International students in South African universities: an examination of their academic choices, challenges and social integration at the University of Fort Hare and Rhodes University
- Authors: Olujobi, Omobola
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Students, Foreign -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social integration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internalization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Rural Development)
- Identifier: vital:11949 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1020183 , Students, Foreign -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social integration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internalization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: International students have become major role players in international education across the globe. Their enrollment in different universities has increased in the past few decades worldwide. Most of these students bring rich cultural diversity and skills to their various host institutions and countries. These trends signal the need to examine and understand international students within the South African context. Against this background, this study explores the factors that influence academic choices of international students, academic and social challenges they face and the role of social capital in influencing international student integration at the Universities of Fort Hare and Rhodes in South Africa. A qualitative research design was employed in this study. Thirty international students were selected (and interviewed) using purposive sampling and snowballing. The study found that some of the main factors that influence the academic choices of international students include availability of scholarships and funding, recommendations of the institution by family and friends, availability of preferred course and the reputation of the institution. Some of the main challenges faced by international students in these two institutions include language barriers, financial difficulty, expensive but improperly maintained accommodation and culture shock. These challenges impede the smooth integration of international students into their new academic and social environment. However, the students employ several strategies in attempt to address the challenges they face. These include joining a student or community social organization, community engagement and making friends. These social networks and organizations serve as a support system and connection hub for the students. The study recommends that it is pertinent for the University of Fort Hare and Rhodes University to meet the needs and expectations of its international students through regular surveys that give them room to speak about their experiences. The need for efficient International Offices at both institutions is crucial as well as the employment of open‐minded multicultural trained staff in these offices. The study also suggests the need for the both institutions to provide affordable and comfortable accommodation for its international students.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Olujobi, Omobola
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Students, Foreign -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social integration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internalization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Rural Development)
- Identifier: vital:11949 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1020183 , Students, Foreign -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social integration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internalization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: International students have become major role players in international education across the globe. Their enrollment in different universities has increased in the past few decades worldwide. Most of these students bring rich cultural diversity and skills to their various host institutions and countries. These trends signal the need to examine and understand international students within the South African context. Against this background, this study explores the factors that influence academic choices of international students, academic and social challenges they face and the role of social capital in influencing international student integration at the Universities of Fort Hare and Rhodes in South Africa. A qualitative research design was employed in this study. Thirty international students were selected (and interviewed) using purposive sampling and snowballing. The study found that some of the main factors that influence the academic choices of international students include availability of scholarships and funding, recommendations of the institution by family and friends, availability of preferred course and the reputation of the institution. Some of the main challenges faced by international students in these two institutions include language barriers, financial difficulty, expensive but improperly maintained accommodation and culture shock. These challenges impede the smooth integration of international students into their new academic and social environment. However, the students employ several strategies in attempt to address the challenges they face. These include joining a student or community social organization, community engagement and making friends. These social networks and organizations serve as a support system and connection hub for the students. The study recommends that it is pertinent for the University of Fort Hare and Rhodes University to meet the needs and expectations of its international students through regular surveys that give them room to speak about their experiences. The need for efficient International Offices at both institutions is crucial as well as the employment of open‐minded multicultural trained staff in these offices. The study also suggests the need for the both institutions to provide affordable and comfortable accommodation for its international students.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The role of local government in the basic education system: the case of the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Kivedo, Desmond
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1037 , vital:26521
- Description: The purpose of this study was to determine the role Local Government can play in the Department of Basic Education with the aim of addressing the enormous challenges faced by the Department of Basic Education with specific reference to the Province of the Eastern Cape. Currently the Department of Education in the Eastern Cape gets regular media coverage for the wrong reasons. Problems highlighted by the media normally include the following; over-crowded classrooms; mud schools; lack of ablution facilities at schools; delays in delivery of text books and stationary; shortage of teachers; unpaid teachers and the bungles with school transport and school nutrition programmes. Currently the National Government and Provincial Government have jurisdiction over basic education. An in-depth literature study was conducted in order to get insight in the Department of Basic Education in the Eastern Cape with its numerous problems and challenges that are crippling education in the province. The researcher also deemed it necessary to conduct an in-depth literature study on Local Government’s role in the education system in other countries e.g. USA, Wales, Great Britain and Nigeria where education is managed and financed by Local Government. Empirical studies were done through face-to-face interviews with the sample population from school principals, teachers, education specialists, administration officials and parents serving on School Governing Bodies in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole. The findings of the study suggested that Local Government is not yet in a favourable position to control the entire Department of Basic Education, although certain functions can be shifted to Local Government e.g. school transport, school nutrition programme; teachers’ salaries. The general feeling is that councilors at Local Government level are more likely to be aware of and sympathetic to the needs of their communities than Ministers and MEC’s. Through the relevant data the researcher has drawn certain conclusions and recommendations were made to alleviate the plight of education in the Province of the Eastern Cape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Kivedo, Desmond
