STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVE-BASED SWOT ANALYSIS OF HIGHER EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, FAISALABAD, PAKISTAN

Abstract

The present paper describes for the first time, the findings of a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, potential opportunities and threats) analysis of postgraduate degree programs of the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF). Two Faculties (Agriculture and Social Sciences) were selected randomly from 7 Faculties. Three Departments/Institutes each of the Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Social Sciences were randomly selected for sampling. A list of all M.Sc. (Hons.), M.Phil. and Ph.D. students of each of these departments/institutes (sampling frame) was obtained from the Directorate of Graduate Studies (UAF) and a proportionate sampling was used to select a random sample of 180 students. Perceptions of the selected students related to the strengths, weaknesses, potential opportunities and threats were recorded on a structured questionnaire. Pre-testing of the questionnaire in a small-scale pilot study involving 8 students revealed a Cronbach’s-alpha Coefficient value of 0.81. The data related to the perceptions of the respondents were analyzed by using Statistical Packages of Social Sciences (SPSS). Availability of library facility in each Department/Institute (Mean ± SD of 4.18 ± 1.165), convening of co-curricular activities (4.02 ± 1.005), manning of the Department / Institute by very well-educated and trained teachers (4.02, ±0.915), the forthcoming attitude of the major supervisor and the supervisory committee for students guidance (3.99 ± 1.133) and UAF being an economically sound and well-managed institution (3.74 ± 0.958), respectively were the 5 highest ranking strengths in the area of infrastructure and facilities, general environment of UAF, teaching and teachers, research and supervision and finance of the University. A continuous increase in the number of students ensuing in dwindling of the University financial resources (Mean ± SD 3.98 ± 0.960), insufficient residential capacity in the hostels (3.64 ± 1.137), lack of well-furnished and serene postgraduate rooms (3.51 ± 1.033), insufficient opportunities of supervised study tours (3.37 ± 1.219) and postgraduate courses not being at par with those in developed countries (3.36 ± 1.006) were the most notable weaknesses of the University respectively in the area of finance, infrastructure and facilities, general environment, research and supervision & teaching and teachers. The 4 top ranking opportunities falling respectively in the area of infrastructure and facilities, research and supervision, finance and teaching and teachers included prospects of UPS in every Institute/Department (Mean ± SD 4.07 ± 0.869), the possibility of conducting online sessions through zoom, Google meet and other tools (3.98 ± 0.906), potential of improvement of practical skills and knowledge of the students by providing them opportunities of paid work (3.96 ± 0.988) and more opportunities of training of young faculty by senior faculty (3.89 ± 0.761). Similarly, top-ranking threats (n = 4) perceived to the higher education system of UAF falling respectively in the area of general environment, infrastructure and facilities, teaching and teachers and finance included the looming danger of water and energy crisis for agricultural and human development (Mean ± SD 4.03 ±1.033), the danger of climate and environmental degradation due to more and more University land coming under construction (3.80 ± 0.942), threat to the image of the University emanating from students’ indulgence in intercession (sefarish in Urdu) to get better grades (3.74 ± 0.874) and potential financial crunch due to constant increase in salaries and pensions of employees (3.43 ± 1.062).