Challenges Faced by Postgraduate Students: A Case Study of a Private University in Pakistan (original) (raw)

Strategies of Postgraduate Students in Completing Studies: A Qualitative Analysis

Abdul Munir, 2020

This study examines the strategies of postgraduate students in completing their studies at the stipulated time by the university. There are a number of students who are unable to complete their studies and are at risk of being expelled from university. This study uses qualitative methods. Interviews are the main elements to obtain data and information of respondents. Respondents consisted of five postgraduate students. Qualitative interview data were collected and analyzed descriptively. The results of the study found that students' strategies are meeting the supervisors frequently, students are very committed to thesis writing and parents often provide moral support to students is an effective strategy. In addition, students with sufficient money are an important strategy for postgraduate students to complete their studies within the period set by the university. The results of this study are beneficial tothesis supervisors, lecturers and university support staff to provide moral support for students to graduate within the stipulated period.

An analysis of Situational Barriers Affecting Postgraduate Students in Private Universities in Kenya

2021

This study investigated situational challenges affecting postgraduate students in a private university in Kenya. It was motivated by the low completion rates in postgraduate studies, with many students completing their studies far beyond the stipulated time period. While many obstacles may hinder postgraduate student progress in their studies, it was found necessary to investigate situational challenges that could hinder students’ progress. The study utilised a survey design. Using a sample of 20 postgraduate students, a survey was conducted using a questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS. Frequencies and percentages were the statistics used to make related findings and interpretation. It was found that students experienced work-related challenges, and distance to consult supervisors were the greatest challenges. However, students reported high self-confidence that they could complete their studies on time and possessed adequate proposal/thesis writing skills. It was theref...

An analysis of Situational Barriers Affecting Postgraduate Students in Private Universities in Kenya Authors

Editon Publishers, 2021

This study investigated situational challenges affecting postgraduate students in a private university in Kenya. It was motivated by the low completion rates in postgraduate studies, with many students completing their studies far beyond the stipulated time period. While many obstacles may hinder postgraduate student progress in their studies, it was found necessary to investigate situational challenges that could hinder students' progress. The study utilised a survey design. Using a sample of 20 postgraduate students, a survey was conducted using a questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS. Frequencies and percentages were the statistics used to make related findings and interpretation. It was found that students experienced work-related challenges, and distance to consult supervisors were the greatest challenges. However, students reported high self-confidence that they could complete their studies on time and possessed adequate proposal/thesis writing skills. It was therefore concluded that student counselling services be provided by the institution to adequately guide the students in balancing work and studies. Online supervisory platforms should also be provided to address the time that students took to travel to meet with their supervisors.

Academic Challenges of Turkish International Students in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study

PEOPLE: International Journal of Social Sciences

Studying abroad is quite interesting for the students who wish to learn new cultures and languages. Some students prefer to go abroad for higher education so they can also get to experience different culture, people, languages and learn many other things about the host country. When students choose to go abroad for higher education, they are faced with many challenges in education. Every country has their own unique education style and it is quite challenging to adjust to different academic teaching style and new learning environment. This particular study examines the issues surrounding Turkish international students experience of higher education in Pakistan. Qualitative methodology was employed to penetrate into the topic under investigation. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with a sample of 6 Turkish students. By using Thematic Analysis five themes emerged: (a) language barrier, (b) un-coperative classfellows, (c) expectations from teachers, (d) different study methods, (e) inability to express in class. The findings both supports and contribute new aspects to the knowledge of this experience. A number of recommendations are made to enable those who come to Pakistan from Turkey to adapt and make the transition necessary in order to enhance their experience of pursuing education in a foriegn country.