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1037 , vital:26521
- Description: The purpose of this study was to determine the role Local Government can play in the Department of Basic Education with the aim of addressing the enormous challenges faced by the Department of Basic Education with specific reference to the Province of the Eastern Cape. Currently the Department of Education in the Eastern Cape gets regular media coverage for the wrong reasons. Problems highlighted by the media normally include the following; over-crowded classrooms; mud schools; lack of ablution facilities at schools; delays in delivery of text books and stationary; shortage of teachers; unpaid teachers and the bungles with school transport and school nutrition programmes. Currently the National Government and Provincial Government have jurisdiction over basic education. An in-depth literature study was conducted in order to get insight in the Department of Basic Education in the Eastern Cape with its numerous problems and challenges that are crippling education in the province. The researcher also deemed it necessary to conduct an in-depth literature study on Local Government’s role in the education system in other countries e.g. USA, Wales, Great Britain and Nigeria where education is managed and financed by Local Government. Empirical studies were done through face-to-face interviews with the sample population from school principals, teachers, education specialists, administration officials and parents serving on School Governing Bodies in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole. The findings of the study suggested that Local Government is not yet in a favourable position to control the entire Department of Basic Education, although certain functions can be shifted to Local Government e.g. school transport, school nutrition programme; teachers’ salaries. The general feeling is that councilors at Local Government level are more likely to be aware of and sympathetic to the needs of their communities than Ministers and MEC’s. Through the relevant data the researcher has drawn certain conclusions and recommendations were made to alleviate the plight of education in the Province of the Eastern Cape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Examining the role of local government County legislative council in promoting service delivery in South Sudan, case of Yei River County, Central Equatoria State
- Authors: Oba Cicilia Tito Towongo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Human services -- South Sudan , Poor -- Services for -- South Sudan , Finance, Public -- South Sudan , Local government -- South Sudan , Municipal services -- South Sudan , South Sudan -- Politics and government , South Sudan -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11664 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007097 , Human services -- South Sudan , Poor -- Services for -- South Sudan , Finance, Public -- South Sudan , Local government -- South Sudan , Municipal services -- South Sudan , South Sudan -- Politics and government , South Sudan -- Economic conditions
- Description: This Study was conducted in Yei River County, Central Equatoria State the Republic of South Sudan from July-December/2012 under the topic: Examining the role of Local Government County Legislative Council in promoting service delivery. The Legislative Council in Yei was established since 2007 inaccordance with the provisions of the Transition Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011:166, LG Act, 2009:8-29 and Governors’ Decree dated 25/August/2007 with the mandate to enact laws and policies and supervise the Executive to implement its decisions. The study investigated into why there was under performance of Legislative Council in promoting service delivery in Yei River County (YRC) and how can service delivery be improved in YRC. The findings revealed that, the capacity of the Council is low in making appropriate decisions and supervising the Executive to implement its decisions, it lacks the necessary working requirements to facilitate its duties, some of its directives are not implemented by the Executive and negative attitudes towards the work of the Council by some members of the Executive. Despite the difficulties encountered, the Council was able to enact 31 laws, conducted some joint consultative meetings on County projects and the study recommended that, the relevant institutions of Local Government to review the irregularities in the Local Government Act of 2009 to regulate the duties of the Council and to guide the recruitment of the future Councillors, training of the Councillors to improve performance, improve the working conditions of the Council, conduct public awareness on the role of the Council and promotion of exchange programs for further learning purposes. The significance of this study is that, the topic was good according to the participants, the recommendations of the study may be adopted by the Local Government Authorities to address the identified gaps and challenges facing the Council not only in Yei River County but also in other parts of the Country and finally, the report may be used by the University of Fort Hare for further Academic purposes and/or other interested individuals/institutions or organizations of the same or similar objectives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Oba Cicilia Tito Towongo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Human services -- South Sudan , Poor -- Services for -- South Sudan , Finance, Public -- South Sudan , Local government -- South Sudan , Municipal services -- South Sudan , South Sudan -- Politics and government , South Sudan -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11664 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007097 , Human services -- South Sudan , Poor -- Services for -- South Sudan , Finance, Public -- South Sudan , Local government -- South Sudan , Municipal services -- South Sudan , South Sudan -- Politics and government , South Sudan -- Economic conditions
