From Global Insights to Local Applications: Analyzing Student Engagement Strategies for Pakistani Higher Education

Abstract

Student engagement has garnered significant attention in educational discourse over the past two decades. Research underscores the significance of student engagement in fostering positive academic outcomes for students, along with increased institutional effectiveness. Considering the significance of engagement for enhancing students' learning outcomes, the universities have increasingly prioritized student engagement as a crucial aspect of educational quality. A pivotal approach adopted by many institutions to assess and enhance student engagement is through the implementation of international student engagement surveys. The effective application of engagement indicators gleaned from these global surveys holds promise for fostering similar improvements in universities across different countries, especially the developing ones such as Pakistan. Considering this background, the main purpose of this qualitative research study was to analyze student engagement strategies as reflected in the global student engagement surveys and then to draw implications for universities in Pakistani from global insights. This research employed qualitative research approach and the data were meticulously gathered from publicly accessible documents, specifically focusing on five international student engagement surveys employed by universities across six countries. To analyze the data, thematic analysis was used. Thematic analysis revealed that five major themes or students' engagement strategies emerged from analysis of five surveys include: academic engagement; social engagement; educational environment; teaching and learning quality; and personal development and critical thinking. The implication of the results of this study for Pakistani universities is to focus on higher-order learning, active learning, integrative learning opportunities, learning with peers, staff-student interaction, supportive and inclusive environment, reflective practices, personal development and on lifelong learning of students as a tool for student engagement.