17th ISANA VIC/TAS Conference 2016 WHAT IS ACADEMIC SUCCESS FOR INTERNATIONAL POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS? A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF STUDENT AND STAFF PERSPECTIVES AT A MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITY Dr Jasvir Kaur Nachatar Singh Early Career Development Fellow La Trobe University Melbourne, Australia 17th ISANA VIC/TAS Conference 2016  

Outline Research Journey Research Findings Implications of Findings

How this study came about? Personal & Academic reasons Why Malaysia? Why international postgraduate students?

What is academic success?

ARE THESE SUFFICIENT AS PROXY TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS ??? THE USUAL SUSPECTS Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), Grade Point Average (GPA) and/or Time taken to complete a course or degree as the proxy for academic success ARE THESE SUFFICIENT AS PROXY TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS ???

FINDINGS

Academic Success

Contribution Literature Findings Academic achievement Grades Personal skills Exploration of international life Application of knowledge to society Research and publication skills Grades Time taken to complete studies

Implications of these findings Contribution to theory – first study to breakthrough the traditional concept Practical Build research skills environment Assimilation programs Workshops, programs on building soft skills Integrate EMPLOYABILITY skills in the subjects

So, what are the factors and challenges to academic success? In the Western world - limited connections are made between adjustment experiences and academic success. In Malaysia, research studies are mainly focused on adjustment and general challenges of undergraduate international students in Malaysia.

Institutional Facilities Factors of achieving academic success Individual Characteristics Family & Friends

Interesting Points to note Literature Findings Institutional Facilities - Faculty - Library Services - PSO - Hostel Individual Characteristics Family & Friends Academic Success Achievement English Interaction with peers and lecturers Library services Financial Accommodation Academic & Social Adjustment Purposes

Challenges of Achieving Academic Success English & Malay Languages Quality of Supervision Library Research Training Social Accommodation Homesickness Barriers of Friendship Financial General Living Conditions

Interesting Points to note Literature Findings English Interaction with peers and lecturers Library services Financial Accommodation Loneliness/Homesickness Academic & Social Adjustment Purposes English & Malay Languages Quality of Supervision Library Research Training Accommodation Homesickness Barriers of Friendship Financial General Living Conditions Academic Success Achievement

Implications of these findings Contribution to theory (body of knowledge) Practical Build research skill environment Assimilation programs Supervision system

Thank YOU