Thesis (MTech (Business Administration in Project Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / The beginning of the 2011 academic year in South Africa saw a number of Institutions of Higher Learning introducing online registration for their students. The efficiency and effectiveness of Information Systems is increasingly becoming a necessity and not an option for many organizations. An information system should be able to allow end users to access information easily and navigate with ease. The selected University of Technology (UoT) in this research is one of the largest public institution of higher learning in the Western Cape Province and boasts of an enrolment of more than 30 000 students per academic year. An observation was made that, during registration students stand in long queues waiting to register or for assistance to register. The system tends to ‘freeze’ whilst students are registering and students are in most cases unfamiliar with the system interface. They constantly have to enquire what to do next when going through online registration process. This study adopted a quantitative approach. The study uses constructs of the updated DeLone and McLean IS success model (2003) to analyse and explain the student’s perceptions of the online registration system. The research was undertaken to establish the student’s perceptions of the online registration system. This research identifies the challenges and success factors of introducing an online registration system, from a students’ perspective, whilst highlighting the extent to which this system has been able to solve problems associated with the manual registration era. The study seeks to assist management and those responsible for managing the current system to determine how well the system is working or not working to achieve user satisfaction. It will also assist them going forward on what to consider before, during and after implementation of an information system. Stemming from the findings of this study, recommendations were made such as making online registration available on mobile devices, online registration orientation can assist students navigate the system easily. The UoT should also consider thorough training for staff that assist students during registration to ensure good service quality.

This qualitative case study explored with a sample of first-generation students the factors that aided or impeded their pursuit of a degree before the pandemic, factors that impacted them during the crisis and any differences in their experiences at elite vs. non-elite schools. The rationale for the study was based on the researcher’s objective to uncover ways to help these students navigate through higher education. The researcher assumed increased understanding of the reality of a first-generation student during the pandemic would help universities design better supports to meet these students’ needs. The sample was composed of 27 first-generation undergraduates who attended 15 public and private universities across the U.S. The data collection methods were interviews and a focus group, including demographic and statistical data supplied by the participants. The data from the interviews and focus group was coded and organized according to the research questions. Analysis, interpretation and synthesis of the findings were organized by 2 analytic categories based on the conceptual framework: a) supports and barriers influencing first-generation students’ pursuit of a degree before the crisis and b) the relationship between first-generation students’ needs and their ability to pursue a degree during the pandemic. This research revealed that factors, such as how they prepared for college, environmental influences after enrollment and personal traits, either enabled or impeded first-generation students’ pursuit of a college degree before the pandemic. During the crisis, these students reflected on the value of a degree, in relation to the availability of college support services and their level of satisfaction with online education. Therefore, many participants reported their struggles during the pandemic helped them learn how to succeed. Finally, selectivity of the universities and availability of public funding had no material impact on how they met the needs of first-generation students during the pandemic. Recommendations are offered for universities and education policy makers to provide advisory services over 4 years, family workshops and mentors to assist with social supports. Recommendations for students and their families include guidelines for how students can achieve more effective two-way communication with their universities. Recommendations for future research are also included.

