Students' perceptions of their learning of graduate attributes at the University of the Western Cape

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT :Student voices are notably absent from academic discourse on graduate attributes (GAs) assuch attributes are often constructed and conceptualised from the viewpoint of educationalinstitutions, government and industry. The overarching aim of the study was to gain deeperinsight into how students understand graduate attributes to be developed and learnt within theinstitutional context of one higher education institution, namely the University of the WesternCape (UWC). With students increasingly being challenged to assume greater responsibility fortheir own growth and development, it is imperative that they be brought into the discussionaround graduate attributes.This study involved participants registered as UWC students and involved in the programmeofferings of the Leadership and Social Responsibility (LSR) office in 2016. Within aninterpretive knowledge position, an exploratory institutional case study design was utilised.Qualitative data were generated through the use of two focus group interviews, one individualinterview as well as photo elicitation activities over a period of three weeks.The main study findings indicated that students hold some measure of understanding of whatgraduate attributes are, how they acquire these attributes and that they are important in thecontext of increasing students' employability. It also emerged that the staff at the institutionplay a vital role in how graduate attributes are learnt and developed. There appears to be anexpressed need that graduate attributes should be embedded within all facets of the institutionand, importantly, students' own self-interest has a crucial role within how graduate attributesare taken up.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University