graduates exit survey spring 2015 - auc intranet - home · 2016-04-05 · summer 2012 fall 2012...

GRADUATES EXIT SURVEY SPRING 2015 AUGUST 2015

Prepared by the Office of Data Analytics and Institutional Research (DAIR)

The American University in Cairo

www.aucegypt.edu

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

Executive Summary ______________________________________________________________________________________ 1

Part I: General Demographic Information _____________________________________________________________ 2

Part II: Academic Experience __________________________________________________________________________ 21

Part III: Non Academic Experience and Overall Rating ______________________________________________ 30

Part IV: Comments and Suggestions for Improvement _______________________________________________ 37

GRADUATES EXIT SURVEY – SPRING 2015

Page 1

Executive Summary

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the Graduate Student Exit Survey is to assess opinions of graduate students about their experience at AUC. The Graduate Student Exit Survey was developed by the Office of Data Analytics and Institutional Research (DAIR) and the Office of Graduate Studies.

On May 27, 2015, DAIR emailed survey invitations to 231 graduate students. Three survey email reminders were sent on June 3, 7 and 9, 2015, and the survey remained accessible until June 17, 2015. Upon closing the survey, 125 students had completed it, for a response rate of 54.1%.

METHODOLOGY AND ORGANIZATION OF THE REPORT

This report consists of four parts:

Part I: General demographic information presented as frequencies and charts.

Part II: Questions regarding graduate students’ academic experience, in addition to the overall students’ rating to some academic aspects presented as frequencies and charts.

Part III: Questions regarding graduate students’ non-academic experience, in addition to the overall students’ rating to some academic aspects presented as frequencies and charts.

Part IV: Respondents’ comments and suggestions for improvement


Page 2

Part I: General Demographic Information

PLEASE IDENTIFY YOURSELF (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)

ANSWER OPTIONS YES NO TOTAL MISSING

Ph.D. from a university in Egypt 1 41 42 83

2% 98% 100% 66%

Ph.D. from a university outside Egypt 2 41 43 82

5% 95% 100% 66%

Master's degree from a university in Egypt other than AUC 3 40 43 82

7% 93% 100% 66%

Master's degree from a university outside Egypt 4 40 44 81

9% 91% 100% 65%

AUC Staff 5 40 45 80

11% 89% 100% 64%

AUC Faculty 9 36 45 80

20% 80% 100% 64%

Bachelor's degree from a university outside Egypt 14 33 47 78

30% 70% 100% 62%

Bachelor’s degree from AUC 26 33 59 66

44% 56% 100% 53%

Bachelor's degree from a university in Egypt other than AUC

46 16 62 63

74% 26% 100% 50%

Master's degree (MA/MSC) from AUC 109 5 114 11

96% 4% 100% 9%

2%

5%

7%

9%

11%

20%

30%

44%

74%

96%

Ph.D. from a university in Egypt

Ph.D. from a university outside Egypt

Master's degree from a university in Egypt other than AUC

Master's degree from a university outside Egypt

AUC Staff

AUC Faculty

Bachelor's degree from a university outside Egypt

Bachelor’s degree from AUC

Bachelor's degree from a university in Egypt other than AUC

Master's degree (MA/MSC) from AUC

Students' Categories


Page 3

IF YOU ARE NOT AUC ALUMNI, PLEASE SPECIFY THE NAME AND THE LOCATION OF YOUR

UNDERGRADUATE INSTITUTION:

UNIVERSITY COUNT

Ain Shams University 5

Ain Shams University - Mechanical Engineering 1

Ain Shams University, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo Egypt 1

Ain Shams University, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt. 1

Alexandria University 2

American University of Beirut - MBA / University of Jordan BA 1

American University of Sharjah 1

BA from Károli Gáspár University of the Hungarian Reformed Church, Hungary 1

Business School - Accounting Department 1

Cairo University 7

Cairo University, Faculty of arts, English department 1

Carleton University, Ottawa - Canada 1

Damascus university- Damascus, Syria 1

Department of Chemistry - Faculty of Science - Alexandria University 1

English Literature 1

Faculty of Alsun 1

Faculty of Economics and Political Sciences, Cairo University 4

Faculty of Education Sohag University 1

Faculty of medicine- menufia university 1

Faculty of Pharmacy at Cairo University - Giza - Egypt 1

Faculty of Pharmacy Tanta University 1

Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University 1

German University in Cairo (GUC), Cairo, Egypt 1

Misr International University 3

Modern Sciences and Arts University 1

Tangaza University - Nairobi (Kenya) 1

The Cillege of St. Scholastics, Duluth, MN, USA 1

Universite Saint Joseph- Beirut 1

University of California, Irvine 1

University of Florida 1

Wichita State University Wichita, KS USA 1


Page 4

FULL TIME/ PART TIME STUDENT

ANSWER OPTIONS FREQUENCY PERCENT

Full-time student - 3 courses per semester 82 67%

Part-time student - less than 3 courses 40 33%

Total 122 100%

Missing 3 2%

67%

33%

Full-time student - 3 courses per semester Part-time student - less than 3 courses

Students' Status


Page 5

STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

ACADEMIC PROGRAM FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Arabic Language Institute 0 0.0%

