Student University Choice in Kurdistan-Iraq What Factors Matter.pdf (1.01 MB)
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journal contribution
posted on 2022-02-14, 11:56 authored by Azad M. Qasim, Pirshing Salih Mohamad Al-Askari, Hiba MassoudHiba Massoud, Rami M. Ayoubi,We aim to investigate the factors influencing student choice in the private higher education (HE) sector in Kurdistan-Iraq. Hence, this research attempts to add to the literature in terms of understanding student university choice, in general, and address the gap in the literature in the context of Middle Eastern studies including Kurdistan, in particular. We employed a survey research design using a self-developed questionnaire targeting first-year students in private universities in Kurdistan. Using a sample of 518 students and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), we found that the university characteristics that most influenced student choice were reputation/accreditation, quality of teaching, employability and quality of facilities, a finding consistent with existing literature. However, cost of study was not seen to be highly influential in relation to student choice. Accordingly, the study recommends that universities consider increasing their tuition fees and dedicating the extra revenues to boosting their reputation, enhancing their quality of teaching and accreditation and increasing their connection to and relationships with local employers. Some other implications are also discussed.
History
Published in
Journal of Further and Higher EducationPublisher
Taylor & FrancisVersion
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)
Citation
Qasim, A.M., Al-Askari, P.S.M., Massoud, H.K. and Ayoubi, R.M. (2020) 'Student university choice in Kurdistan-Iraq: what factors matter?' Journal of Further and Higher Education, pp.1-17Print ISSN
0309-877XElectronic ISSN
1469-9486Cardiff Met Affiliation
- Cardiff School of Management
Cardiff Met Research Centre/Group
- Welsh Centre for Business and Management Research
Copyright Holder
- © The Publisher
Language
- en