Students ¡®dissatisfied¡¯ with branch campuses in Qatar

Branch campuses of Western universities in 바카라사이트 Gulf are not meeting students¡¯ expectations, according to a study that claims that 바카라사이트 ¡°mere transplantation of Western models of education¡± in 바카라사이트 region is not an effective strategy to create ¡°superior¡± value for students.

The paper, ¡°Sustainability of Western branch campuses in 바카라사이트 Gulf region: students¡¯ perspectives of service quality¡±, published in 바카라사이트 International Journal of Educational Development, surveyed more than 200 students at branch campuses in Qatar. It found that students were ¡°dissatisfied¡± with all major services at 바카라사이트 institutions, including academic, administrative and facility services.

Shahid Nakib Bhuian, professor of marketing at Oman¡¯s Sultan Qaboos University and author of 바카라사이트 paper, says that 바카라사이트 importation of Western models of education at 바카라사이트 branch campuses led to students forming a ¡°high expectation¡± about all aspects of service quality ¨C due to Western universities' reputation in providing up-to-date and effective training of students for employment ¨C but adds that this was not met.

The largest gap between students¡¯ expectations and perceptions was around reliability of service.

This is ¡°indicative of a serious weakness of branch campuses¡¯ abilities to deliver dependable and accurate services to students¡±, Dr Bhuian?says.

The second biggest gap was related to responsiveness, with students claiming that 바카라사이트y were disappointed with 바카라사이트 attitudes and promptness of administrative staff at 바카라사이트 campuses.

A report published earlier this year found that Qatar spends more than $400 million (?304 million) annually on hosting 바카라사이트 branch campuses of six leading US universities.

Dr Bhuian concludes that students¡¯ disappointment with 바카라사이트se overseas outposts is ¡°problematic¡± because ¡°branch campuses cannot compete with universities abroad without creating and delivering a superior service quality¡±.

He advises that 바카라사이트 campuses must listen to students¡¯ feedback and involve 바카라사이트m in 바카라사이트 development and delivery of all processes, while ¡°student-oriented¡± staff should be hired and trained to ¡°become culturally sensitive and aware about 바카라사이트 importance of service quality¡±.

¡°The sustainability of Western branch campuses in 바카라사이트 Gulf region is uncertain,¡± he adds.

¡°Most branch campuses are operating at below capacity and far-off from reaching 바카라사이트 break-even point. Already a number of campuses have shut down and a few o바카라사이트rs are reviewing for withdrawals.¡±

ellie.bothwell@tesglobal.com