Arabic Studies 3 2.7%

Biotechnology 2 1.8%

Center for Arabic Study Abroad 0 0.0%

Chemistry 6 5.3%

Community Psychology 0 0.0%

Computer Science 2 1.8%

Computing 1 0.9%

Construction Engineering 5 4.4%

Counseling Psychology 4 3.5%

Economics 0 0.0%

Economics in International Development 3 2.7%

Egyptology & Coptology 0 0.0%

Electronics Engineering 2 1.8%

English & Comparative Literature 5 4.4%

Environmental Engineering 1 0.9%

Environmental System Design 1 0.9%

Family and Child Counseling 0 0.0%

Finance 5 4.4%

Gender and Women's Studies in ME 3 2.7%

History 0 0.0%

International & Comparative Education 7 6.2%

International & Comparative Law 0 0.0%

International Human Rights Law 1 0.9%

Journalism & Mass Communication 4 3.5%

MA in Public Administration 3 2.7%

MA of Laws 2 1.8%

Master in Public Policy 5 4.4%

Master of Business Administration 6 5.3%

Master of Global Affairs 4 3.5%

Master of Public Policy & Administration 4 3.5%

Mechanical Engineering 3 2.7%

Middle East Studies 3 2.7%

Migration and Refugee Studies 1 0.9%

Nanotechnology 2 1.8%

PhD in Applied Science 0 0.0%

PhD in Engineering 0 0.0%

Physics 1 0.9%

Political Science 7 6.2%


Page 6

Product Development and Systems Management 0 0.0%

Robotics, Control & Smart Systems 0 0.0%

Sociology Anthropology 3 2.7%

Teaching Arabic As a Foreign Language 5 4.4%

Teaching English As a Foreign Language 9 8.0%

TV. & Digital Journalism 0 0.0%

Total 113 100.0%

Missing 12 9.6%

0.9%

0.9%

0.9%

0.9%

0.9%

0.9%

1.8%

1.8%

1.8%

1.8%

1.8%

2.7%

2.7%

2.7%

2.7%

2.7%

2.7%

2.7%

3.5%

3.5%

3.5%

3.5%

4.4%

4.4%

4.4%

4.4%

4.4%

5.3%

5.3%

6.2%

6.2%

8.0%

Computing

Environmental Engineering

Environmental System Design

International Human Rights Law

Migration and Refugee Studies

Physics

Biotechnology

Computer Science

Electronics Engineering

MA of Laws

Nanotechnology

Arabic Studies

Economics in International Development

Gender and Women's Studies in ME

MA in Public Administration

Mechanical Engineering

Middle East Studies

Sociology Anthropology

Counseling Psychology

Journalism & Mass Communication

Master of Global Affairs

Master of Public Policy & Administration

Construction Engineering

English & Comparative Literature

Finance

Master in Public Policy

Teaching Arabic As a Foreign Language

Chemistry

Master of Business Administration

International & Comparative Education

Political Science

Teaching English As a Foreign Language

Students' Academic Major


Page 7

DUAL DEGREE STUDENTS

FIRST PROGRAM SECOND PROGRAM1 FREQUENCY

MA of Laws International & Human Rights Law

1

Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language

Teaching English as a Foreign Language

1

GRADUATE ENROLLMENT BY SEMESTER

TERM FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Fall 2008 4 3.4%

Spring 2009 3 2.6%

Fall 2009 3 2.6%

Spring 2010 2 1.7%

Fall 2010 9 7.7%

Spring 2011 8 6.8%

Fall 2011 12 10.3%

Spring 2012 9 7.7%

Summer 2012 0 0.0%

Fall 2012 26 22.2%

Spring 2013 12 10.3%

Fall 2013 28 23.9%

Spring 2014 1 0.9%

Fall 2014 0 0.0%

Total 117 100.0%

Missing 8 6.4%

1 Student Mistake: One student reported “MA of Laws” as his second program while leaving the first program blank


Page 8

STUDENT NATIONALITY AND COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

NATIONALITY FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Canada 3 2.5%

Egypt 95 77.9%

Hungary 1 0.8%

India 1 0.8%

Italy 1 0.8%

Jordan 1 0.8%

Lebanon 1 0.8%

Mexico 1 0.8%

Morocco 1 0.8%

Saudi Arabia 1 0.8%

Spain 1 0.8%

Sudan 2 1.6%

Syrian Arab Republic 1 0.8%

United States of America 12 9.8%

Total 122 100.0%

Missing 3 2.4%

3.4%

2.6%

2.6%

1.7%

7.7%

6.8%

10.3%

7.7%

0.0%

22.2%

10.3%

23.9%

0.9%

Fall 2008

Spring 2009

Fall 2009

Spring 2010

Fall 2010

Spring 2011

Fall 2011

Spring 2012

Summer 2012

Fall 2012

Spring 2013

Fall 2013

Spring 2014

Graduate Enrollment: By Semester


Page 9

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Canada 2 1.7%

Egypt 93 76.9%

Hungary 1 0.8%

India 1 0.8%

Italy 1 0.8%

Jordan 1 0.8%

Kenya 1 0.8%

Lebanon 1 0.8%

Mexico 1 0.8%

Morocco 1 0.8%

Panama 1 0.8%

Russian Federation 1 0.8%

Saudi Arabia 3 2.5%

Spain 1 0.8%

Sudan 1 0.8%

United States of America 11 9.1%

Total 121 100.0%

Missing 4 3.2%

2.5%

77.9%

0.8%

0.8%

0.8%

0.8%

0.8%

0.8%

0.8%

0.8%

0.8%

1.6%

0.8%

9.8%

100.0%

2.4%

Canada

Egypt

Hungary

India

Italy

Jordan

Lebanon

Mexico

Morocco

Saudi Arabia

Spain

Sudan

Syrian Arab Republic

United States of America

Total

Missing

Students' Nationality


Page 10

STUDENT GENDER

GENDER FREQUENCY PERCENT

Male 44 37.0%

Female 75 63.0%

Total 119 100%

Missing 6 4.8%

1.7%

76.9%

0.8%

0.8%

0.8%

0.8%

0.8%

0.8%

0.8%

0.8%

0.8%

0.8%

2.5%

0.8%

0.8%

9.1%

Canada

Egypt

Hungary

India

Italy

Jordan

Kenya

Lebanon

Mexico

Morocco

Panama

Russian Federation

Saudi Arabia

Spain

Sudan

United States of America

Students' Country of Origin

37.0%

63.0%

Male Female

Students' Gender


Page 11

STUDENT AGE RANGE

AGE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Under 25 13 11.1%

25-29 57 48.7%

30-34 31 26.5%

35-45 14 12.0%

Over 45 2 1.7%

Total 117 100.0%

Missing 8 6.4%

STUDENTS’ MARITAL STATUS

MARITAL STATUS FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Single 77 65.3%

Married 39 33.1%

Divorced 2 1.7%

Separated 0 0.0%

Widowed 0 0.0%

Total 118 100.0%

Missing 7 5.6%

Under 25 25-29 30-34 35-45 Over 45

Students' Age Range

65.3%

33.1%

1.7%

Single Married Divorced

Marital Status


Page 12

MA/ MS STUDENT AND FUTURE PH.D. ENROLLMENT

FOR MA/MS STUDENTS: WILL YOU PURSUE A PH.D. PROGRAM?

FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Yes 50 42.0%

No 14 11.8%

Don't know 55 46.2%

Total 119 100.0%

Missing 6 4.8%

IF YOUR ANSWER IS "YES", WHICH INSTITUTION(S) AND PHD PROGRAM(S) YOU WISH TO JOIN?

1. 1- AUC if available 2- outside Egypt

2. Anthropology; the US

3. But if yes, it will still be AUC or maybe another like Masdar Institute in Abu Dhabi. But AUC will be a priority. The Chemistry department has really made a big change in my life.

4. Cambridge, Oxford, Columbia , Yale

5. Chemistry

6. Don't know

7. Economics in International Development

8. Education

9. Education or Linguistics

10. European Universities Financial Economics

11. European University Institute - Doctoral Programme in Law

12. Harvard

42.0%

11.8%

46.2%

Yes No Don't know

Will you pursue a Ph.D. program?


Page 13

13. Hope to obtain it from AUC

14. I am still searching for PhD options whether in Egypt or abroad, but it generally should be whether in public policy or in political science

15. I didn't decide yet.

16. I have already been accepted in University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Canada Mechanical Engineering

17. I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics, but I still don't know in which institution.

18. i still don't know

19. I will be attending the University of Marburg and the University of Aix-Marseille in a joint program.

20. I.E. Harvard Kings College Manchester university

21. If AUC will open a P.hD program on Political Science, I will apply immediately.

22. In the US and UK (e.g. Harvard, Yale, Cambridge and Oxford)

23. Institute of Education, UCL London. UK

24. International Studies/Affairs or Political Science, something in the States

25. I've been admitted to U Arizona, Middle Eastern and North African Studies

26. JNU- Delhi Labor and informal Sector Center

27. New

28. New York University Berkeley University

29. Not determined

30. not sure yet but outside Egypt

31. Not sure! I'm thinking of Germany or the Satets

32. PhD in architecture

33. PHD in POLS University of Tubingen, Germany

34. PhD in Public Policy and Administration

35. Politics and International Studies-SOA

36. Sanford school of public policy- Duke University Kennedy school of government- Harvard University Evans school of public affairs- University of Washington

37. Sciences Po

38. Still searching for one

39. U.S.A, Canada, or Europe

40. undecided yet.

41. Will still search.


Page 14

PH.D STUDENT ENROLLMENT AT AUC

PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: - ARE YOU ENROLLED IN AUC'S PHD PROGRAM?


