Postgraduate Women Research Articles

Meeting the needs of overseas postgraduate women students through flexible distance education

This paper derives from preliminary research into prospects for a more flexible approach to mixed‐mode distance education for overseas students at Australian universities. The group studied is postgraduate women students sponsored by Australian aid programmes. Information from a survey of these students and their needs in such areas as academic concerns, accommodation and living conditions and issues of personal concern forms part of the background to the paper. Data analysed includes: preference among three models of mixed‐mode study, the response to home country study by students, employers and sponsors, the availability of national networks likely to support mixed‐mode study and students’ assessment of the proposals. One conclusion suggested is that women with professional and domestic responsibilities could find mixed‐mode study more satisfying than full‐time study. Further information about the principles and operational characteristics of distance education is needed to clarify the expectations of p...