- Description: This Study was conducted in Yei River County, Central Equatoria State the Republic of South Sudan from July-December/2012 under the topic: Examining the role of Local Government County Legislative Council in promoting service delivery. The Legislative Council in Yei was established since 2007 inaccordance with the provisions of the Transition Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011:166, LG Act, 2009:8-29 and Governors’ Decree dated 25/August/2007 with the mandate to enact laws and policies and supervise the Executive to implement its decisions. The study investigated into why there was under performance of Legislative Council in promoting service delivery in Yei River County (YRC) and how can service delivery be improved in YRC. The findings revealed that, the capacity of the Council is low in making appropriate decisions and supervising the Executive to implement its decisions, it lacks the necessary working requirements to facilitate its duties, some of its directives are not implemented by the Executive and negative attitudes towards the work of the Council by some members of the Executive. Despite the difficulties encountered, the Council was able to enact 31 laws, conducted some joint consultative meetings on County projects and the study recommended that, the relevant institutions of Local Government to review the irregularities in the Local Government Act of 2009 to regulate the duties of the Council and to guide the recruitment of the future Councillors, training of the Councillors to improve performance, improve the working conditions of the Council, conduct public awareness on the role of the Council and promotion of exchange programs for further learning purposes. The significance of this study is that, the topic was good according to the participants, the recommendations of the study may be adopted by the Local Government Authorities to address the identified gaps and challenges facing the Council not only in Yei River County but also in other parts of the Country and finally, the report may be used by the University of Fort Hare for further Academic purposes and/or other interested individuals/institutions or organizations of the same or similar objectives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Strategies used to implement the national guidelines on preventing and early management of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) at the buffalo city municipality clinics in East London Eastern Cape province
- Authors: Giyose, Patela
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1297 , vital:26544
- Description: The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the strategies used by nurses to implement the national treatment guidelines to prevent, detect and manage multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients. Tuberculosis remains one of the leading infectious diseases and the major cause of death worldwide with estimates of 9.2 million new TB cases in 2008 and 1.7 deaths including 200 000 in clients co-infected with HIV. South Africa is currently ranked 3rd among the 22 high TB burden countries in the world. The HIV/AIDS epidemic contributes significantly to the upward trend in TB morbidity and it is estimated that more than 50% of TB patients are also HIV positive (South African Department of Health 2009:10). The current rate of tuberculosis infections as a result of new infections as well as re-infections of patients is of concern to the disease control and policy making bodies of South Africa. Questions regarding the effectiveness of tuberculosis policies and programmes emerge at all times (Luhulima, Netshandama and Davhana-Maselesele, 2008: 36). Patients with multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) are at high risk of treatment failure. It is anticipated that early identification of MDR-TB and appropriate treatment will improve patient outcome and disease control. This study intends to explore the effectiveness of health systems in the prompt identification and management of MDR patients. This study was conducted using a qualitative, explorative and descriptive design. A purposive sample of clinics and professional nurses was selected, and voluntary participation was ensured. The data was collected through individual interviews which were audio taped and then transcribed verbatim. Findings revealed that MDR-TB guidelines were available at the clinics. The professional nurses implemented the guidelines to prevent, detect and manage multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, by screening and testing symptomatic high risk groups, contact tracing and monitoring, providing initial counselling and education to patients and family, preparing patients for admission when indicated and coordinating referrals to the centralised MDR-TB unit. However, there were notable constraints with regards to the management of MDR-TB patients and the overall TB programme. These included MDR-TB specific training, staff shortages, dysfunctional community DOT programme, shortage of beds at the MDR-TB treatment centres, and patient factors like defaulting, migration for various reasons, alcoholism. All these constraints call for intensified strategic management at both policy and facility level. It is also necessary that all policies related to patient management need extensive scientific study to monitor and evaluate their effectiveness. More research studies are required on policy analysis and utilization.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Giyose, Patela
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1297 , vital:26544
- Description: The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the strategies used by nurses to implement the national treatment guidelines to prevent, detect and manage multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients. Tuberculosis remains one of the leading infectious diseases and the major cause of death worldwide with estimates of 9.2 million new TB cases in 2008 and 1.7 deaths including 200 000 in clients co-infected with HIV. South Africa is currently ranked 3rd among the 22 high TB burden countries in the world. The HIV/AIDS epidemic contributes significantly to the upward trend in TB morbidity and it is estimated that more than 50% of TB patients are also HIV positive (South African Department of Health 2009:10). The current rate of tuberculosis infections as a result of new infections as well as re-infections of patients is of concern to the disease control and policy making bodies of South Africa. Questions regarding the effectiveness of tuberculosis policies and programmes emerge at all times (Luhulima, Netshandama and Davhana-Maselesele, 2008: 36). Patients with multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) are at high risk of treatment failure. It is anticipated that early identification of MDR-TB and appropriate treatment will improve patient outcome and disease control. This study intends to explore the effectiveness of health systems in the prompt identification and management of MDR patients. This study was conducted using a qualitative, explorative and descriptive design. A purposive sample of clinics and professional nurses was selected, and voluntary participation was ensured. The data was collected through individual interviews which were audio taped and then transcribed verbatim. Findings revealed that MDR-TB guidelines were available at the clinics. The professional nurses implemented the guidelines to prevent, detect and manage multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, by screening and testing symptomatic high risk groups, contact tracing and monitoring, providing initial counselling and education to patients and family, preparing patients for admission when indicated and coordinating referrals to the centralised MDR-TB unit. However, there were notable constraints with regards to the management of MDR-TB patients and the overall TB programme. These included MDR-TB specific training, staff shortages, dysfunctional community DOT programme, shortage of beds at the MDR-TB treatment centres, and patient factors like defaulting, migration for various reasons, alcoholism. All these constraints call for intensified strategic management at both policy and facility level. It is also necessary that all policies related to patient management need extensive scientific study to monitor and evaluate their effectiveness. More research studies are required on policy analysis and utilization.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
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