Yes 1 5.6%

No 17 94.4%

Response Count 18 100.0%

Missing 107 85.6%

IF "YES", HOW MANY YEARS DID IT TAKE FOR YOU TO GET YOUR PHD FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

3 0 0.0%

4 1 100.0%

5 0 0.0%

6 0 0.0%

7 0 0.0%

8 0 0.0%

9 0 0.0%

>10 0 0.0%

Total 1 100.0%

Missing 0 0.0%

AUC TUITION

HOW DID YOU COVER THE COST OF YOUR TUITION AT AUC? FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Commercial bank loans 0 0.0%

Outside donor (Ford Foundation, Fulbright, your employer, etc.) 4 3.4%

Federal Student AID (FAFSA) 5 4.2%

AUC Financial aid (work study/assistantships or tuition discount) 11 9.3%

AUC Staff/Faculty Scholarship 14 11.9%

Personal fund 31 26.3%

AUC Fellowship 53 44.9%

Total 118 100.0%

Missing 7 5.6%


Page 15

OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY)

Family and Parents (2)

1. Family

2. Parents

Combination of Fellowship and Personal Funding (4)

1. It was a combination of personal funding for the first 2.5 years and an AUC fellowship in the last year / 2

semesters

2. A Year Personal Fund, and a Year Fellowship

3. fellowship covered the second year, while I paid for the first year myself

4. A combination of personal funding, work study assistantships, and department fellowships

Combination of Fellowship and Financial Aid (4)

1. AUC Fellowship and Federal Student AID

2. financial aid and partial fellowship

3. AUC fellowship and financial aid

4. AUC Financial aid and AUC Fellowship

Others (10)

1. financial aid from auc

2. I paid my self until my savings finished then relied on the generous tuition discount

3. Jameel Fellowship

4. Personal Fund during last semester

5. And loans.

6. AUC Fellowship in my first semester

7. US Loans

8. In addition to outside sources

9. financial aid

3.4%

4.2%

9.3%

11.9%

26.3%

44.9%

Outside donor (Ford Foundation, Fulbright, your employer,etc.)

Federal Student AID (FAFSA)

AUC Financial aid (work study/assistantships or tuitiondiscount)

AUC Staff/Faculty Scholarship

Personal fund

AUC Fellowship

How did you cover the cost of your AUC tuition?


Page 16

GRADUATES’ RECOMMENDATION OF AUC

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AUC TO A FRIEND OR COLLEAGUE CONSIDERING YOUR FIELD OF STUDY?


Definitely 72 59.0%

Probably 29 23.8%

Maybe 16 13.1%

Definitely not 5 4.1%

Total 122 100.0%

Missing 3 2.4%

ELABORATION

Neutral - Depending on program of choice (2)

1. I think this highly depends on the program of choice, the professors (who are mostly of high caliber) giving

the courses and, in my opinion the most important factor in a graduate program, the caliber of the candidates

enrolled in said program.

2. In Masters in Public Policy and Administration it is important to do it in the country you want to work in as it

gives deeper context and perspective.

Neutral - Good quality of Education with administration bureaucracy (2)

1. My department was excellent, and I had an amazing experience educationally. However, in dealing with the

bureaucracy of the university, I had mostly bad experiences. The level of service on an administrative level in

dealing with the various offices of the university was terrible and not at all comparable to the same units in

American universities. If it was not for the administration within my department and its secretaries, the

process of getting things done would have been a nightmare.

59.0%

23.8%

13.1%

4.1%

Definitely

Probably

Maybe

Definitely not

Would you recommend AUC to a friend or colleague considering your field of study?


Page 17

2. It would depend on what they are hoping to do. While the faculty are fantastic, dealing with the

Administration and watching them bend over for undergraduate students while screwing over graduate

students gets frustrating. If Cairo is the right place to be for their studies, it may be worth dealing with an

administration that treats students whose parent's are not wealthy potential donors like they don't matter.

Neutral – Various reasons (4)

1. Great campus, interesting courses, terrible location

2. Good education, though expensive.

3. I would recommend only if he/she was granted a scholarship.

4. AUC has incredible benefits - like being able to study in an accredited institution in the Middle East. However,

they have significant weaknesses which should also be considered as well.

Positive – Quality of Education (16)

1. This program offered me a great opportunity in widening the scope of my understanding to the topic studied.

The facilities of AUC also provide a variety of learning tools.

2. The TAFL program at AUC is an important step for someone who wants to become a professional teacher of

Arabic as a Foreign Language.

3. I believe that the MA Counseling Psychology program was a great and strong program. We have been trained

by high experiences professors and practitioners in the field. The focus on clinical work was especially

powerful and I believe that we are fully equipped to be practicing psychotherapists

4. the specialization I took was helpful for me and I would recommend it to someone looking to follow the same

track

5. If he/she is pursing and MBA in Egypt or the MEA region the definitely AUC

6. I would probably do that as I benefited from studying at my home country, auc is just the best we can get.

7. the study at GAPP was really enjoyable, where interdisciplinary studies are possible with a large variety of

option for spending a semester abroad in prestigious international university

8. The program is good

9. AUC is the best inside Egypt

10. A very successful program, knowledgable professors, and interesting material

11. I would recommend it especially if their research focuses on Egypt or the Middle East.

12. The educational standards at AUC are outstanding compared to other higher education facilities available in

the region. The AUC provided mentorship by highly qualified professors of all nationalities which indicates

choices based on efficiency rather than nationality, creed, or color.

13. The TESOL program TOGETHER with the TESOL fellowship is definitely an asset to AUC!

I enrolled in the program and the fellowship with virtually no teaching experience and have grown as a

teacher ever since. My program has equipped me with the necessary skills and knowledge about the

profession and the fellowship enriched my development with valuable teaching experience.

14. Facilities, equipment and academic staff. Variety of research disciplines and personnel choice. Recent courses

and productive environment.

15. This is the only public policy program in Egypt. In addition, the program is very well designed and covers

different topics in the area of public policy

16. The courses are interesting and the professors are organized and hard working.

Negative – Quality of Education (5)


Page 18

1. I would never recommend AUC to any of my colleagues to pursue a Master's or PhD program in the field of

sciences. This because AUC proved that it does not have enough facilities to support research programs for

science students. Labs are not well equipped to help us conduct advanced experiments. We also faced lots of

bureaucracy and paper work to receive chemicals and materials for our research work. AUC would be helpful

only if the enrolled student had the opportunity to travel abroad to finish his/her practical work. Other than

this option, pursuing Master's or PhD degree in AUC is waste of time!

2. my expectations were much higher but at the cost of an MBA at AUC versus others, I dont think it is really

worth it.

3. The program is very poorly designed. It is the longest master program in all of AUC and takes a minimum of

2.5 to 3 years to finish which is absolutely ridiculous. The content is repetitive and adds very little value to the

students. The requirement of both comprehensive exams AND a thesis is excessive and creates unnecessary

stress. Especially that most programs only require one or the other. There is also very little training or

preparation for thesis writing throughout the program.

4. Weak program. Shocked from the quality of the teaching staff. Shortage in the teaching staff

5. After Dr. Smith left the program has not been as good in regards to research and courses

Negative – Foreigner difficulties (1)

1. The mandatory arabic exam is extremely difficult for foreigners and it is holding most of us back from

graduation... It is an obstacle for us moving on. It makes no sense since the program does not include arabic

courses at all and they expect an extremely high level of fus7a from us.

The exam is absurd and useless... This I will tell my friends. AUB does not have this absurd requirement and

hence, I will recommend it better than auc

Negative – Education not worth the tuition cost (1)

1. your fees aer way overboard and the sustainable development program is still starting and has a long way to

go till it's established correctly, so while i liked the program I would probably recommend those only who can

get a fellowship as your fees are very expensive considering that the program is not perfect, anyone can go

study abroad with the same fees and better quality

Others (1)

1. Because it is a multidisciplinary program

GRADUATES’ CURRENT EMPLOYMENT STATUS

EMPLOYMENT STATUS FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Unemployed 11 9.1%

Employed part time 12 9.9%

Seeking employment 32 26.4%

Employed full time 66 54.5%

Total 121 100.0%

Missing 4 3.2%


Page 19

EFFECT OF GRADUATE DEGREE ON STUDENT SALARY

HAS YOUR AUC GRADUATE DEGREE HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOUR SALARY?