Thesis (MCur)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: he sexual health clinic at Stellenbosch University is attended by staff members and students. Yet, limited evidence exists regarding the views and expectations of the clients on service delivery at the sexual health clinic. The aim of the study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of clients attending the sexual health services offered at the campus health clinic. The following objectives were set:  To explore the experiences and perceptions of the clients attending the sexual health service on service delivery.  To identify the needs of the clients attending the sexual health service A descriptive qualitative approach was applied utilizing in-depth interviews. A sample of n=15 was drawn through purposive sampling and data saturation was achieved with the sample. Since the researcher is employed as a registered professional nurse at the clinic, data collection was completed by a researcher not affiliated to the university. Data was analyzed utilizing an interpretive approach. All applicable ethical principles such as anonymity, confidentiality and privacy were taken into consideration. The validity of the findings was enhanced through efforts to attain credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability. The findings of the study revealed that accessibility of the clinic is influenced by the geographical location of the clinic and that marketing and awareness of services requires attention. Other themes that emerged were operational hours, waiting period, building relationships, consultations and financial implications. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die seksuele gesondheidskliniek by Universiteit Stellenbosch word deur personeel en studente besoek. Daar is egter min bewyse oor die sieninge en verwagtinge van die kliente aangaande dienslewering by die seksuele gesondheidskliniek. Die doel van die studie was om die ervaringe en sieninge van kliente wat die seksuele gesondheidsdienste bywoon, aangebied deur die seksuele gesondheidskliniek, te ondersoek. Die volgende doelwitte was gestel:  Om die ervaringe en sieninge van kliente aangaande dienslewering by die seksuele gesondheidskliniek te ondersoek.  Om die behoeftes van die kliente wat die seksuele gesondheidsdienste bywoon, te identifiseer. ʼn Beskrywende kwalitatiewe benadering was toegepas deur van in-diepte onderhoude gebruik te maak. ʼn Steekproef van n=15 was deur doelgerigte steekproefneming verkry en data-versadiging was met die steekproef bereik. Siende die navorser as ʼn geregistreerde professionele verpleegster by die kliniek in-diens is, was data-versameling deur ʼn navorser wat nie aan die universiteit verbonde is nie, voltooi. Data was deur ʼn interpreterende benadering geanaliseer. Alle verwante etiese beginsels soos anonimiteit, vertroulikheid en privaatheid was in berekening geneem. Die geldigheid van die bevindinge was versterk deur pogings om geloofwaardigheid, oordraagbaarheid, betroubaarheid en bevestigbaarheid te verkry. Die bevindinge van die studie het getoon dat die toeganklikheid van die kliniek beïnvloed word deur die geografiese ligging van die kliniek en dat bemarking en die bewusmaking van dienste aandag benodig. Ander temas wat na vore gekom het, is operasionele tye, wagperiodes, verhoudinge, konsultasies en finansiële implikasies.

This study focuses on the challenges faced by U.S. college students who identify as gay or lesbian and choose to study abroad in Latin American countries. The focus is on the challenges to the formation and negotiation of a gay or lesbian identity in a new cultural construct. The study incorporates information from identity development and identity negotiation perspectives in an effort to explain the problems that these students face. There is also an emphasis placed on how these students receive support while on site, and how these supports help students continue a successful negotiation of a gay or lesbian identity while in a new cultural environment. Recommendations for providing effective support to gay and lesbian students are included.

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the students' perception of the College Advisory Program and its relation to his personality patterns. A secondary purpose was to investigate the Faculty Advisors' perception of the College Advisory Program. An additional outgrowth of the study was an attempt to obtain descriptive data for improving or altering existing Advisory Programs.

International students at our institutions of higher education have educational and personal needs which extend beyond the classroom. These needs are supposedly provided for by student personnel services, but little data has been collected which examines how international students use student services, and if their use differs significantly from use by American students. If their perceptions of students services and use of these resources does differ, what does that signify? This study measures the use and perceptions of student services by international and American students at Southern Oregon State College. Twenty-one philosophical objectives were examined for levels of importance, effectiveness, and resultant need. A list of twenty resources at the College were compiled and respondents were asked to rate the helpfulness of each resource. Demographic data on students included residence, length of time on campus, involvement in extracurricular activities, and other characteristics and was compared to knowledge of student services resources. International students were asked to identify their English language proficiency and this was compared with their need for student services objectives. All three hypotheses that there would be no differences between American and international students; in their perceptions cf the;:, importance, effectiveness, and helpfulness of student services were rejected at the . 05 level of significance. International students found three objectives to be ineffective, and the focus of these objectives suggested that cultural differences may contribute to student problems. A correlation between self-reported English language proficiency and satisfaction of needs for student services objectives was noted, while no relationship between TOEFL score and satisfaction of needs was found. Southern Oregon State College may want to reconsider its orientation procedures in light of the number of "don't know'' responses from students when asked about a variety of student services. Awareness of student services and the effectiveness of those services for both American and international students are issues which this study aims to help the college address.

M. Tech. Entrepreneurship / The purpose of this study was to assess the structures, systems and processes employed by departments, colleges and divisions in open distance learning (ODL) institutions used for the management of student enquiries on a day-to-day basis. The study also aims to provide ODL institutions with recommendations that will improve their management of student enquiries and service delivery.