Investigating Learning Challenges Faced by Students in Higher Education

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2015

This research investigates learning challenges faced by students in Higher Education. The population of the study consisted of undergraduates, postgraduates and instructors in a School of Education in a selected university in the United States of America. The researchers adopted qualitative approach which involved the use of questionnaire, interview, and document analysis to triangulate the data. The sample population comprised 181 undergraduate and postgraduate students and 22 instructors from the School of Education. Questionnaires using a 6 point Likert-scale were administered to all 203 respondents whilst interviews were conducted with 5 undergraduates, postgraduates and instructors. In addition, document analysis was also conducted on the syllabus used for the 12 courses. Data analyses indicated eight main learning challenges faced by students in higher education namely: cognitive challenge, becoming an active learner, coping with reading materials, instructional problem, language barrier, time management, burden of assignments, and culture difference in higher education. Based on the findings, it was suggested that higher learning institutes should emphasize on the construction of knowledge through active interaction between lecturer and the students which became a platform for the students to cope up with the learning challenges they were facing in higher education.

Academic and socio- cultural constraints faced by international students in Pakistan: A case study of COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad

İlköğretim Online, 2021

The aim of this study was to disentangle the international students experiences and document the factors affecting their educational progress and adjustment at university level in Pakistan. Findings of the study come from 65 semi-structured interviews conducted with Afghanistan, China, Nigeria, and Gambia national students who are pursuing their degrees in Bachelor of Science (BS), Master of Science (MS) and Ph.D program in different fields. The analysis of the empirical data revealed that discrepancies exist among students on the basis of their nationality. The main factors affecting the international student educational progress and adjustment issues were academic factor such as assessment criteria, grading pressure, lack of presentation skills, and understating of student online portal system. Language related difficulties include preparing of written assignment, taking lecture notes, and writing reports scientific reports. In social cultural adjustment interaction with others, unfamiliar to local culture, homesickness, loneliness, unavailability of food variety, and difficulty in participation in recreational activities. International students complained on the lack of basic health facilitation and services, lack of exercise facilities particularly for female students, and lack of career counselling and accommodation facilities in the campus.

Understanding academic struggles: A mixed-methods examination of postgraduates students in Germany, Türkiye, and Northern Cyprus

International Conference on Social and Education Sciences, 2024

The primary aim of this study is to investigate postgraduate students' experiences, identify the challenges they face, and examine the impact of their attitudes towards postgraduate education on academic satisfaction. In line with this aim, a mixed-methods approach has been adopted to address the challenges encountered by postgraduate students in Germany, Türkiye, and Northern Cyprus. This approach has been developed using qualitative (interviews with 15 participants) and quantitative data (Scales of Attitudes towards Postgraduate Education (SAPE) and Academic Satisfaction (SAS) with 332 students). The qualitative findings have revealed that financial difficulties, concerns about the future (finding positions, meritocratic issues), and academic challenges (communication with supervisors/lecturers, supervisor selection) are the primary concerns of students. However, quantitative findings have indicated a significantly positive correlation between attitudes towards postgraduate education and academic satisfaction. The results underscore the need for increased financial support and better academic resources to enhance academic success among postgraduate students, as well as emphasize the importance of addressing social discrimination and providing psychological support.

Higher Education Challenges for Rural Students in Urban Universities: A Qualitative Exploratory Study

Karachi University Business Research Journal, 2021

Rural students are like a marginalized sector of the mainstream classrooms of urban universities. They have their own voices, issues and concerns. The present qualitative exploratory study was conducted to identify the challenges faced by rural students seeking higher education at urban universities in Pakistan. 10 male students and 5 female students who belonged to different rural areas of Pakistan and were studying at an M.Phil./MS level at a private sector urban university in Karachi participated in the study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews using open-ended questions. Interviews were transcribed and thematic analysis was conducted to find out the patterns across the data set. As a result, six themes emerged: "social adjustment challenges", "travelling and accommodation issues", "problem of time management", "English language and ICT challenges", "lack of cooperation from the faculty and administration", and "rural students require special support". Results indicated that rural students face a range of problems when they are enrolled at urban universities for higher education. Recommendations were made for the administration of urban universities and also for the prospect rural students at urban universities. A comparative study can be conducted in future in terms of different experiences of the rural students studying at different urban universities across Pakistan.