Yes 35 29.2%

No 30 25.0%

Not Applicable 55 45.8%

Total 120 1.0%

Missing 5 4.0%

WORK EXPERIENCE

RANGE OF YEARS: FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Less than 3 years 63 52.9%

3-5 years 25 21.0%

6-10 years 26 21.8%

11-15 years 3 2.5%

More than 15 years 2 1.7%

Total 119 100.0%

Missing 6 4.8%

9.1%

9.9%

26.4%

54.5%

Unemployed

Employed part time

Seeking employment

Employed full time

Student Employment Status

29.2% 25.0%

45.8%

Yes No Not Applicable

Has your AUC graduate degree had a positive impact on your salary?


Page 20

52.9%

21.0%

21.8%

2.5%

1.7%

Less than 3 years

3-5 years

6-10 years

11-15 years

More than 15 years

Work Experience at the Beginning of the Graduate Program


Page 21

Part II: Academic Experience

THESIS

IS WRITING A THESIS PART OF YOUR DEGREE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS?


No 25 21.0%

Yes 94 79.0%

Total 119 100.0%

Missing 6 4.8%

LEVEL OF SATISFACTION WITH SOME QUESTIONS RELATED TO STUDENTS' THESIS

COMBINED SATISFIED

NEUTRAL COMBINED DISSATISFIED

N/A TOTAL MISSING

Ability to identify a suitable thesis supervisor

82 6 7 2 97 28

84.54% 6.19% 7.22% 2.06% 100% 22.4%

Availability of a thesis supervisor

75 8 13 2 98 27

77% 8% 13% 2% 100% 21.6%

Availability of readers 68 18 8 4 98 27

69% 18% 8% 4% 100% 21.6%

Quality of thesis supervision 73 5 17 3 98 27

74% 5% 17% 3% 100% 21.6%

Supervisor feedback provided in a timely manner

69 8 19 2 98 27

70% 8% 19% 2% 100% 21.6%

Resources availability 79 8 7 4 98 27

81% 8% 7% 4% 100% 21.6%

Support in data collection 66 20 7 5 98 27

67% 20% 7% 5% 100% 21.6%

Information about copyright 65 18 11 3

97

28

21.0%

79.0%

No

Yes

Is writing a thesis part of your degree program requirements?


Page 22

67% 19% 11% 3% 100% 22.4%

Information about Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the Protection of Human subjects requirements

61 12 10 13 96 29

64% 13% 10% 14% 100% 23.2%

84.54%

76.53%

69.39%

74.49%

70.41%

80.61%

67.35%

67.01%

63.54%

6.19%

8.16%

18.37%

5.10%

8.16%

8.16%

20.41%

18.56%

12.50%

7.22%

13.27%

8.16%

17.35%

19.39%

7.14%

7.14%

11.34%

10.42%

2.06%

2.04%

4.08%

3.06%

2.04%

4.08%

5.10%

3.09%

13.54%

Ability to identify a suitable thesis supervisor

Availability of a thesis supervisor

Availability of readers

Quality of thesis supervision

Supervisor feedback provided in a timely manner

Resources availability

Support in data collection

Information about copyright

Information about Institutional Review Board (IRB) for theProtection of Human subjects requirements

Students' Level of Satisfaction with regards to Thesis Issues

N/A % Combined Dissatisfied % Neutral % Combined satisfied %


Page 23

HOW HELPFUL WAS/WERE YOUR SUPERVISOR(S) FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES?

COMBINED HELPFUL

COMBINED NOT HELPFUL

TOTAL MISSING

a. Identification of a thesis/dissertation research topic

84 12 96 29

87.5% 12.5% 100.0% 23.2%

b. Support in writing a thesis/dissertation proposal

79 15 94 31

84.0% 16.0% 100.0% 24.8%

c. Support in research methodology 82 12 94 31

87.2% 12.8% 100.0% 24.8%

d. Evaluation of thesis progress 78 16 94 31

83.0% 17.0% 100.0% 24.8%

e. Mentoring and academic advising 78 16 94 31

83.0% 17.0% 100.0% 24.8%

87.5%

84.0%

87.2%

83.0%

83.0%

12.5%

16.0%

12.8%

17.0%

17.0%

Identification of a thesis/dissertation research topic

Support in writing a thesis/dissertation proposal

Support in research methodology

Evaluation of thesis progress

Mentoring and academic advising

How helpful was/were your thesis supervisor(s)?

Combined Not Helpful Combined Helpful


Page 24

PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE THESIS SUBMISSION SUPPORT.

YES NO TOTAL MISSING

Have you submitted your thesis to turnitin to check for plagiarism?

49 45 94 31

52.1% 47.9% 100.0% 24.8%

Have you submitted copies of the pre-final draft to thesis supervisor and readers as directed?

90 5 95 30

94.7% 5.3% 100.0% 24.0%

Have you uploaded a soft copy of your thesis to the AUC DAR Repository?

78 17 95 30

82.1% 17.9% 100.0% 24.0%

52.1%

94.7%

82.1%

47.9%

5.3%

17.9%

Have you submitted your thesis to turnitin to check forplagiarism?

Have you submitted copies of the pre-final draft to thesissupervisor and readers as directed?

Have you uploaded a soft copy of your thesis to the AUC DARRepository?

Thesis Submission Support

No % Yes %


Page 25

IF YOU ATTENDED ANY OF THE FOLLOWING WORKSHOPS, PLEASE INDICATE THE LEVEL OF USEFULNESS:

COMBINED USEFUL

COMBINED NOT USEFUL

N/A TOTAL MISSING

Academic integrity and research ethics

67 10 24 101 24

66.3% 9.9% 23.8% 100.0% 19.2%

Presentation skills 26 0 61 87 38

29.9% 0.0% 70.1% 100.0% 30.4%

Thesis proposal writing 40 4 45 89 36

44.9% 4.5% 50.6% 100.0% 28.8%

Research methodology 38 10 43 91 34

41.8% 11.0% 47.3% 100.0% 27.2%

Literature review and abstract 48 5 38 91 34

52.7% 5.5% 41.8% 100.0% 27.2%

Library research guidance 46 7 35 88 37

52.3% 8.0% 39.8% 100.0% 29.6%

Statistical package (SPSS, survey monkey, etc ...)

12 5 66 83 42

14.5% 6.0% 79.5% 100.0% 33.6%

How to apply for Ph.D 9 0 73 82 43

11.0% 0.0% 89.0% 100.0% 34.4%

Grant proposal writing 10 3 68 81 44

12.3% 3.7% 84.0% 100.0% 35.2%


Page 26

66.3%

29.9%

44.9%

41.8%

52.7%

52.3%

14.5%

11.0%

12.3%

9.9%

0.0%

4.5%

11.0%

5.5%

8.0%

6.0%

0.0%

3.7%

23.8%

70.1%

50.6%

47.3%

41.8%

39.8%

79.5%

89.0%

84.0%

Academic integrity and research ethics

Presentation skills

Thesis proposal writing

Research methodology

Literature review and abstract

Library research guidance

Statistical package (SPSS, survey monkey, etc ...)

How to apply for Ph.D

Grant proposal writing

Usefulness Level of Attended Workshops

N/A Combined Not Useful Combined Useful


Page 27

WHICH OF THESE WORKSHOPS WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO YOUR FELLOW COLLEAGUES AS THE MOST

USEFUL?

Academic Integrity and research ethics (9)

Library research guidance (9)

Literature review and abstract (10)

Thesis Proposal writing (7)

Presentation Skills (3)

Statistical package (SPSS, survey monkey, etc ...) (4)

Research methodology (3)

Grant proposal writing (1)

All (2)

None (1)

The few workshops I attended were so basic as to render them completely useless. As a result, I attended no other workshops and would not recommend them to others. Coming into the university having done my undergrad in the US, I was vastly, immensely, incredibly, far more prepared than my Egyptian colleagues. As a result, the workshops were on a most basic level and covered mostly material that I did in high school.

