies of specialists are in demand. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the impact of the fourth industrial revolution on the education system and the development of skills and thinking for learning. Methods: When conducting scientific research, economic and statistical methods were used. These methods were also used in comparative analysis, as well as in assessing data and indicators of the higher education system, taking into account the impact of the fourth industrial revolution. The analytical method was used to consider the characteristics and factors influencing the development of skills and thinking for learning in modern conditions. The abstract-logical method is used to identify problems affecting the development of the labor market under the influence of digital technologies. Results and their value: The result of the study is that conclusions are drawn about the upcoming changes. Automation and digitalization are likely to lead to significant unemployment in most countries, so adaptation innovation policies are needed to help offset unemployment due to digitalization. Governments need to invest heavily in higher education as an economic development tool for their citizens. Lifelong learning should be identified as a critical element of success in the era of the fourth industrial revolution. Curricula should develop digital skills and address workforce disruptions due to automation.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Marshall

Agent-based modelling provides a mechanism by which complex social phenomena can simulated in order to identify how particular features arise from causes such as demographics, human preferences and their interaction with policy settings. The NetLogo environment has been used to implement a simulation of the New Zealand higher education system, using historical data to calibrate model settings to mirror those of the real-world system. This simulation is used to explore how the introduction of an alternative qualification and education paradigm might disrupt established patterns of education and employment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 1425-1431
Author(s):  
Andi Rahman

The current Covid-19 pandemic has had many effects on human life globally, including the implementation of education. This study aimed to obtain the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on learning outcomes in higher education. The research method used is a cross-sectional study. The data were taken from the test results at the end of the lecture, observations, and interviews. The research was conducted at the University of Muhammadiyah Lampung, IPDN Jatinangor Campus, and the Ahmad Dahlan Institute of Technology and Business, with 120 students participating. The data analysis technique used the percentage technique and cross-tabulation. The study results concluded that student learning outcomes decreased in the 2020-2021 academic year compared to the 2019-2020 academic year. The decline in learning outcomes includes knowledge, skills, and psychology. This finding has implications for the understanding of education personnel regarding online teaching and learning design during the Covid-19 pandemic.


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