A Qualitative Exploratory Study of the Factors Causing Academic Stress in Undergraduate Students in Pakistan

Liberal Arts and Social Sciences International Journal (LASSIJ), 2020

Academic stress is becoming an alarming mental health problem in Pakistan. The study aims to explore the causes of academic stress in the undergraduate students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Qualitative exploratory research design is adopted for this study. Data is elicited through structured-interview guide from 80 students from different study programs at the University of Malakand. Findings of the study show that nearly all (96.25%) students experienced an academic stress. Further, main causes of academic stress mentioned by students include: the lack of time management (90%); the semester system and frequent exams (86%); high study load and lengthy syllabi (80%); financial constraints (78%); favouritism and discrimination (72%); ineffective teacher-student relationship (68%); conventional and multilingual teaching style (60%); family and parental expectations (56%); and difficulty in adjustment to the university environment (44%). This study concludes that academic stress can...

Views of Students Regarding Problems Encountered in Postgraduate Education: A Phenomenological Research

High-quality manpower is needed greatly in development process. A successful and qualified postgraduate education is rather important for especially underdeveloped and developing countries in order to raise this manpower that is highly needed. Due to these reasons, there is a need for giving importance to postgraduate education and solving the problems in the field (Sevinç, 2001). In this study, it is aimed to determine the problems that the individuals studying postgraduate education at Institute of Education Sciences encounter and to offer solutions concerning the problems encountered. In this study, qualitative research method and phenomenological research was used. The participants studied postgraduate education in different majors and departments in the Institute of Education Sciences at a state university Data of the study was collected with semi-structured interview schedule designed by the researchers. The data collected in the study were analyzed by content analysis technique. The study findings revealed that postgraduate students had mainly problems of foreign language and Academic Personnel and Postgraduate Education Entrance Exam (ALES), problems of getting permission from their institution or school, communication problem with thesis supervisor and problem of toilsomeness of thesis writing process. In the conclusion section, recommendations regarding the problems encountered by students in postgraduate education are made. Öz Kalkınma sürecinde, yüksek nitelikli insan gücüne büyük gereksinim duyulmaktadır. Gereksinim duyulan bu insan gücünün yetiştirilmesinde ise başarılı ve nitelikli bir lisansüstü eğitim, özellikle de az gelişmiş ve gelişmekte olan ülkeler için oldukça önemlidir. Bu nedenlerden dolayı lisansüstü eğitime gereken önemin verilip, alandaki sorunların da çözülmesi gerekmektedir (Sevinç, 2001). Bu araştırmada, eğitim bilimleri enstitüsünde lisansüstü eğitim gören bireylerin yaşadıkları sorunların belirlenmesi ve yaşanan sorunlara ilişkin çözüm önerilerinin oluşturulması amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmada nitel yöntem ve olgu bilim deseni kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu bir devlet üniversitesi enstitüsünde farklı bölüm ve anabilim dallarında lisansüstü eğitim gören, katılımcılar oluşturmuştur. Araştırmanın verileri, araştırmacılar tarafından oluşturulan yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu ile toplanmıştır. Verilerin çözümlenmesinde içerik analizi yönteminden yararlanılmıştır. Araştırmanın başlıca bulgularından elde edilen sonuçlara göre; öğrenciler yabancı dil ve ALES sorunu, çalıştıkları kurumlardan izin alamama sorunu, tez danışmanı ile iletişim sorunu ve tez yazma sürecinin yoruculuğu sorunu konularında görüşlerini dile getirmişlerdir. Sonuç bölümünde, lisansüstü eğitimde öğrencilerin karşılaştıkları sorunlara yönelik önerilerde bulunulmuştur. Anahtar Sözcükler: Lisansüstü eğitim, Lisansüstü eğitimin sorunları, Görüşme, Öğrenci görüşleri