18.4%

18.4%

20.4%

14.3%

6.1%

8.2%

6.1%

2.0%

4.1%

2.0%

Academic Integrity and research ethics

Library research guidance

Literature review and abstract

Thesis Proposal writing

Presentation Skills

Statistical package

Research methodology

Grant proposal writing

All

None

Workshops Recommendation


Page 28

PLEASE RATE THE QUALITY OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING:

COMBINED EXCELLENT AND

VERY GOOD

COMBINED FAIR AND

POOR

GOOD N/A TOTAL MISSING

Your academic advising 76 14 29 0

63.9% 11.8% 24.4% 0.0% 100.0% 4.8%

The graduate program curriculum

78 10 30 0

66.1% 8.5% 25.4% 0.0% 100.0% 5.6%

Opportunities for interaction with faculty

85 5 28 0

72.0% 4.2% 23.7% 0.0% 100.0% 5.6%

Opportunities to work with diverse groups in team projects

79 17 16 6

66.9% 14.4% 13.6% 5.1% 100.0% 5.6%

Opportunities to do research in your area of interest

81 13 22 2

68.6% 11.0% 18.6% 1.7% 100.0% 5.6%

Availability of courses you needed

63 25 29 0

53.8% 21.4% 24.8% 0.0% 100.0% 6.4%

Scheduling of your graduate courses

73 14 32 0

61.3% 11.8% 26.9% 0.0% 100.0% 4.8%

Academic standard of your peers in the program

83 15 20 0

70.3% 12.7% 16.9% 0.0% 100.0% 5.6%

Resources for research 93 5 19 2

78.2% 4.2% 16.0% 1.7% 100.0% 4.8%

Library hours 89 10 19 1

74.8% 8.4% 16.0% 0.8% 100.0% 4.8%


Page 29

63.9%

66.1%

72.0%

66.9%

68.6%

53.8%

61.3%

70.3%

78.2%

74.8%

11.8%

8.5%

4.2%

14.4%

11.0%

21.4%

11.8%

12.7%

4.2%

8.4%

24.4%

25.4%

23.7%

13.6%

18.6%

24.8%

26.9%

16.9%

16.0%

16.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

5.1%

1.7%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

1.7%

0.8%

Your academic advising

The graduate program curriculum

Opportunities for interaction with faculty

Opportunities to work with diverse groups in teamprojects

Opportunities to do research in your area of interest

Availability of courses you needed

Scheduling of your graduate courses

Academic standard of your peers in the program

Resources for research

Library hours

Quality of the Academic Experience

N/A Good Combined Fair and Poor Combined Excellent and Very Good


Page 30

Part III: Non Academic Experience and Overall Rating

PLEASE INDICATE THE EXTENT TO WHICH YOUR GRADUATE EDUCATION AT AUC IS ENHANCING THESE SKILLS

TO A GREAT EXTENT

TO SOME EXTENT

NOT AT ALL

TOTAL MISSING

Become an expert in your field 67 49 4 120 5

55.8% 40.8% 3.3% 100.0% 4.0%

Be up to date with the latest research techniques

65 46 8 119 6

54.6% 38.7% 6.7% 100.0% 4.8%

Write quality papers ready for publication

59 53 6 118 7

50.0% 44.9% 5.1% 100.0% 5.6%

Present research results to an audience of peers or at a conference

68 34 15 117 8

58.1% 29.1% 12.8% 100.0% 6.4%

Write grant proposals 32 51 33 116 9

27.6% 44.0% 28.4% 100.0% 7.2%

Supervise others 41 60 15 116 9

35.3% 51.7% 12.9% 100.0% 7.2%

Become a qualified teacher 58 37 24 119 6

48.7% 31.1% 20.2% 100.0% 4.8%

Collaborate with a team 62 50 8 120 5

51.7% 41.7% 6.7% 100.0% 4.0%

Become a team leader 50 50 17 117 8

42.7% 42.7% 14.5% 100.0% 6.4%

Understand the principles of ethical conduct in research

77 37 5 119 6

64.7% 31.1% 4.2% 100.0% 4.8%

Keep up with current advances in your field

67 47 5 119 6

56.3% 39.5% 4.2% 100.0% 4.8%


Page 31

HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE FOLLOWING?

COMBINED EXCELLENT

& VERY GOOD

GOOD COMBINED FAIR & POOR

TOTAL RATING AVERAGE

MISSING

Your academic experience

98 17 5 120 4.21 5

81.7% 14.2% 4.2% 100.0% 0.0%

Your student life experience

75 27 17 119 3.79 6

78.0% 17.8% 4.2% 100.0% 0.0%

Your personal development opportunities

92 21 5 118 4.17 7

75.8% 20.0% 4.2% 100.0% 0.0%

Your professional development opportunities

91 19 9 119 4.08 6

67.2% 21.8% 10.9% 100.0% 0.0%

Quality of instruction in your courses

91 24 5 120 4.07 5

75.8% 20.0% 4.2% 100.0% 4.0%

55.8%

54.6%

50.0%

58.1%

27.6%

35.3%

48.7%

51.7%

42.7%

64.7%

56.3%

40.8%

38.7%

44.9%

29.1%

44.0%

51.7%

31.1%

41.7%

42.7%

31.1%

39.5%

3.3%

6.7%

5.1%

12.8%

28.4%

12.9%

20.2%

6.7%

14.5%

4.2%

4.2%

Become an expert in your field

Be up to date with the latest research techniques

Write quality papers ready for publication

Present research results to an audience of peers or at aconference

Write grant proposals

Supervise others

Become a qualified teacher

Collaborate with a team

Become a team leader

Understand the principles of ethical conduct in research

Keep up with current advances in your field

Skills Enhancement as an Effect of Graduate Education

Not at all To some extent To a great extent


Page 32

Quality of your courses

90 25 5 120 4.05 5

75.0% 20.8% 4.2% 100.0% 4.0%

Academic mentoring support

80 26 13 119 3.86 6

67.2% 21.8% 10.9% 100.0% 4.8%

3.79

3.86

4.05

4.07

4.08

4.17

4.21








Students' Average Rating

81.7%

63.0%

78.0%

76.5%

75.8%

75.0%

67.2%

14.2%

22.7%

17.8%

16.0%

20.0%

20.8%

21.8%

4.2%

14.3%

4.2%

7.6%

4.2%

4.2%

10.9%








Students' Average Rating

Combined Fair & Poor Good Combined Excellent & Very Good


Page 33

HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE FOLLOWING SUPPORT SERVICES

