The quality assessment of undergraduate agricultural extension and education's minor curriculum (Case study: Khuzestan Ramin University of Agriculture and Natural Resources)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD. Student, Agriculatural Extension, Agricultural and Natural Retours Ramin University, University of Khozestan, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Agriculatural Extension, Agricultural and Natural Retours Ramin University, University of Khozestan, Iran

Abstract

In the beginning of the 2000s, the curriculum of Agricultural Extension andEducation undergraduate program has been revised. Toward decreasing its inefficiency agricultural minor courses has been added to the curriculum. After a decade of implementing the curriculum, its quality is questionable. In this regards, this study was undertaken to assess the quality of Agricultural Extension and Education' minor courses in Khuzestan Ramin University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Regarding data collection this study was a quantitative and descriptive–survey based. All 120 B.A. graduates of Agricultural Extension and Education course at theUniversity in three consecutive periods were considered as the statistical population (N=120). From which 92 graduates were selected randomly as a sample based on Krejcie and Morgan's table. Researcher-made questionnaire consisting of two main constructs of quality was based on the World Bank's two main elements of definition of quality: "Learning outcomes" and "Learning environment" which were measured using the five point Likert scale. The results stated that most participants tend to prefer to have name of their course on their final certificate and in their opinion the subjects were useful. The respondents also assessed the variable of learning environment at an undesirable level and the variable of learning outcomes and the quality of the subjects at a desirable level. They also found that the faculty members of other courses did not have a positive outlook towards students of Agricultural Extension and Education course. They also declared that agricultural promotion and training course at the present state cannot prepare students to enter the job market. The type of subject selection for the course and the type of family activities presented a significance difference between the main research variables.

Keywords

References

Akbari lakeh, M., Karimi Mounaghi, H., & Isanlou, O. (2011). Return on Investment” Model for Educational Planning. Horizons of Medical Education Development, 4(3), 27-31.
Babbar, S. (1995). Applying total quality management to educational instruction: A case study from a US public university. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 8(7), 35-55.
Baum, S., & Payea, K. (2005). The Benefits of Higher Education for Individuals and Society. College Board, Connect to college success. Available in: www.collegeboard.com
Bloom, D., Canning, D., & Chan, K. (2006). Higher Education and Economic Development in Africa. Human Development Sector Africa Region. HARVARD UNIVERSITY.
Ermer, D. S. (1995). Using QFD becomes an educational experience for students and faculty. Quality Progress, 28(5), 131-138.
ÜNAL, Ö. F. (2001). APPLICATION OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. Journal of Qafqaz University, (7), 1.
Hewitt, F., & Clayton, M. (1999). Quality and complexity–lessons from English higher education. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 16(9), 838-858.
Hwarng, H. B., & Teo, C. (2001). Translating customers’ voices into operations requirements-A QFD application in higher education. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 18(2), 195-226.
Johnston, R. (1995). The determinants of service quality: satisfiers and dissatisfiers. International Journal of Service industry management, 6(5), 53-71.
Kaissi, B., Chahine, S. A., & Jammal, A. (2009). Theme: New Approaches to Quality Assurance In The Changing World of Higher Education. Title: Towards a New Higher Education Quality Assurance System for Lebanon.
Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational Psychological Measurement, 30, 607-610.
Medinschi, S., & Kysilka, D. (2011). TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION SERVICES BASIC PRINCIPLES. Anale. Seria Ştiinţe Economice. Timişoara, (XVII), 240-246.
Manjunatha, K., & Shivalingaiah, D. (2004). Customer's perception of service quality in libraries. Annals of Library and Information Studies, 51(4), 145-151.
Materu, P. N. (2007). Higher education quality assurance in Sub-Saharan Africa: status, challenges, opportunities and promising practices (No. 124). World Bank Publications.
MSRT, Ministry of Science, Research and Technology High Council planning. (2002). General Characteristics of Agricultural Extension and Education Program and undergraduate courses. Ratified by 414high Council meeting scheduled. (In Persian).
Mojaradi, Gh., & Tohidlu, Sh. (2011). Expectations of students of Zanjan University of Agricultural Operations Course. Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research. 2-42(2), 285-275. (In Persian).
Moshref javadi, M., Kurang beheshti, A., & Mohammadi esfehani, N. (2008). The review of higher education System in world and Iran. Congress of the Humanities. Available in: http://www.ensani.ir/fa/content/87368/default.aspx. (In Persian).
Nicolescu, L. (2009). APPLYING MARKETING TO HIGHER EDUCATION: SCOPE AND LIMITS. Management & Marketing, 4(2), 35-44.
Rowley, J. (1997); “Beyond Service Quality Dimensions in Higher Education”; Quality Assurance in Education, 5 (1), 7-14.
Sahney, S., Banwet, D. K., & Karunes, S. (2004). Customer requirement constructs: the premise for TQM in education: a comparative study of select engineering and management institutions in the Indian context. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 53(6), 499-520.
Shadfar, H., Liaghatdar, M., & Sharif, M. (2011). Conformity Assessment of Educational Planning & Management curriculum to students' needs. Quarterly journal of Research and Planning in Higher Education, 62. 146-123. (In Persian).
The World Bank. (1995). Priorities and strategies for education. Manufactured in the United States of America. ISBN 0-8213-331 1-9.
Tofighi, Sh., Fallah, M., & Khaje azad, M. (2012). The quality assessment of educational leadership in baghiatollah hospital based on Excellence Model of Malcolm Baldrige. Journal of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Year XVI, No. 2 (follow 63), Summer 2012. (In Persian).
UNSCO, iiep, International Institute for Educational Planning. (2007). Higher education and development. Newsletter, Vol. XXV, N° 1.
Wemmenhove, R., & Groot, T. (2001); Principles for University Curriculum Greening”; International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, McB University Press, 2(3), 267-283. Available at: http://www. Emerald - library.com.

Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research
Volume 46, Issue 3 - Serial Number 3
October 2015
Pages 589-598

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics