Student Enrollment Research Articles

The Role of University Community Engagement Programs in Influencing Higher Education Outcomes and Community Development: An Insight from Uganda

A specialised approach to academic research, teaching, and learning known as community engagement entails actively involving communities in cooperative initiatives that improve university teaching, learning, and research objectives while also addressing the needs and opportunities of the community. In this paper, we investigate how university community involvement positively impacts higher education results and community development, primarily using one Ugandan public university and one Ugandan private university as examples. The concept of university community engagement, as well as its advantages and drawbacks for the institution, students, and community at large, were addressed in the present study. Communities gain from university community engagement as members and organisations from the community share and integrate their knowledge with that of faculty and students, resulting in an improved understanding of community issues and the development of collective capacity to address them, producing either or both short-term impacts and long-term transformational change. University community participation benefits students by enhancing learning possibilities that can result in new and improved outcomes in terms of academic learning, development of skills and competences, leadership, and good citizenship. Enhancing teaching and learning possibilities, growing student enrolment and retention, co-creating new information and ideas, providing opportunities for research, and improving the university's reputation are all advantages for the higher education institution. Despite the aforementioned advantages, community participation is associated with a reproach of being more difficult, expensive, and possibly problematic than conventional approaches of knowledge and instruction. Better methods for recording and communicating academic progress are required, and there’s need to expand our awareness of important community engagement outcomes outside of the academic sphere. To promote sustainable community development and improve higher education outcomes, established and future higher education institutions must completely embrace and strengthen their community participation to a global scale.

Optimizing the Role of Committees in School Facilities and Infrastructure Management

This research utilizes a qualitative approach to investigate the role of committees in infrastructure management at SDN 8 Salobulo, Palopo City. Adequate facilities and infrastructure are crucial for enhancing the quality of learning, but challenges related to coordination and management are often encountered. The study incorporates interviews, observations, and document analysis to explore (1) strategies employed by the committee in managing facilities and infrastructure, (2) specific actions taken by the committee, and (3) challenges encountered throughout the process. The findings indicate that enhanced communication, effective planning, and increased transparency have positively influenced the school's reputation, resulting in higher student enrollments and a more conducive learning environment. These results provide insights for other schools seeking to improve their infrastructure management to facilitate effective learning.

Exploring the Role of Principal Leadership in Enhancing School Quality: Insights from “Sengkang”

This study investigates the impact of democratic leadership on school quality at UPTD SMP Negeri 6 Sengkang. Using a qualitative approach, including interviews, focus groups, observations, and document analysis, the research reveals that the principal’s democratic leadership style significantly enhances school adaptability and development. The principal’s collaborative decision-making and inclusive environment have led to notable improvements in school quality, especially during the challenges of COVID-19. Key findings include increased student enrollment, improved school reputation, and effective management practices. The principal’s clear vision, strong work ethic, and focus on a student-centered approach, alongside teacher professional development and a dynamic curriculum, have been essential in achieving educational goals. The study underscores the importance of democratic leadership in fostering a positive school culture and driving continuous improvement, highlighting the interplay between leadership style and effective school management in promoting educational success.

Enrolment of students in Nigerian tertiary institutions: A reflective impact of the slogan ‘who school help'

There has been a noticeable decline in enrolment in some Nigerian tertiary institutions, such as colleges of education, polytechnics, and some state-owned universities. Various factors have been identified as influencing this problem. This study aims to investigate the impact of the popular slogan "Who School Help" on post-secondary school enrolment in Nigeria. The study used a descriptive survey research design, collecting both qualitative and quantitative data. A purposive sampling method was used to select participants from Senior Secondary Class 1 to Senior Secondary Class 3. In this category, 565 students were selected. Additionally, 20 participants were accidentally selected based on inclusion criteria, with 10 of them being secondary school graduates and the other 10 being graduates from tertiary institutions. The study found that all participants claimed to be familiar with and resonate with the slogan 'Who School Help?' Furthermore, the study revealed that factors such as graduate unemployment rate, salary disparities, and political dynamics motivate the promotion of the slogan as a means to explain the decline in post-secondary school enrolment. In conclusion, the study determined that the popular use of the slogan "Who School Help" among Nigerian youths significantly influences individuals' decisions regarding post-secondary education. The limitations and recommendations of the study were also discussed.

Student Enrolment and Discipline in Public Boys’ Boarding Secondary Schools in Western Region, Kenya

School discipline is a matter of concern particularly among teachers, family, educators and other stakeholders. Students cannot learn and teachers cannot teach effectively in an undisciplined and unsafe environment and therefore order and discipline are necessary for successful educational outcomes. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of student enrolment on discipline in public boys’ boarding secondary schools. The study was guided by B.F Skinners theory of Reinforcement. This study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The target population of the study consisted of 153 boys’ boarding secondary schools. Using random sampling 74 boys boarding schools were sampled. The study sampled 314 respondents comprising of 74 deputy Principals and 240 class teachers through purposive and simple random sampling respectively. The study used a questionnaire and interview guide to gather primary data. Quantitative data was analyzed using frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviation, Pearson correlation and linear regressions. Qualitative data was coded and reported in themes and sub-themes. The study established that student enrolment had a statistically significant influence on student discipline. The study recommended that in order to instill good discipline among students, the government should regulate student population.

Optimizing faculty resource allocation in higher education: A mathematical model for strategic planning

This paper introduces a new mathematical model aimed at improving how faculty resources are allocated in higher education institutions. The model takes into account the complexities of student enrollment, teaching quality, and program offerings. It provides a structured method to estimate faculty needs, including both Ph.D. holders teaching core courses and teaching assistants or lecturers managing practical courses, labs, and related tasks. By considering factors such as class sizes, faculty workloads, and student enrollment patterns, the model offers useful insights for academic planning. Two case studies from Hafr Al Batin University illustrate the model's practical value and flexibility. These examples show how the model can support informed decision-making, helping to maintain a balance between student numbers and teaching quality. The paper concludes by highlighting the importance of data-driven planning in the changing field of higher education, suggesting future research directions, and positioning the model as a key tool for improving the management and administration of higher education. The main goal is to ensure a high-quality education for students while making efficient use of resources.

Motivators and barriers for studying podiatry in Australia and New Zealand: A mixed methods study.

Podiatry enrolments at Australian and New Zealand universities have decreased by 17.3% since 2015, which threatens the profession's sustainability and the health and wellbeing of Australian and New Zealand people and communities. Reasons for this decline remain unclear due to insufficient evidence on factors influencing career choices. The overarching aim of this study was to identify motivators and barriers for studying podiatry in Australia and New Zealand. This study used a convergent mixed methods design. Students enrolled in (i) podiatry and (ii) relevant non-podiatry health, sport or science programs at nine Australian and one New Zealand university, were invited to participate in an online survey. First-year podiatry students were also invited to participate in an online workshop. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and linear/logistic regression models. Three independent assessors used inductive thematic analysis for the qualitative data. Overall, 278 podiatry students (mean age 24.9±8.5years, 65.1% female) and 553 non-podiatry students (mean age 24.8±8.2years, 75.4% female; 32.2% from physiotherapy and 29.1% from occupational therapy) responded to the survey. Interest in a health-related career, wanting to make a difference to people's health, and opportunity to care for people from different backgrounds/age groups were key motivating factors among podiatry students. Barriers to studying podiatry were encountered by 28.1% of podiatry students. Thematic analysis identified seven themes concerning career choice, which are as follows: (i) awareness of profession and scope of practice; (ii) stereotypes and negative perceptions of the profession; (iii) awareness of career pathways; (iv) job prospects and earning potential; (v) working with people and building relationships; (vi) podiatry is not the first preference; and (vii) barriers which limit student enrolment. There are a variety of factors that motivate and influence students to study podiatry, however, altruistic reasons are most highly rated. Allied health students have limited understanding of the scope of practice and career opportunities in podiatry. Additionally, the podiatry profession often faces negative stereotypes. Further work is required to reverse the negative stereotypes and perceptions of podiatry and build knowledge of the profession's scope of practice, career pathways/opportunities, job prospects and earning potential.

Integrating a Personal Finance Workshop to Enhance Financial Literacy Among Senior Medical Students: A Single Institution's Experience.

Graduating medical students frequently start their training burdened with substantial financial debt and minimal savings, especially in comparison to their peers in other professional fields. A lack of financial literacy can result in increased debt, decreased job satisfaction and contribute to physician burnout. Enhancing financial education could improve both the financial stability and emotional well-being of future medical professionals. In this study, a basic personal finance workshop was conducted for 4th year medical students at a single institution. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of the personal finance workshop on improving financial literacy. An introduction to basic personal finance workshop was open to enrollment for all 4th year medical students at The Alpert Medical School at Brown University. A 40-question survey to evaluate financial literacy was administered to all participants before and 6-months after the workshop. The topics covered included student loan management, basics of retirement accounts, investing, budgeting, saving and consensus surrounding financial topics. The results were analyzed using student paired t-test and Chi-square test of independence. Overall, an improvement in financial literacy was reported 6 months after the personal finance workshop (62% vs 54%, p = 0.004). Students subjectively reported an increase in confidence in their personal finance knowledge (16% vs 44%) and general knowledge regarding retirement savings (7% vs 55%). More than 92% of students agreed or strongly agreed that a basic personal finance education should be included as part of the medical school curriculum. A personal finance workshop for medical students nearing graduation increases awareness and confidence in financial knowledge. The incorporation of basic financial education in the medical school curriculum may help young physicians establish better financial habits that will improve their financial wellbeing.

Regional public university chief marketing officers' perceptions of best practices for addressing the enrolment cliff

Higher education institutions rely on student enrolments to generate revenue through tuition and fees. The next decade will bring a significant enrolment drop for many institutions because of several factors, including birth-rate declines and demographic shifts. The projected enrolment decline has been called the enrolment cliff due to the impact on colleges and universities that will face a major revenue loss if enrolments decline as predicted. This case study explores chief marketing officers' perceptions of best practices at regional public universities that must be addressed to utilise marketing to help mitigate the enrolment cliff.

Strategic Planning of Information Technology Architecture in Schools Using The Open Group Architect Framework (TOGAF) Case Study: SMA Negeri 15 Bandar Lampung

This research aims to design an enterprise architecture at SMA Negeri 15 Bandar Lampung using the TOGAF ADM framework. This research involves several phases: Preliminary Phase, Architecture Vision, Business Architecture, Information System Architecture, and Opportunities and Solutions. In the Preliminary phase, the objectives and benefits of architectural development are determined to meet the needs of the school, including the new student enrollment system and network structure. The Architecture Vision phase describes the organization's profile, vision and mission, as well as the current state of architecture. Business Architecture analyzes key business processes using the value chain, including student admission, teaching and learning activities, and student release. Information System Architecture develops data and application architectures to support business vision and architecture. The Opportunities and Solutions phase identifies opportunities for information technology development to improve school operational efficiency. The results show that the implementation of TOGAF ADM can provide systematic and comprehensive guidance in designing enterprise architecture that suits the needs of schools.

Model for increasing interest in enrolling in private universities based on a segmentation, targeting, and market positioning strategy in Indonesia

This study aims to examine the factors that influence interest in enrolling in private colleges in the DKI Jakarta area, with a focus on how the Segmentation, Targeting, and Positioning (STP) strategies of these colleges affect student enrollment decisions. The research addresses a gap in understanding how these marketing strategies impact enrollment in this specific region, which has not been widely studied. Using a survey method with a quantitative approach, the study explores aspects like accreditation, ranking, and clustering of colleges. Data were collected from 283 non-official and non-religious colleges, with a sample of 166 colleges, through questionnaires sent to policymakers. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods and Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) analysis. The results show that the segmentation strategy is particularly successful, while the targeting and positioning strategies are moderately effective. Unlike previous studies that generalize the effects of marketing strategies on college enrollment, this research offers a detailed analysis specific to the DKI Jakarta region. The hypothesis testing confirms that segmentation, targeting, and positioning strategies positively influence enrollment interest, both individually and together. However, the study is limited to one region and one type of college, indicating a need for further research in different contexts. The study concludes with recommendations to strengthen each part of the STP strategies by addressing identified weaknesses to improve their overall impact.