COMBINED EXCELLENT AND VERY

GOOD

COMBINED GOOD AND AVERAGE

COMBINED POOR

AND FAIR

N/A TOTAL RATING AVERAGE

MISS-ING

Graduate Students Academic Workshops

56 28 3 27 114 4.67 11

49.1% 24.6% 2.6% 23.7% 100.0% 8.8%

Conference, Research and Study Abroad Support Grants

48 20 7 39 114 4.57 11

42.1% 17.5% 6.1% 34.2% 100.0% 8.8%

Bus Transportation schedule

32 34 14 35 115 3.95 10

27.8% 29.6% 12.2% 30.4% 100.0% 8.0%

Food service availability

37 51 24 3 115 3.75 10

32.2% 44.3% 20.9% 2.6% 100.0% 8.0%

Medical department services

38 32 7 38 115 4.34 10

33.0% 27.8% 6.1% 33.0% 100.0% 8.0%

Social activities for Graduate students

28 39 27 21 115 3.53 10

24.3% 33.9% 23.5% 18.3% 100.0% 8.0%

Services of the student counseling center

32 22 5 54 113 4.56 12

28.3% 19.5% 4.4% 47.8% 100.0% 9.6%

Services of the student mentoring unit

28 18 5 60 111 4.51 14

25.2% 16.2% 4.5% 54.1% 100.0% 11.2%

Career Center 39 29 8 38 114 4.38 11

34.2% 25.4% 7.0% 33.3% 100.0% 8.8%

Internship opportunities

32 28 16 38 114 3.88 11

28.1% 24.6% 14.0% 33.3% 100.0% 8.8%

Teaching assistantship opportunities

49 26 13 27 115 4.33 10

42.6% 22.6% 11.3% 23.5% 100.0% 8.0%

Work study opportunities

45 25 9 36 115 4.48 10

39.1% 21.7% 7.8% 31.3% 100.0% 8.0%

E-mail and internet services

85 29 1 1 116 5.13 9

73.3% 25.0% 0.9% 0.9% 100.0% 7.2%

WiFi services on campus

83 26 7 0 116 4.93 9

71.6% 22.4% 6.0% 0.0% 100.0% 7.2%

Photocopy & printing services on campus

71 37 9 0 117 4.67 8

60.7% 31.6% 7.7% 0.0% 100.0% 6.4%

Athletics department

51 20 4 39 114 4.92 11

44.7% 17.5% 3.5% 34.2% 100.0% 8.8%

Payment of stipend for fellows

45 27 14 28 114 4.20 11

39.5% 23.7% 12.3% 24.6% 100.0% 8.8%


Page 34

Public lectures and Seminars

63 31 7 14 115 4.61 10

54.8% 27.0% 6.1% 12.2% 100.0% 8.0%

Graduate Student Association

39 27 17 31 114 4.06 11

34.2% 23.7% 14.9% 27.2% 100.0% 8.8%

3.53

3.75

3.88

3.95

4.06

4.2

4.33

4.34

4.38

4.48

4.51

4.56

4.57

4.61

4.67

4.67

4.92

4.93

5.13









Career Center











Rating Average


Page 35

49.1%

42.1%

27.8%

32.2%

33.0%

24.3%

28.3%

25.2%

34.2%

28.1%

42.6%

39.1%

73.3%

71.6%

60.7%

44.7%

39.5%

54.8%

34.2%

24.6%

17.5%

29.6%

44.3%

27.8%

33.9%

19.5%

16.2%

25.4%

24.6%

22.6%

21.7%

25.0%

22.4%

31.6%

17.5%

23.7%

27.0%

23.7%

2.6%

6.1%

12.2%

20.9%

6.1%

23.5%

4.4%

4.5%

7.0%

14.0%

11.3%

7.8%

0.9%

6.0%

7.7%

3.5%

12.3%

6.1%

14.9%

23.7%

34.2%

30.4%

2.6%

33.0%

18.3%

47.8%

54.1%

33.3%

33.3%

23.5%

31.3%

0.9%

0.0%

0.0%

34.2%

24.6%

12.2%

27.2%









Career Center











Detailed Rating

N/A Combined Poor and Fair Combined Good and Average Combined Excellent and Very Good


Page 36

OVERALL, INDICATE YOUR LEVEL OF SATISFACTION AS A GRADUATE STUDENT AT AUC.


Very satisfied 50 42.7%

Satisfied 52 44.4%

Neutral 10 8.5%

Dissatisfied 4 3.4%

Very dissatisfied 1 0.9%

Total 117 100%

Missing 8 6%

42.7%44.4%

8.5%

3.4%0.9%

Very satisfied Satisfied Neutral Dissatisfied Very dissatisfied

Level of satisfaction as a Graduate Student at AUC


Page 37

Part IV: Comments and Suggestions for Improvement

WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS OF YOUR GRADUATE EXPERIENCE AT AUC?

Professors (23)

1. Colleagues and professors are gr8

2. Having excellent professors

3. Instructors are not just pure academics but practitioners in their fields with lots of experience in Egypt and the region, which is invaluable.

4. Quality instructors

5. The courses and faculty in the law department are incredible.

6. Courses content, courses variety, facilities, library, some faculty

7. The professors

8. My professors and department was amazing.

9. Supervisor is very helpful, chairman is very helpful and outstanding

10. There were some great instructors which like Dr. Aymen Ismail, Ali Awni , Eman Seoudi, Nizar Bishikh who had a very positive impact not only academically but shifting the way you deal in your day to day life.

11. The faculty

12. I had two or three professors that managed to lead class discussions in a way that made the material interesting and engaged the students on a deeper level.

13. Dr. Tamer Shoeib was new in the department, but made a high, positive impact that is highly appreciated. I was honoured to have him as my supervisor too. He is such a knowledgeable man with high experience in industry too.

14. I had the chance to meet professor from different academic backgrounds and that enhance my knowledge.

15. I believe every step in my way as a graduate student at AUC was an advantage. Being supervised by Prof. Adham Ramadan was a blessing.

16. strong Communication with faculty

17. discussions with professors

18. The university professors are high qualified.

19. Having Dr. Medhat Hassanien and Dr. Aliaa Bassiouny and Dr. Islam Azzam Beside that you do not have a program that even can satisfy an undergaduate

20. Getting to know many amazing people including my professors and my peers.

21. The faculty have very solid academic background and also practical experience.

22. Excellent professors

23. Great curriculum and professors.


Page 38

Quality of Education, Program Design and Course Contents (21)

1. I learned a lot and had new experiences in my field.

2. Interactive Teaching and Learning Environment Diverse Programs

3. I became updated regarding knowledge of my field. The courses are designed to be mind intriguing to force students to critically analyze the course materials and learn how to think before formulating opinions.

4. academic courses

5. The skills I learned to help me in my academic career of writing and reading complex studies

6. The choice of courses

7. some courses were really beneficial

8. Well rounded education

9. AUC offers a program (International Development) not available at other accredited universities in the region, and offers an opportunity for international students to find a learning environment that approaches the quality of an institution in the States. AUC offers an opportunity to study in a region in the Middle East that offers many opportunities for growth outside of the classroom, due to it's location in Egypt. In a very amazing way, AUC represents the best of what Egypt has to offer by being a powerful center of learning and critical thinking in a developing country.

10. Enhance my knowledge in my field

11. I learnt to take nothing for granted, to question everything.

12. excellent program

13. Assignments are useful and I was provided with both the theoretical and practical experience I needed.

14. The courses and faculty in the law department are incredible. Academically, I was pushed in exactly the way I was hoping for.

15. Courses content, courses variety

16. The opportunity to get involved in different disciplines and meet students from diverse fields of work and study

17. The educational experience was excellent. I could not be happier with the quality of education I received.

18. The experience The knowledge The curriculum

19. I had a great experience to be honest, the highlights were: The Chemistry department is very strong in terms of education and collaboration. The program is new in Egypt and very promising in the Food Industry career.

20. strong Curriculum

21. Strong program


Page 39

Research (4)

1. Great potential for research.

2. Growing as a researcher and identifying my field of interest.

3. Research resources are excellent, enhancement of my academic, research and brain storming skills.

4. exposure to latest research techniques and the general state of art

Peers and Colleagues, Student Activities and Student life (8)

1. Social Life with undergraduate activities.

2. It increased my network of people working with similar interests in sustainable development but in a variety of fields.

3. The opportunity to get involved in different disciplines and meet students from diverse fields of work and study

4. Colleagues and professors are gr8

5. Meeting new students; in-class debates and discussions; discussions with professors

6. Getting to know many amazing people including my professors and my peers.

7. AUC is strong in terms of building personal skills and is offering good opportunities to enhance work experience for graduate students. I was able to volunteer and to work as teacher assistant in the Chemistry Department for 4 different courses. I was also able to work as a student technology assistant in the Center for Learning and Teaching (CLT) Department. I also worked as an editor for Caravan and The Assembly on campus.

