Peer Mentoring as a Strategy for Social Cohesion in Universities in Pakistan Nosheen Rachel Naseem Middlesex University, London 20/03/20121
Context - Pakistan
Rationale Developing country Current situation – strategic importance politically and geographically Students - agents of change; will be opinion leaders of the country in near future HE institutions in Pakistan lack funds for co-curricular activities Little or no structured peer mentoring in universities for student support. Lacks evidence of potential value compared to schemes in developed countries
Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan in 2007 (Statistics Division, Government of Pakistan, 2008)
Number of Public and Private sector universities & DAIs in Pakistan (Higher Education Commission, Pakistan 2010)
1. Mentoring by a senior student is beneficial to new/junior students 2. Structured training and support is necessary for student mentors to ensure that they offer appropriate help to their peers 3. Peer mentoring improves key skills of mentors and mentees and has an impact on their learning 4. Mentoring challenges established hierarchical learning patterns and introduces a different culture of learning in the university. Hypotheses
Implementation of the mentoring process Establishing permission and support from University Preparation of resource materials (mentoring handbook, training manuals and logbooks etc) Selection of the participants (mentoring coordinators, mentors and mentees) Training the participants Monitoring and overall evaluation of the mentoring process Conclusions and emerging themes
Practitioner/Action Research Structured peer mentoring, as a problem solution tool is based on a series of revised plans following observation and reflection. Plan – Peer mentoring to support student learning in Pakistan Act - Introduction of Peer Mentoring project for one academic year Observe – Monitoring and Interim review Reflect – Evaluation of mentoring at the end of the academic year
Participants in the mentoring project
Research Findings…. 1. Problems faced by university students 1a) Academic issues for students1b) Social/Psychological/other issues
Research Findings... 2.The concept of senior students mentoring juniors in a structured form is NEW to the existing learning culture in universities in Pakistan. 3.The new/junior students feel more comfortable in discussing personal and academic issues with the senior peers than with the academic faculty. 4.Mentors developed key skills such as goal-setting, decision making, problem-solving and effective communication through training and practice. 5. Mentors and mentees developed strong sense of peer support and mutual learning. 6. Alumni report greater awareness and participation in community learning in employment and social life.
Emerging themes.... Social and community responsibility Participating universities extending project Changes taking place in learning culture in University Mentoring gives students in Pakistan (as in Europe) a stronger sense of ownership of their learning Graduates reflect improved understanding of the contribution of mentoring in developing lifelong learning skills. Extending mentoring improves students’ engagement with learning communities
Training workshops, group interviews & certificate award ceremony...
References Cohen, L., Manion, L. and Morrison, K. (2011) Research Methods in Education, New York: Routledge. Higher Education Commission, Pakistan., available online at: (accessed on 12/01/2010) Iqbal, H., (2011) Education in Pakistan Lahore: Oxford University Press Kemmis, S. and McTaggart, R. (1988) The Action Research Planner. Victoria, Australia: Deakin. Statistics Division, Government of Pakistan., available online at: (accessed on 17/02/2010).
Contact details: Nosheen Rachel Naseem Middlesex University The Burroughs NW4 4BT London, UK