Submitted in fulfillment of requirements for the Degree of Masters in Technology: Nursing, Durban University of Technology. 2013 / This study investigated the factors that impact on the utilisation of voluntary HIV counselling and testing (VCT) service at a wellness centre in a higher education institution. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to identify factors that impact on the utilisation of VCT service in a higher education institution. Methodology: A quantitative descriptive survey research design was used to describe the phenomenon and to establish relationships between variables. Participants were selected randomly in order to obtain a broad representative sample in three strata. A formal structured close-ended questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaire was designed to focus on variables such as demographic data, environmental factors, enabling factors, predisposing and behavioural factors. Findings: No significant relationship was identified between knowledge of HIV, AIDS and VCT and high school attended in rural, township and urban areas. There was no significant relationship between environmental factors and utilisation of VCT. There was no association between predisposing factors such as risk of VCT and perceived benefits of VCT utilisation. There was no relationship between knowledge and consistency of condom use and utilisation of VCT. The majority of respondents stated that the VCT service was not user friendly and the attitude of the staff toward students was poor. There was no significant relationship between accessibility of VCT service and utilisation of VCT. There was a lack of utilisation of campus VCT services and the majority of respondents utilised other services. Conclusion: The study showed that respondents who knew about availability of VCT were likely to have used the facility. Respondents who showed positive / Durban University of Technology

This study investigated the relationship between community college institutional expenditures and student success in reaching momentum points. The 3 years of student cohorts of a large community college district in Texas formed the population. Student characteristics and institutional context characteristics served as control variables. Institutional financial data functioned as the independent variables. Student success variables (milestones and momentum points) served as dependent variables. Because each of the three cohorts contained over 10,000 students and displayed equivalent characteristics, the random sample of 7,634 students was drawn from the combined cohorts. Institutional financial variables predicted the milestones of reading readiness (χ2 = 315.10, df = 17, n = 3,495, p < .001) and writing readiness (χ2 = 296.64, df = 17, n = 3,149, p < .001). Financial variables contributed to the completion of English-1301 (χ2 = 1004.14, df = 17, n = 7,634, p < .001), college-level math (χ2 = 615.24, df = 17, n = 7,634, p < .001), 30 college-level credit hours (χ2 = 833.85, df = 17, n = 7,634, p < .001), and reenrollment the second fall semester (χ2 = 375.41, df = 17, n = 7,634, p < .001). Student services expenditures provided high odds for completion of English-1301 (odds ratio = 4.85 x 1014), college-level math (odds ratio = 5.24 x 1018), 30 college-level credits (odds ratio = 1.60x1015), and for re-enrollment in the second fall semester (odds ratio = 7.32 x 1014). Instructional expenditures and operations & maintenance expenditures also predicted student enrollment in the second fall semester. Student services’ influence on student engagement and success should inform decisions about programs for improving student success. Institutional policymakers may utilized these expenditure results support momentum point attainment. Finally, the influence of full time enrollment on student completion of milestones and momentum points in every regression model suggested resources for encouraging full-time, uninterrupted college enrollment are needed. Additional implications and recommendations are provided.

The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the academic advising needs of students as perceived by students and faculty advisors through faculty advising functions in the six teachers' colleges in Bangkok, Thailand. Fifteen faculty advising functions were included in a questionnaire validated by a panel of three judges. The questionnaires were distributed to students and faculty advisors in the six teachers' colleges by two selected research assistants. A total of 180 faculty advisors and 540 junior and senior teacher training students at the six teachers' colleges in Bangkok, Thailand, were selected using stratified random sampling. The usable and complete questionnaires received included 109 from faculty advisors (60.56 per cent) and 350 from students (64.81 per cent). The t-test, the Kendall's Coefficient of Concordance W, and the Spearman's Coefficient of Rank Correlation were employed to determine and compare the differences, the agreements, and the relationships of academic advising needs of students as perceived by students and faculty advisors, respectively. Analyses of the data revealed that students and faculty advisors in the six teachers' colleges in Bangkok, Thailand, perceived a mismatch between student advising needs now being fulfilled and student advising needs that should be fulfilled. Apparently, the academic advising programs in the teachers' colleges were not meeting the student needs. However, for student advising needs which should be fulfilled, both students and faculty advisors ranked personal, vocational and career, and academic areas very high. Overall, students and faculty seemed to agree on the advising needs which should be fulfilled.