8. AUC as a university is a great place of choice. I did not only enjoy my academic life but other reactions like sports. Thank you to the never ending activities on campus like theater shows, art and music. Thank you so much AUC.

International Experience (3)

1. Basically it is the exchange with the faculty and the students from different backgrounds and good academic standards

2. my experience in studying one semester abroad was perfect and extremely helpful for my degree and thesis writing, since all the courses I have studied abroad do not have an equivalent in the AUC

3. Great potential for research. Exposure to international experiences (faculty, and conferences). Great library.

Facilities (8)

1. Campus resources, especially the library, are excellent.

2. Online library

3. having excellent professors, up to date curricula, access to multiple facilities and services

4. The university professors are high qualified. The training/ practical parts were realistic and helpful. The facilities on campus are convenient.


Page 40

5. The faculty have very solid academic background and also practical experience. The library services are very good.

6. Courses content, courses variety, facilities, library, some faculty

7. Research resources are excellent, enhancement of my academic, research and brain storming skills.

8. I had a great experience to be honest, the highlights were: AUC as a university is a great place of choice. I did not only enjoy my academic life but other reactions like sports. High variety of food available on the campus. Buses are available most of the day. Library has a lot of books and the accessibility to online research is outstanding.

Others (10)

1. Creative thinking and critical thinking development is encouraged

2. Being able to find a great internship.

3. Enhancing my characteristics and improving my teaching skills

4. real life experience and diverse teaching methods

5. Improving my academic English

6. I became more knowledgeable than before on the best methods of teaching and the current theories on research analysis and assessment.

7. learning a lot about world class research and how it could be applied

8. Enhances skills and professional expertise, Boosts career advancement potential, Facilitates the development of new skills Serves as a gateway to a master's degree program and Extends pursuit of life-long learning

9. Academically, I have gained a lot during my graduate studies.

10. CAPS!

None (1)


Page 41

WHAT ARE THE WEAKNESSES OF YOUR GRADUATE EXPERIENCE AT AUC?

Quality of Education (10)

1. AUC still seems to be the last option for most people pursuing graduate studies, who would rather travel to a top school abroad.

2. Did not gain the academic attributes I believed to be associated with a Masters level program

3. course offerings was not good enough

4. some faculty, some Courses content, quality of students and student life.

5. many classes were just a waste of time schedule was not fitting what i needed and so had to change my major. evaluation of professors- we never felt were taken into consideration.

6. the program was not well prepared and it was based on trial and error on us

7. Some core classes were late. Core classes should be offered in two different time slots.

8. Lack of variety in resources (one course book and a research articles are not enough for a Master's degree)

9. organization of the program Unclear documents for thesis that pops up in the last second more than 50% of the courses offered are theoretical!!!

10. The teaching methods are redundant and don't speak to a high quality of education. And again, this is one of the most poorly designed graduate programs I have ever seen - it needs a complete organisational overhaul.

Courses availability and variety (7)

1. unavailability of some courses of interest

2. Shortage in some specialization (Public health)

3. the inavalability of some courses or topics that relates to the masters

4. Variety of courses are low.

5. no courses offered

6. Course offerings were limited and I didn't have the liberty to choose from a big variety.

1

3

4

8

8

10

21

23

None

International Experience

Research

Peers and Colleagues, Student Activities and Student life

Facilities

Others

Quality of Education

Professors

Strengths of the AUC Experience


Page 42

7. I would have appreciated greater flexibility in tailoring the program to meet my academic needs with replacing key classes.

Graduate Advisor and/ or Thesis Supervisor (9)

1. The graduate advisor wasn't supportive and guiding well

2. Thesis advising and availability of advisors and readers who have time

3. supervision

4. The thesis supervision was not perfect, the supervisor was always busy, does not have time to read my work, and his/her comments were always late

5. I needed more training and more mentoring.

6. There seems to be a shortage of professors available for thesis advising and the ones that are have very little time for it. I thankfully did not encounter this problem personally but I saw it happen over and over again.

7. More Professors should be available to give more research choices.

8. Thesis supervision was not that good and professors ere late in giving feedback. Some professors didn't provide sufficient feedback on the thesis and assignments.

Peers and Colleagues (9)

1. The graduate students in the TAFL program are almost uncultivated and uncommunicative. There is no social life or social possible acativity with them.

2. little activities and opportunities of interaction for graduate students

3. Poor english language of some classmates

4. There was no spirit of community at the university and the Egyptian students made no efforts whatsoever to be inclusive with their foreign colleagues. This was shocking because Egyptians are generally incredibly warm and hospitable, but the student body at AUC was the great exception. Furthermore, in my courses the level of the Egyptian students was very, very low, and this detracted greatly from the learning experience. AUC should put much more effort towards tightening admissions standards and more time should be spent during undergraduate students freshman year in shaping them into the sorts of students that are able to take advantage of an American style education. Cheating, plagiarism, and complaining about workloads was constant.

5. peer students

6. The academic competence of peers in my program was severely lacking, clearly due to an overly open admissions policy. This in turn seemed to lessen the academic expectations of the faculty, as the average student was unable to function at the normal level of a graduate program

7. I think there is a big gap between the caliber of the undergraduate student body and the graduate student body.

8. Heterogeneous MA students which makes one question why low levels were accepted in the program.

9. quality of students and student life.


Page 43

Professors and Teaching Assistants (4)

1. Not all teaching staff follow the standards set by GSE. I find it absurd that someone coming from the PED and years of teaching experience is granted the same academic footing of a BA-freshly graduated. There should be some sort of academic (and/or financial?) facilitation to those who bring in the program their experience, as they make the entire GSE community reacher.

2. Lack of teaching staff

3. Poor quality of teaching assistants

4. While some professors had competence in English at an academic level, there were several Arab and ESL professors whose English (despite being relatively advanced) was still not sufficient to fully lead at a graduate level.

5. Evaluation of professors- we never felt were taken into consideration.

Discrimination (2)

1. How some of the American professors discriminate between native speakers and non native speakers. It really affected me

2. Unequality in the choice of the teashing assistants because the secretary of the department made theses choices not the professors and for example this semester, they chose a college from outside the AUC with no experience or master degree for a lab that needs experience and master degree and they ignore all the experties in the department.

Also, many colleges come from another universities and take supervisors from AUC, they pay no fees and do not take any courses in the AUC and they use our research labs and instruments and this causes many grad and undergrad students to complain because their work is delayed due to the crowd around the instruments.

In other words, there should be strict regulations on giving the priority to the AUC students in using instruments and research labs and working as T.As as all the universities do with their students and also there should be strict regulations on the departments secretary to ensure the equality and to be sure they made their selections to whom can work as a T.A independently on race, sex, religion or political points of view. Finally, i hope that the AUC students should be considered and to be given priorities over the students coming from outside universities.

Research Difficulties and Research Grants (2)

1. Limited budget for research grants

2. my program didn't offer research methods course, which made that portion of my thesis a bit more difficult than it had to be

3. In terms of facilities and research possibilities, AUC failed to satisfy my dreams. AUC has a very slow and bureaucratic system. Verification of grant application took so long, and I received chemicals and material after 4 - 12 months! It was also hard to get permissions from faculty to use available facilities. Faculty didn't even know whether certain facilities were under their own supervision or under the supervision of other faculty staff! The system and the staff in Youssef Jameel Science and Technology Research Center (YJSTRC) were unproductive except for very few personnel. Furthermore, limited spaces were allocated for research labs, and our research lab was not equipped and we had to work in the teaching labs for undergraduate students. Moreover, we did not have access to the teaching labs and we had to wait for the staff in the Chemistry Department to allow us access to such labs.