An exploratory analysis of drinking motives and alcohol-related problems among Hispanic college students

The increase in college enrollment for Hispanic college students warrants increased attention to their health and wellness. Given that a common threat to health and well-being in college students is alcohol use and that Hispanic college students are at elevated risk for alcohol-related problems, it is essential to investigate factors that might lead to heightened alcohol-related problems among this population. The present study is a secondary data analysis of an NIAAA-funded study investigating brief interventions for alcohol use among 583 heavy-drinking college students. Specifically, we examined the relationship between Hispanic student status and alcohol-related problems measured one month later. Additionally, we examined the indirect effects of Hispanic status on alcohol-related problems through drinking motives. Analyses revealed a significant association between Hispanic status and alcohol-related problems at baseline but no association between Hispanic status and problems at 1-month, controlling for baseline problems. An indirect effect of the prospective association between Hispanic student status and alcohol-related problems was evident for only one of the four drinking motives (coping). Our findings suggest that reducing coping motives for drinking among Hispanic college students may reduce alcohol-related problems.

The Effect of Service Quality and Endorser Credibility on Purchase Decision Mediated By Brand Image (Empirical Study: Active Students of Jaya Buana Vocational High School in Tangerang Regency)

This study examines the impact of service quality and endorser credibility on the purchase decisions of prospective students at SMK Jaya Buana, a vocational high school in Tangerang Regency, with brand image as a mediating factor. The research employs a comprehensive design that includes validity, reliability, and hypothesis testing, using structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze the data. The findings reveal that both service quality and endorser credibility significantly influence purchase decisions, with service quality identified as the most critical contributor. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that brand image plays a vital role in enhancing the effect of these variables on purchase decisions, acting as a powerful mediator. The results suggest that improving service quality and leveraging credible endorsers can significantly boost a school's brand image, thereby increasing student enrollment. This research underscores the importance of strategic management in educational institutions to attract more students by focusing on service excellence, credible endorsements, and a strong brand image.

Understanding the influence of business innovation context on intentions of enrolment in master education of STEM students: a multi-level choice model

This article studies educational decisions, focusing on intentions of enrolment in master’s education of STEM bachelor students. Integrating human capital theory with concepts of cultural and social capital, we propose a two-level model for the choice of pursuing master’s degrees. First level (individual) includes factors covering individual habitus and organisational habitus (higher education institutions of bachelor students), while the second level (local) reflects the local business innovation environment. The proposed model was empirically tested on data collected from a sample of STEM and non-STEM bachelor students enroled in 10 public universities located in Romania. The results show that STEM students display a higher propensity to enrol in master's education, and the gap between STEM and non-STEM majors varies across regions. We find that educational decisions related to master’s degrees are shaped by local circumstances reflecting the business innovation intensity as more innovative business contexts are less conducive for enrolment of students in master programmes. In addition, the findings of the study show that local circumstances are not independent of the field of study when shaping students’ educational choices, highlighting the complex way in which individual and local levels factors interplay and shape educational decisions. STEM students’ propensity to enrol in master’s degrees is more influenced by the innovative business environment than other students. This study has implications for higher education policy and practice aiming to support longer educational careers in STEM.

Aligning Strategies of Institutes with Student Expectations: An Exploration of External Factors Shaping Students' Choice of Private Higher Education Institutes

Student enrollment and retention are critical aspects of the economic sustainability of a private higher education institute (HEI). However, due to the growing number of private HEIs worldwide, huge competition has been created among these institutes. This has resulted in institutes investing heavily in ineffective strategies because they are implemented without fully understanding student expectations. Due to this, student dropouts can also be observed. Failure to meet enrollment targets and dropouts not only creates revenue loss but also negatively affects the reputation of the HEIs, impacting the viability of the institute. Therefore, much interest has been generated in identifying the factors that motivate students when choosing an HEI. This study’s main aim is to conduct a review of the available literature and identify the external factors, namely HEI-related characteristics and the communication methods that influence students when choosing a private HEI that directly impact the institutes. The inclusion criteria for the chosen literature consisted of studies conducted on the motivational factors of undergraduates and high school students who were in the process of choosing an HEI. The literature reviewed shows that students are influenced by HEI-related characteristics such as the reputation of the HEI, course fees, facilities offered, employability of graduates, academic quality, and quality of faculty and by the information gathered through communication methods such as websites and social media advertisements. HEIs can consider these findings to develop policies, improve their facilities and activities, and formulate and implement marketing strategies through the communication channels identified in this study.

