Decision Making - Preference for Post Secondary Institution
Posted: Sunday, April 30, 2006
by Dr Ozair Chaudhry
Research Scientist/ Educator
Author: Dr Ozair Chaudhry, Ph.D., MOCT (C)
Instructor Biology & Environmental Science. Albert Campbell Collegiate Institute, (NS Con. Ed.). Toronto Ontario. Canada.
A crucial time comes in the life of every high school graduating students during his/her final year of Grade12. Nevertheless, discipline wise (career and major courses of interest to be taken in a university or College) opinion is already set in the minds of the most students during their grade-11 classes. Consequently, they further enroll for the advance courses in grade-12. While discussed the basis of their choices and preference of choosing post secondary institutions with selected graduating students, very diverse reflections were recorded. This article is focussed on the background factors influencing their decision-making. Different students debated the issue either influenced by family background, peer’s influence, high rating academic reputation of the university/college and or due to social pressures etc. Some were impressed with the type of program relevance to their goals, a few were inclined with the financial support available in term of scholarship or internship programs and others were applying to one or the other choice to overcome the risk of none acceptance by either. Distance from home and other related petty issues were also heard as a constraint from some folks. But the key factors that were identified as likely to influence at a greater degree were
- the overall institutional reputation in the job market after graduation,
- expenses of whole course package and available financial support of any form,
- possibility of paid internship rewarding practical experience to facilitate jobs after graduation
- Market related academic setting Institutions promote course packages as per demand in the job market. They also tailor contents of the courses to the extent to make it more attractive to the potential candidates. The academic administrators keep liaison with the professional regulatory bodies, public sector mega-organizations who are the main players on behalf of a profession and forecast future demands of the skills and services. Similarly, higher educational institutions react to private and public sector trends for their enrollment size. These trends are some time based on false prediction displayed hypothetically. The latest example is shortage of teachers. In 1999 and until 2003 there was a hoe and cry for the teachers shortage in Canada. The extent of enrollment in campuses can be assessed from the one fact that in year 2001, there were 1400 students enrolled in OISE/U of T alone in their teachers degree program (B.Ed). In the province of Ontario alone, almost 3 campuses introduced new education programs and several increased the number of seats in their pre-existing programs. The total outcome from all other colleges in the province of Ontario alone and then, topping of accreditation of foreign teacher immigrating to Canada, glut the teaching job market within 3 years. The predicted demand of teacher was made for the next 10-15 years due to so many anticipated retirements. That all was proven wrong. The alarming figures of shortage published by profession regulating authority, Ontario College of Teachers, contradicted from articles published later in their journal, "Professionally Speaking" that the province had surplus teachers in 2003-4. Who is responsible for the false forecasting that compelled several thousands to waste both time and money for the teacher’s degree?
- Research and Development Thrust
Linkages of University with private partners offer best symbiosis for the overall sustainable development. One example is recent joint venture between the (GM) General Motors Oshawa and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). This agreement offers to expand the school of Mechanical Engineering/automobile with the collective financial support of GM and the Province in the magnitude of about Cd $. 6 billions with in the next 5-8 years. It is deemed that the program will lead on the global frontier of competence and state of the art professional excellence.
Post-secondary professional colleges on the contrary, produce skilled technicians and supporting manpower keeping in view the magnitude of demand in a particular trade. Since their base is neither research dependent nor they have extensive obligation of huge infrastructure or permanent employment liabilities, they are therefore, more flexible to reorient their shops to cater the emerging demand.
R & D base of a university has a great influence on the decision making process of the youth due to the following reasons:
- Higher institutional rating as it generates new knowledge, wider circulation of publications through national and international journals, magazines and newspapers etc.,
- Provides hands on experience of practical applications through the research base lab facilities,
- Offers opportunity of summer internship during the study program
- Increases connection of the graduating students with the workplace/ Industry consequently accelerated s in their hiring.
- Reforms in Degree Program Package (Inter-University Competition)
Another example is a Biophysics course at University of California Fresno, USA. University hired one of our colleagues, Dr. Amir Huda to promote an undergraduate program in Biophysics aiming at training students in newly emerging area of nuclear medicine and diagnostic medical technology (magnetic resonance spectroscopy). According to Dr. Huda this 4-year undergraduate program will offer starting job offer around 60-90 K.
Dr. Ashraf Chaudhry, now in Chicago, USA was my major Professor at Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad in 1972-74. He visited the university in March 2006. He disclosed that recently, the faculty of Biology has been divided in to four departments: Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Microbiology, Plant Sciences and Animal Sciences. Immediately it struck in my mind that the student’s demands and educational administrators are experiencing the similar situation even in the developing countries. Revamping and reformation of the curriculum is a process of clients need and I see above change for the betterment in the following ways:
- Consolidate resources for the best utility. R & D base will take its roots in each identified sector,
- Enhance interdisciplinary coordination,
- Promote competitiveness for public sector grants and financial contribution from the private sector,
- Professionally nurture the intellectuals both, teachers and students. Academic prosperity,
- Selectively trained students will be able to offer specialized services at workplace.
Conclusion (Meeting the Targets)
With the advent of knowledge, the up-gradation of curriculum is a routine process. However, I can not predict how easy or difficult it is to alter the whole program in one stretch. What time and cost will involve for a jolt shift? There might be several administrative and technical obstacles involved to turn upside down. On one hand Universities compete for higher enrollment (a part of business) on the other hand they have to develop centers of excellence through winning grants for research. They make money for spending on human services in term of benefit to society through learning and exploration. As long as they are aimed at generate competitive manpower to meet the challenges of the rapidly growing economies, their efforts will be respected. I am sure, new programs will continue their emergence and students of all times will take advantages in achieving their set goals with great satisfaction.
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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)Dr. Ozair Chaudhry's article reflects the realities on ground. Sectoral job forcasting about professions is some times very irretional. The professional organizations musyt be very catious before making predictions on national concerns.
Dr Oziar's article is warning to those who are now rating nursing on climax demand. I wonder by the time most nurses will graduate, there won't be as many job. Pridictors must give tru picture and not generalize things.
The author has represented the youth. A transition from Secondary to degree education matters a lot as it sets future direction. School guidence and College/University leaders have a greater role to play. I hope his message is taken.
Academic evaluation is different than performance evaluation at work place. Post schooling assessment criteria frustrate some. I wish the author also provides some guide line to make organization consistent.
It is real hard to decide where to go after school. Anyone I discuss give different opinion. I am in a chaos and unable to decide wheather to go for York, UFT or McMaster for life science major. Although, I dont have any constraint of dislocation or financial yet, I am unable to decide.
The author has revealed real picture on behalf of the final year likely graduating students.
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