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Graduate Services, Facilities, Graduate Events and Bureaucracy (11)

1. Not Focused on Graduate Services

2. little activities and opportunities of interaction for graduate students

3. Overall I am very satisfied with my experience at AUC. The only place that I was not pleased to go was the clinic as despite the fact that the doctors were very competent ; one of the staff at the reception desk treated me rudely and badly. I could not imagine that AUC cannot afford to hire decent staff at the Clinic.

4. I often felt like graduate students are left out from nearly every student activities. I remember vividly that I and some of my colleagues were interested in the "welcome to AUC" event which took place in front of the library. The organizers were handing out some goodies to everyone showing his/her student ID as a form of welcoming them to university. Me and my friends thought it would be nice to get one of those welcome bag so we queued for about half an hour only to be sent away by the organizers because we were graduate students, a.k.a. "not" eligible for the welcome package. The second point which is very upsetting is that the university does not organize a cap and gown (as in "photo day") event for graduate students. The excuses I have heard as the rationale for this decision are just plain ridiculous and made-up. One of them being the difficulty to gather all grad students on the same day at the same time - this may be, indeed, hard to do on a regular day. However, it is easily fixable by holding the gap and gown after the commencement ceremony. I do not think grad students are less eligible to these events/services than undergrad students.

5. bureaucracy

6. Labs are not accessible in weekends

7. Communication with some staff was not efficient as they do not respond to emails and some of them never answer the phone.

8. 1- Food not very available when it gets late because of our night classes.

9. 2- No much activities for graduate students.

10. 3- I just learnt that every graduate student has a printing free credit every semester that I never used except yesterday.

11. By far, a significant weakness of AUC is the bureaucracy of various support offices. Accomplishing simple tasks as an international student was difficult and lacked the professionalism that would be expected at a comparable university in the West. For example, in order to get a visa in the passport requires a multi-step, multi-day process through a variety of office. Most of these offices closed at 2:00pm, before most graduate students would be on campus.

Others (7)

1. The loss of Dr. Mohamad ElMasry because of his political beliefs.

2. There was not much assistance with career seeking for graduate students.

3. The Arabic exam

4. For me, the travel everyday was the major obstacle. I'm supporting a family so I had to work full time in Tanta city and come all the way to AUC to complete my MSc requirements. The weakness, I believe, is not from AUC.

5. Being overwhelmed by the amount of work I have to do.

6. Program is too long

7. Outside of my department, nearly every aspect of my experience at AUC was poor. Because all of the events are at the New Cairo Campus and because of my research and work requirements, I could never attend anything. Additionally,

None (5)


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2

2

4

5

7

7

9

9

10

11

Discrimination

Research Difficulties and Research Grants

Professors and Teaching Assistants

None

Others

Courses Availability and Variety

Graduate Advisor and/ or Thesis Supervisor

Peers and Colleagues

Quality of Education

Graduate Services, Facilities, Graduate Events and…

Weaknesses of AUC Experience


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ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS

Advising and Supervision (4)

1. there should be a kind of monitoring for the advisors advising quality to their graduate students with evaluation forms for instance

2. Incentives for professors to advise thesis, and adding evaluations by students like normal courses. So that there are incentives for time and effort dedication from the advisors' side when at least positive feedback is put in their records if no money incentive will be given for them.

3. guidance and supervision. Also flexibility and professionalism are needed

4. More counseling for graduate students for once they are completing their degree would be very helpful.

Graduate Services, Facilities and Student Activities (9)

1. At least pretend to care about the students that are only supposed to be on campus for two years rather than focusing solely on the students that take 5-7 years to finish an undergraduate degree.

2. Give sessions and support TAFL graduates to integrate with the open culture of AUC. There may be some mandatory fun and integration programs for them.

3. More activities for the graduate students with more opportunities for involvement

4. External industry trips or collaboration.

5. AUC has to re-consider its slow and bureaucratic system to help students graduate within specified time for graduation without delay. The administrative rules in the Chemistry Department should be re-considered and it is important to give access to graduate students to all research and teaching labs to help them conduct their practical work instead of waiting for the staff to give them access to these labs! The safety system should also be re-considered as we encountered problematic issues in the Chemistry Department such as shutting down the suction system to save energy, although it is well known that we deal with dangerous and carcinogenic chemicals that require the suction system to be operating 24/7!

6. - Delegate two days of the week where support offices will consistently be open later than 2:00pm or 3:00pm in order to allow for graduate students to be able to accomplish their registration tasks without taking days off of work. Likewise, extend the library hours to accommodate graduate students. - Work to decrease the rampant entitlement among undergraduate students by through key programs which develop the broader community of AUC. Seek outside consultation regarding this growing issue.

7. More printing locations on campus, not only the library. Food availability for late night classes. Buses could be more easier to drop students other than assembly points especially 9;15 and 10:15 pm buses.

8. There are no activities for graduate students, no cap and gown (photo day) as if they are not part of the aux community.

9. Please organize a "photo day" for graduate students. I cannot speak for other departments; however, my colleagues in the department were all shocked and upset when they found out that we do not have a Cap and Gown event. We are probably going to take pictures ourselves, though I do not understand why the university cannot provide this for us.

Admissions and Student Acceptance Criteria (2)

1. Harder entry requirement


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2. Find and implement ways to select better quality of students and enhance student life. Remove the low and medium rated (evaluated by students) faculty.

3. - Seek a higher level of academia in the graduate classrooms by tightening the admissions restrictions. Most of my classmates were not writing at even a bachelor's level of English, nor knew how to compose a persuasive and coherent research paper. - Also, raise the expectations among faculty for the level of academia in the classroom.

Programs Enhancement (4)

1. Need to make AUC more attractive to the droves of students and AUCians looking to do their graduate studies abroad. There are lots of students coming back to the country after completing their MBAs at Ivy League schools for example, maybe AUC can reach out to them to help emulate their experience here? Maybe compare it with an MBA student's experience in AUC to help identify what gaps can be realistically filled?

2. The range of courses available for graduate students is wider and more comprehensive. The timing of these courses should also be more graduates-oriented.

3. More courses; more opportunities at collaboration with other universities; more fieldtrips.

4. Child psychology course

Others (15)

1. More work experience

2. Extending the faculty circle to get a better quality of instructors and supervisors for theses

3. Marketing dept. cant be closed on one professor. Revisit the MBA program.

4. Increase the level of engagement of graduate students with locally operating companies and even governmental sector.

5. Starting PhD

6. Allow Graduate students to access library resources as Alumni Include graduate students in more university activities

7. If GSE could develop a PhD program, i'm sure that some TA's would serve better than some of the current staff. I also fear that tenure is a liability to quality of teaching. GSE students should be encouraged and required to produce literature, co-editing with professors. Sometimes i felt that GSE has too many researchers (some of them with very little intention to work as educators) and too few school teachers. The risk is that we create a researcher-only bubble and we loose track of the mission of GSE.

8. to be able to obtain PHD from the university in the field of the public policy.

9. Fix all of the mentioned above

10. Improve fellowship opportunities as the stipends are very low and the bus fees are too high.

11. More internship/career opportunities specifically aimed at MSc in Finance students.

12. 1. Improve system of the department

13. Need more professional education


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14. Continue to develop feedback mechanisms. The post-course feedback survey is helpful, but needs to be expanded.

15. - Begin survey and investigation for Dr. Adel Beshai. I have profound respect for his knowledge of his field, however more than once, in more than one course, I have witnessed completely unacceptable behavior toward students whom he considers as incompetent. Anger, bullying, and emotional abuse should be unacceptable in the classroom, regardless of a faculty member's tenure. Please kept this suggestion anonymous.

2

4

4

9

15

Admissions and Students acceptance criteria

Advising and Supervision

Programs Enhancement

Graduate Services, Facilities and Student Activities

Others

Students' Recommendations

graduates exit survey spring 2015 - auc intranet - home · 2016-04-05 · summer 2012 fall 2012...

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