The Role of AI in Enhancing Marketing Communication: Implications for Policy and Development in Indonesian Higher Education

This research delves into the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on marketing communication within the Indonesian higher education sector. By adopting advanced AI technologies like machine learning algorithms, universities aim to enhance customer engagement, understand student behavior, and personalize marketing strategies. The study combines quantitative data, showcasing the extent of AI adoption and its outcomes, with qualitative insights to highlight the effectiveness of AI in improving key marketing metrics. Post-AI integration, there were significant increases in student inquiries, application rates, and enrollment numbers, underscoring the tangible benefits of AI-driven marketing strategies. The findings emphasize the strategic shift towards data-driven decision-making and personalized engagement, positioning Indonesian universities at the forefront of innovative marketing practices. This research contributes valuable insights for academia, industry practitioners, and policymakers looking to leverage AI for strategic marketing initiatives in higher education.

Implementing open educational resources: Lessons learned

BackgroundOpen educational resources (OER) are associated with several positive outcomes for undergraduate and graduate students, both financially and academically. Financial benefits include a reduction in student debt and costs of attending college. Academic benefits include improved academic success, especially for students from populations historically underserved by higher education. PurposeThis article reviews strategies and lessons learned from an academic multi-campus school of nursing (SON) initiative on implementing OER. ApproachA team representing undergraduate and graduate nursing faculty, the library, and the Teaching and Learning Center set forth to improve faculty awareness of and interest in adopting OER and develop resource sites for disseminating information about OER. The team collaborated with partners within the university and with external academic partners to achieve our goals. OutcomesPresentations to SON faculty on OER identified faculty interested in adopting these resources. Two Masters of Nursing Education (MNE) students identified and shared resources; completed a student textbook survey; and, reported results and recommendations to SON faculty. A university resource site was created on OER. Further collaboration with university librarians to identify and implement OER for specific courses is ongoing. ConclusionsStudents identified cost as one barrier for pursuing higher education. Efforts to reduce cost through utilizing OER may eliminate this barrier, thus enhancing student enrollment and persistence in higher education. Adopting OER is a social justice action that has the potential to address educational inequities by allowing students to attend to their basic human needs such as housing and food.

Barriers Rural Maldivian High School Students Face in Transitioning to Higher Education

Student enrolment in higher education has long been inconsistent for those residing in urban areas and for those who are settled in rural areas. This study aims to explore the barriers Maldivian rural high school students face in transitioning to higher education through the lenses of the students, parents and instructors. The research adopted a qualitative case study approach, involving individual interviews of five rural high school students, and a focus group discussion of four parents of rural high school students along with three higher education instructors, who were selected via purposive sampling. Perspectives of the participants were gained with regard to transition from high school to higher education and the common barriers encountered during the transition process. The collected data was analysed via thematic analysis, which led to the emergence of five challenges from two main themes, which are prioritisation of work over education and academic inadequacies in rural regions. The findings of this study are consistent with a number of other studies, whilst bringing some novel ideas to the forefront in the context of the Maldives.

College President Departure After No-Confidence Votes: An Event History Analysis

ABSTRACT Faculty-led no-confidence votes against college presidents have increased over the past decade. These votes often aim to create conditions that lead to the president’s departure. In this study, I used event history analysis to investigate the influence of faculty-led no-confidence votes on the tenure of college presidents. The analysis reveals that nearly 70% of presidents leave their positions within four semesters of a no-confidence vote. The study further explores the influence of various factors, including institutional and presidential characteristics, on the likelihood of presidential departure after no-confidence votes. The results indicate that student enrollment size is the only significant predictor, with smaller institutions more likely to experience leadership turnover following a vote. The study concludes that no-confidence votes are a powerful tool for facilitating presidential change across diverse institutional types. These findings have important implications for faculty governance bodies and boards of trustees, highlighting the need for strategic planning in response to such votes.

International Students’ Social Media Use: An Integrative Review of Research Over a Decade

As advancements in technology rapidly progress and the enrollment of international students continues to increase concurrently, understanding the impact of social media on their experiences has become an area of significant academic interest in the recent decade. This integrative review employs a hybrid review approach, integrating bibliometric analysis with structured review, to provide a comprehensive overview and systematic synthesis of the literature on social media use among international students. One hundred twenty-one studies retrieved from the Web of Science database were analyzed to delineate the evolution of the field and identify the influential journals. The paper further proposes an integrative framework that thematically summarizes the phenomenon, aiming to highlight the potent components in students’ transitions. This review offers insights into the evolving landscape of social media use among international students, identifying potential directions for future study and policymaking.